The areas of Medvednica and Biokovo were declared nature parks on this date in 1981. Apart from being mountainous, these two protected areas are also similar because their foothills are densely populated, the connection between the population and the mountains has been present for centuries, and in modern times these areas are extremely visited and marked by tourist activities and influences – the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Energy.
Medvednica Nature Park is located north of Zagreb. For the capital of Croatia, this mountain range, with the highest peak Sljeme at an altitude of 1035 meters, has exceptional value - not only from an ecological point of view (protection of soil from erosion, prevention of torrents, impact on climate, air and water quality), but also aesthetic , symbolic, recreational, health and tourist aspects. Apart from the area of the City of Zagreb, this protected area of 179 square kilometers covers part of the area of Zagreb and Krapina-Zagorje counties.
Public institution "Nature Park Medvednica" will mark the 39th birthday of the Park on Sunday, June 28th, with educational and entertainment events on the meadow next to the Tourist Apartments "Snow Queen" from 11 am to 2 pm. The SINCERE project (Encouraging Innovation in Forest Ecosystem Services), which is currently being implemented, will be presented there, and its goal is to valorize the recreational and health function of Medvednica forest ecosystem services and raise awareness of forest ecosystem services.
Mount Biokovo is part of the Dinarides mountain massif, it forms the natural hinterland of the Makarska Riviera, and the area of 193 square kilometeres, 30 kilometers long has been put in the category of nature park. Apart from its location, Biokovo is unique because of its geomorphology and biological diversity, which were the main reasons for declaring the mountain Biokovo a nature park in 1981.
The highest peak of the mountain is Sveti Jure at 1762 meters above sea level, making Biokovo the second highest mountain in Croatia. In addition to hiking trails, a 23 kilometer long road leads to the top, which is also the highest paved road in Croatia.
In the Biokovo Nature Park, visitors can hike on more than 20 hiking trails, visit the botanical garden "Kotisina", as well as numerous educational trails, Info Center Ravna Vlaska with a lookout and visit the presentation centers "Brela Gornja" and "Adrion - the heart of the mountain" in Makarska.
Public institution "Biokovo Nature Park" is currently implementing the project "New Adrion - Promoting the sustainable use of natural heritage PP Biokovo" funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020. The most impressive part of the project is certainly Skywalk in the area of Ravna Vlaska - the construction of a horseshoe-shaped belvedere outside the cliff with a glass surface for walking.
In addition, the project plans to set up a geological pillar, arrange a visitor center in Zupa and arrange Rodiceva street, which will convert the existing macadam road into a pedestrian and bicycle path about 7 kilometers long.
Also, in cooperation with the association "Geopark Imotska jezera" it is planned to apply Geopark Biokovo - Imotska jezera in the UNESCO world program of geoparks. This would enable the launch of various production and service activities that contribute to the socio-economic development of the local community.
