As part of the Erasmus+ mobility programme, Associate Professor Selma Mlinarić, PhD, and Assistant Professor Alma Mikuška, PhD, visited the Agricultural University – Plovdiv, Faculty of Plant Protection and Agroecology.
The mobility was carried out with the aim of strengthening international cooperation, exchanging knowledge and experience, and establishing the foundations for future scientific, teaching, and project collaboration between the Department of Biology and the Agricultural University of Plovdiv.
During their stay in Bulgaria, and within the framework of international exchange of experience and professional networking, the participants visited Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) colonies in the village of Kliment, as well as the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Breeding Centre in Stara Zagora. The visit was organized as part of the project “Life for the Lesser Kestrel” (LIFE19 NAT/BG/001017), implemented with the support of the European Union LIFE Programme and coordinated by the Green Balkans organization. More about the visit can be found at the following link:
https://lesserkestrellife.greenbalkans.org/International-Nature-Conservation-Experts-Visit-Lesser-Kestrel-Colonies-in-Bulgaria-3-8913
During the visit, the participants became acquainted with examples of good practice in the conservation of endangered bird species, the management of nature conservation projects, and activities aimed at restoring populations of rare and threatened species and habitats in Bulgaria.
As part of the mobility, several important protected areas and Natura 2000 ecological network sites were also visited, including areas around Plovdiv such as the Maritsa River and Sredna Gora, as well as Vitosha Nature Park, Central Balkan National Park, and the Pomorie Lake area on the Black Sea coast. The mobility was thus additionally enriched through field-based insights into different models of protected area management, habitat conservation, and the implementation of field teaching.
The knowledge, methodologies, and practical experience gained by the participants will be integrated into teaching activities and scientific research at the Department of Biology, particularly in the fields of agroecology, plant production, nature conservation, and field-based teaching.
For both institutions, the mobility represents an important step toward strengthening long-term academic cooperation in the areas of research, teaching, and Erasmus+ exchange. Networking with colleagues from the Agricultural University – Plovdiv has opened opportunities for future joint applications for international research and innovation projects, as well as for further exchange of students, teaching staff, and professional personnel.
This mobility highlighted the importance of international partnerships for biodiversity conservation, the development of modern teaching and research approaches, and the establishment of sustainable cooperation networks among scientific institutions, universities, and nature conservation organizations across Europe.
