The visit was very well organized, and we were all very impressed with the quality of all the speakers. Many of the outings and topics were lead by students from Evenstad College, and their ability to deliver their message in a foreign language was humbling. Even more impressive was the manner in which they handled the multitude of diverse questions, clearly demonstrating their grasp of the topic and their interest. Our Norwegian hosts were unfailingly warm and generous, and the visit has left a deep impression on all who participated.   more »

A joint report compiled by the seven participants in this exchange visit to North West Poland. The group visited the Warta and Wolinski National Parks and numeous sites of interest along the Odra River. The visit was hosted by the Society of the Coast (EUCC - Poland).   more »

Igor Maher, who talked to the group about the 1001 ponds project and gave a presentation about the Pliskovica community programme, sent these pictures via Bojan.  Click on the attachments link to look at these pictures in pdf format.

...I found the exchange to be highly rewarding. It has brought to the fore, new ideas and methods as regards the interpretation of natural and cultural heritage. The importance of pristine environments, the proximity of nature, “immersion in nature”... Paul Morgan   more »

After the communist system collapsed in Latvia, in the early 90s, the land management agencies had to re-invent themselves and their systems. Latvia is now undergoing another great change with its recent accession into the EU   more »

Day 1: Edinburgh to Nuremberg (via Frankfurt) by Air; Arrival at the airport. Bernd Bluemlein will be there and welcome you...

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The oldest rocks in Iceland are only 14 million years old, hence the soils are low in nutrients and humus. The climate conditions are harsh with long cold winters and short cool summers. This means that vegetation needs to be specialised and in general has a slow recovery rate from disturbance. This combines with the low rainfall   more »

At the time of settlement in the late 9th century, it is thought there was 60% vegetation cover, trees covered 30% of the available land surface to an altitude of around 600m. The woodlands comprised of Downey Birch (Betula pendula), Rowan (Sorbus auccuparia), Aspen (Populus tremula), Willows (salix lannata and salix panifolia). These species formed the main structural...   more »

Slovakia and Poland joined the EU on 1 May 2004. With this came an entirely new mountain range to the EC Alpine region – the Carpathians. The Carpathians are the youngest and most easterly of the mountains in the Alpine region, only a third of the range is currently in the EU. Part of Slovakia (35%) along its southern regions is also in the EC Pannonian region.    more »

One hundred and fourteen species of European conservation concern breed in Slovakia. Of these, four species are of global concern: white tailed eagle, imperial eagle, great bustard and corncrake    more »

Watch out for bears!   more »

The area has a varied management history. Until the 15 century the area was covered with dense forest. It was then partly cleared for grazing. During the communist era grazing of the plateau declined and part of the site was planted with pine, which are still growing on the site today. For the last 20 years the importance of managing the grassland areas has been recognised and a herd of Marino sheep are grazed here from March to November, being kept in barns in winter. The intensity of grazing varies widely from area   more »