Green Biodiversity Network

# CE, # CON

Project Title: Green Biodiversity Network
Start Date: 2016
Partners: City of Zagreb Zoo, local schools and institutions across the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County, local community

Status: Active
Scope: Local urban biodiversity conservation: Indigenous plants, pollinators, birds, mammals, amphibians, and insects

Project Goals

The “Green Biodiversity Network” was launched by Zagreb Zoo as part of the international “Let It Grow!” campaign. The primary objective is to increase the diversity of native species within urban and semi-urban areas of the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County, supporting a network of spaces that help native plants and animals thrive. By reintroducing natural habitats within the urban landscape, this project strives to create “green oases” across the city where native flora and fauna can coexist and flourish, directly involving the community in conservation efforts.

Inspiring Community Involvement

The Green Network encourages community members to take active steps in conserving biodiversity. Residents are invited to allocate small spaces in their gardens, yards, or balconies to plant native species that attract and sustain local wildlife. Through simple, practical actions like building bird feeders, insect hotels, or native plant gardens, residents can play a direct role in the conservation of urban biodiversity. This movement aims to increase sightings of native species—such as butterflies, fireflies, and pheasants—that have dwindled in recent years due to habitat loss.

Under the slogan “Reach Out to Our Wild Species and Preserve Diversity,” the Zoo emphasizes that every green space in the city can serve as a habitat for local wildlife. The project aims to address the issue of biodiversity decline by connecting urban green spaces that support life for pollinators, birds, and other native species.

Education and Outreach Programs

Educational programs are a core component of the Green Biodiversity Network, designed to inspire young people to protect urban biodiversity.

  1. Collaboration with Schools: The Green Network partners with schools to engage students directly in biodiversity-focused learning. In collaboration with the Zagreb Veterinary School, for example, students participated in the “Urban Biodiversity” project. Fourth-year students explored the importance of preserving native species and presented creative projects to raise awareness among peers.
  2. Outdoor Education Experiences: Outdoor classes and hands-on activities encourage students to connect with nature. A unique partnership with the Private Arts High School in Zagreb integrated biodiversity education with interdisciplinary workshops. The “For a Clear View” philosophy workshop, organized by the high school, led to a short film titled When Was the Last Time You Saw a Butterfly in the City? This video featured interviews with Zagreb residents on the disappearing urban wildlife and has become a powerful tool for raising public awareness about biodiversity loss.

Watch the film here.

Resources and Guides for Biodiversity Support

We have also developed a series of free guides and brochures to help residents support local biodiversity:

  • Bird Feeders: Instructions for building feeders to sustain birds through the winter. Link:

https://zoo.hr/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/HRANILICE-ZA-PTICE_-bro%C5%A1ura-ZOO-ZAGREB.pdf

Each resource is filled with practical tips and DIY instructions, allowing people of all ages to take small actions with a significant impact.

Why It Matters

The Green Biodiversity Network serves as a reminder that biodiversity isn’t limited to wilderness areas; it can and should be nurtured in cities. By creating habitats within urban spaces, the project is helping to stabilize local ecosystems and preserve species that are often overlooked in city planning. In return, these biodiverse spaces contribute to the quality of life in urban settings by enhancing air quality, reducing noise, and even lowering temperatures during the summer.

The Green Network’s success shows that with community engagement and support from educational institutions, even small urban areas can become thriving habitats. Through this project, the Zagreb Zoo, local schools, and residents are working together to “bring the wilderness back” to urban spaces, fostering a sense of responsibility for biodiversity conservation that extends beyond city limits.