VIPava

VIPava - Measures for the conservation and improvement of the status of endangered animal species and habitats in the Vipava valley

Seven partners have joined forces under the project VIPava to help conserve and improve the status of endangered animal species and habitats in the Vipava valley, in particular by restoring the habitats for the following endangered species: Italian agile frog (Rana latastei), Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex), yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata), European ground beetle (Carabus variolosus), European otter (Lutra lutra), lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor), woodlark (Lullula arborea), scarce large blue (Phengaris teleius), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and stag beetle (Lucanus cervus). VIPava is one of the first ERDF-funded environmental projects combining conservation measures for a variety of animal species and supporting the setting up of green infrastructure along the Vipava River. The measures include the renaturation of two side channels of the Vipava River, redesign of four upstream artificial barriers impassable for fish and design of fish passages reconnecting and reopening individual waterway sections, planting of strips of wildflowers and hedgerows in the Ajdovsko polje field, removal of invasive alien turtle species, clearance of overgrown vegetation without negatively affecting the native vegetation and fauna, and creation of wildlife habitat piles. The project also aims to raise public awareness about how released alien turtle species may have a negative impact on native biodiversity and highlight the rich biodiversity of the Vipavska dolina valley. A nature-theme trail running along the Vipava River will be developed and a number of information boards put up to provide the visitors with facts and figures about the protected species and habitats and the valley itself to increase environmental awareness.

Photo: Municipality of Ajdovščina