
he five-year LIFE URca PROEMYS project for the conservation of the pond turtle in Slovenia and Italy has started in Genoa. The project leader is WWF Italy and, in addition to the 7 Italian partners, the Public Institute Krajinski Park Ljubljansko barje and Soline Pridelava soli d.o.o. are also participating in the project.
Project start date: 10.1.2022
Project closure date: 30.9.2027
Financial mechanism: LIFE Programme
Start date: 1/10/2022
End date: 9/30/2027
Funding line: LIFE Program
Beneficiary coordinator: WWF Italy
Associated beneficiaries:
- 7 Italian partners: University of Florence, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Costa Edutainment/Acquario di Genova, University of Pisa, Centro Studi Bionaturalistici Srl, Parco Lombardo Valle del Ticino, Ente di gestione per i Parchi e la Biodiversità Emilia Centrale
- 2 Slovenian partners: SOLINE Pridelava soli d.o.o. and Javni zavod Krajinski Park Ljubljansko Barje
The project aims to improve the conservation status of the native pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Italy and Slovenia by maintaining the genetic diversity of existing populations.
Emys orbicularis is one of the most widespread pond turtle species in southern and Central Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa. Its habitat consists of wet environments such as ponds, lakes, rivers and swamps.
The survival of this species is threatened by the alteration, fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats, the presence of alien pond turtles species, disturbance and predation of eggs and young individuals, loss of genetic identity of populations in different territories and, to date, the absence of plans and strong coordination of actions for its conservation.
The project includes the following actions to improve its conservation status:
- the drafting of an Integrated Management Plan, which will ensure proper management of this species in all territories where it is present,
- the control of invasive alien species in 39 Natura 2000 sites, through the capture of specimens and their fostering in specialized shelters,
- habitat restoration in at least 30 selected sites, covering a total area of 9 hectares, including different types of wetlands, marshes, riverine areas, forested or coastal dunes, and floodplains, in the two Countries involved,
- repopulation in the wild in at least 13 targeted sites through the controlled environment breeding activities of 7 breeding centers, which will be upgraded as appropriate.
For information: #EM#75736162747769626570794b7b7a68217965#EM#
- Parco Lombardo della Valle del Ticino
- Krajinski park Ljubljansko barje
- Parchi Emilia Centrale
- Museo di Storia Naturale
- Università di Pisa
- Krajinski Park Sečoveljske Soline
- WWF Italia
- Cesbin
#Eubiodiversity #LIFEprogramme #LIFEproject #LIFEprojects #Natura2000
03.05.2024
Umetno gnezdišče in platforme za sončenje močvirskih sklednic
V aprilu smo na območju Rudnika-Korea nadaljevali z deli za renaturacijo območja in izboljševanje življenjskih pogojev za ohranjanje močvirske sklednice. Dela potekajo v okviru projekta LIFE URCA PROEMYS.
03.05.2024
Artificial nesting and sunbathing platforms for European Pond Turtle
In April, work continued in the Rudnik-Korea area to restore the site and improve habitat conditions for the conservation of the European Pond Turtle. The work is being carried out within the framework of the LIFE URCA Projekt.
26.04.2024
Delavnica za učence OŠ
Včeraj smo v okviru projekta LIFE URCA PROEMYS izvedli raziskovalno delavnico za otroke. V okviru delavnice smo raziskovali želvo močvirsko sklednico (Emys orbicularis) v Krajinskem parku Sečoveljske soline. Delavnice so se udeležili učenci 4. C razreda OŠ Lucija.
26.04.2024
Research workshop for children.
Yesterday, as part of the LIFE URCA PROEMYS project, we held a research workshop for children. During the workshop, we researched the bog turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the Sečovlje Saline Landscape Park. The workshop was attended by pupils from the 4th C class of Lucija Primary School.
15.04.2024
Nadzorni obisk projekta LIFE URCA PROEMYS
Včeraj, se je pod budnim očesom LIFE monitorja Noemi Spagnoletti na Ljubljanskem barju zaključil tridnevni nadzorni obisk projekta LIFE URCA PROEMYS.
15.04.2024
LIFE URCA PROEMYS monitor visit
Yesterday, under the watchful eye of LIFE monitor Noemi Spagnoletti, the three-day monitoring visit of the LIFE URCA PROEMYS project ended in the Ljubljannsko barje. The meeting was also attended by all project partners.
10.11.2023
Zgibanka o ohranjanju močvirske sklednice
V okviru projekta LIFE URCA PROEMYS je izšla zgibanka o ohranjanju močvirske sklednice (Emys orbicularis). V zgibanki so predstavljene osnovne značilnosti močvirske sklednice, njena razširjenost, prehrana ipd. V njej izvemo tudi zakaj je močvirska sklednica ogrožena in kako ji lahko pomagamo. Na kratko je predstavljen tudi projekt Life Urca Proemys s predvidenimi aktivnostmi.
09.07.2023
LIFE URCA PROEMYS Summer Research Camp successfully completed
On Friday 7.7.2023 the LIFE URCA PROEMYS summer research camp ended with presentations for parents. Together with the children we studied the European Pond Turtle. The camp was successfully completed. The KPSS and CŠOD team would like to thank all the participants for an enjoyable time.
09.07.2023
Uspešno zaključen poletni raziskovalni tabor LIFE URCA PROEMYS
V petek 7.7.2023 se je s predstavitvami dela za starše končal poletni raziskovalni tabor LIFE URCA PROEMYS. Skupaj z otroki smo preučevali močvirsko sklednico. Tabor smo uspešno zaključili. Ekipa KPSS in CŠOD se zahvaljuje vsem udeležencem za prijetno druženje.
04.05.2023
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SUMMER CAMP LIFE URCA PROEMYS
The Sečovlje Salina Nature Park (SOLINE Production of Salt d.o.o.) invites "young researchers" to a summer research camp, which will be held from July 3rd to July 7th, 2023 (during summer vacation) for children aged 10 to 12 years. The number of children at the camp is limited to 20. The camp will run from Monday afternoon to Friday morning at the CŠOD Burja home in Seča, where children will have accommodation, daily meals, and free time activities provided.
During the camp, we will be researching the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis, in the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park. Children will be transported to the field by bicycle, and one evening they will sleep in tents that they will set up themselves. After dinner, they will have informative lectures on protected areas, the European pond turtle, and invasive turtle species that threaten it. They will also participate in creative workshops in the afternoon. Children will be divided into four groups. Work will be carried out in the field at workstations, where children will participate in determining the sex, age, measurements, weight, and photographing of turtles, as well as recording data. To ensure a unique atmosphere and activities at the camp, the CŠOD instructors and the KPSS professional staff will take care of everything.04.05.2023
RAZPIS ZA POLETNI TABOR LIFE URCA PROEMYS
Krajinski park Sečoveljske soline (SOLINE Pridelava soli d.o.o.) Vabi »mlade raziskovalce« na poletni raziskovalni tabor, ki ga organiziramo od 3. julija do 7. julija 2023 (v času poletnih počitnic) za otroke starosti od 10 do 12 let. Število otrok na taboru je omejeno na 20 otrok. Tabor bo potekal od ponedeljka popoldan do petka dopoldan v domu CŠOD Burja na Seči, kjer bodo otroci imeli zagotovljeno prenočišče, dnevne obroke in prostočasne dejavnosti.
26.04.2023
The monitoring of European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) and ornamental sliders (Trachemys scripta) continues
On Saturday, April 22, we concluded the second monthly monitoring of European Pond turtles and the capture of non-native ornamental sliders. The monitoring is carried out within the framework of the LIFE Urca PROEMYS project. We caught and tagged 60 individuals of marsh turtles, but did not catch any non-native ornamental sliders.
26.04.2023
Monitoring močvirskih sklednic in okrasnih gizdavk se nadaljuje
V soboto 22. aprila smo zaključili drugi mesečni monitoring močvirske sklednice (Emys orbicularis) ter izlov tujerodnih okrasnih gizdavk (Trachemys scripta). Monitoring poteka v okviru projekta LIFE Urca PROEMYS. Ulovili in čipirali smo 60 osebkov močvirske sklednice, tujerodnih okrasnih gizdavk nismo ulovili.
15.04.2023
Meeting of Emys Centres
On 12 and 13 April, the first of a series of training and discussion events about the conservation of Emys orbicularis in Liguria (Italy) took place in Genoa and Albenga (SV), as part of the LIFE URCA PROEMYS project, co-funded by the European Union.
15.04.2023
Srečanje centrov Emys
12. in 13. aprila je v Genovi in Albengi (SV) v okviru projekta LIFE URCA PROEMYS, ki ga sofinancira Evropska unija, potekal prvi v nizu izobraževalnih dogodkov in razprav o ohranjanju vrste Emys orbicularis v Liguriji (Italija).
25.03.2023
The first European Pond Turtles (Emys orbicularis) with microchips
From Wednesday, March 22nd, to Friday, March 24th, 2023, we conducted the first regular monitoring of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and the invasive red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) in the area of the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park (KPSS) as part of the LIFE UrCA PROEMYS project. During the three days of trapping at eight locations, 27 European pond turtles were caught, and no red-eared sliders were found. Invasive red-eared sliders must be removed from the environment.
25.03.2023
Prve močvirske sklednice v KPSS z mikročipi
Od srede 22.3. do petka 24.3.2023 smo na območju KPSS izvedli prvi letošnji redni monitoring močvirske sklednice (Emys orbicularis) in okrasne gizdavke (Trachemys scripta), ki ga izvajamo v okviru projekta LIFE UrCA PROEMYS. V postavljene vrše se je v treh lovnih dnevih na 8 lokacijah ulovilo 27 močvirskih sklednic.
20.02.2023
Projekt LIFE URCA PROEMYS v Firencah
Četrtek 16. in petek 17. februar sta bila pomembna dneva za projekt LIFE URCA PROEMYS.
20.02.2023
Project LIFE URCA PROEMYS in Florence
Thursday, February 16, and Friday, February 17 were important days for the LIFE URCA PROEMYS project. On Thursday, the first visit of the project supervisor took place at the University of Florence, which was attended by all partners.
16.01.2023
We started with the works for the renaturalization of the area and the improvement of the living conditions of the pond turtle
Last week we started with the works for the renaturalization of the area and the improvement of the living conditions of the pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the area of Rudnik-Korea. The works are carried out within the LIFE UrCA PROEMYS project.
- At present, the artificially created embankments are quite steep and high, as are the artificial islands on both shores.
- Levees will be lowered, and the slopes of the banks will be reduced to prevent the drowning of young turtles.
- In the Rudnik area, excessive growth of vegetation on the banks and in the aquatic habitat (reeds) has led to a reduction of water surfaces. In the long run, this could result in a lack of sunbathing, feeding, and spawning areas for the tortoises.
- In addition, ruderal growth on the banks will also be regularly removed, and floating rest areas for sunbathing and an experimental artificial nesting area will be constructed on one of the banks, which will be safe from predators.
- Based on the results obtained, we have noted that the population in this area is aging, which indicates poor reproductive success. With the interventions within the LIFE UrCA PROEMYS project, we will ensure a favorable conservation status for the pond turtle, which is a Natura 2000 species and is listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive and registered in the Bern Convention."

16.01.2023
Pričeli smo z urejanjem območja Rudnik-Korea za ohranitev močvirske sklednice
Pred tednom dni smo na območju Rudnika-Korea pričeli z deli za renaturacijo območja in izboljševanje življenjskih pogojev za ohranjanje močvirske sklednice. Dela potekajo v okviru projekta LIFE PROEMYS.
Pred tednom dni
smo na območju Rudnika-Korea pričeli z deli za renaturacijo območja in
izboljševanje življenjskih pogojev za ohranjanje močvirske sklednice. Dela
potekajo v okviru projekta LIFE PROEMYS.
Umetno ustvarjeni
pretežno kamniti nasipi iz rudniške jalovine obeh bajerjev so precej strmi in
previsoki. Podobno velja za umetne otoke obeh bajerjev. Nasipe bomo znižali in
zmanjšali naklon nasipov, saj le-ta predstavlja nevarnost mladim želvicam
zaradi utopitve. Nasipe bomo dodatno zravnali in nanje dodali zemljo.
Na območju
Rudnika je opazno tudi zarašanje nasipov, opazna je sukcesija vodnega habitata
(zaraščanje s trstičjem) in posledično manjšanje odprtih vodnih površin.
Dolgoročno to lahko pomeni manjše število primernih leg za sončenje in območij
za prehranjevanje močvirske sklednice ter odlaganje jajc. Zato bomo na nasipih
redno odstranjevali tudi ruderalno zarast. Dodatno bomo postavili plavajoča
počivališča za sončenje, na enem od nasipov pa uredili poskusno umetno
gnezdišče, ki bo varno pred plenilci.
Glede na
pridobljene rezultate ugotavljamo, da se populacija na tem območju stara, kar
pomeni, da je gnezditveni uspeh slab. S posegi v okviru projekta LIFE UrCA PROEMYS
bomo močvirski sklednici, ki je naša kvalifikacijska Natura 2000 vrsta (vključena
je na seznam strogo zavarovanih vrst vretenčarjev Bernske konvencije - II.
dodatek in na seznam Direktive o habitatih - dodatek II), zagotovili ugodno ohranitveno stanje.
(foto sklednice
Pino Piccardo e Renato Cottalasso )

10.11.2022
Krajinski park Sečoveljske soline sodeluje v novem LIFE projektu - LIFE UrCA PROEMYS
Na današnjem uradnem začetnem “kick-off” sestanku projekta v Genovi smo zbrani vsi partnerji projekta. 5 letni projekt, ki se izvaja od oktobra 2022 do septembra 2027 je financiran iz evropskega sklada LIFE. Vodilni partner projekta je WWF Italija, v projektu pa sodeluje še 7 italijanskih in 2 slovenska partnerja (poleg KPSS še Krajinski park Ljubljansko barje).
10.11.2022
Sečovlje Salina Nature Park participates in the new LIFE project - LIFE UrCA PROEMYS
At today's official kick-off meeting of the project in Genoa, all project partners are gathered. The 5-year project, which runs from October 2022 to September 2027, is financed by the European LIFE fund. The leading partner of the project is WWF Italy, and 7 Italian and 2 Slovenian partners participate in the project (in addition to the KPSS, the KP Ljubljansko barje).
The project is aimed at the conservation and repopulation of the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) by carrying out activities aimed at improving the natural habitats of the marsh bowler and by removing invasive non-native species from nature and raising public awareness.