News

Between March and April 2025, the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas in Varaždin County (JU ZDP VZ) continued to implement the Rivers’cool educational programme, organising five workshops for primary school students from various schools in the county. Around a hundred students from primary schools in Varaždin, Veliki Bukovec and Sveti Đurđ have so far participated in the spring cycle of workshops.

During the workshops, the students took part in a spring nature quest, exploring the forest in search of early spring flowers. They also learnt about the vertical structure of the forest, from the forest floor to the canopy, and discovered how different animal species are adapted to each layer of the forest. Particular attention was given to the bird species inhabiting the Mura-Drava Regional Park. Through interactive activities, the students learnt about the characteristics of various birds and constructed model nests using natural materials from the surroundings based on species-specific descriptions.

Around 300 children are expected to take part in the spring cycle of Rivers’cool 2025, gaining knowledge through play, discovery and direct contact with nature. At the end of each workshop, all participants will receive a Rivers’cool educational set to remind them of the experience and encourage them to continue exploring and caring for the environment.