Green Biodiversity Network

# CE, # CON

Project Title: Green Biodiversity Network
Project Commencement Year: 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 the Zagreb Zoo as part of the international “Let It Grow!” campaign. Its primary goal is to increase the diversity of native species in urban and semi-urban areas of the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County, fostering a network of spaces that support the thriving of local plants and animals. By reintroducing natural habitats into the urban landscape, this initiative seeks to create “green oases” throughout the city where native flora and fauna can coexist and flourish, while directly engaging the community in conservation efforts.

Inspiring Community Involvement

The Green Network encourages community members to take active steps in conserving biodiversity. Community members are invited to dedicate small areas of their gardens, yards, or balconies to planting native species that attract and sustain local wildlife. Through simple yet impactful actions, such as building bird feeders, insect hotels, or native plant gardens, individuals can directly contribute to conserving urban biodiversity. This movement aims to boost the presence of native species—such as butterflies, fireflies, and pheasants—that have declined in recent years due to habitat loss.

Under the slogan “Reach Out to Our Wild Species and Preserve Diversity,” the Zoo highlights that every green space in the city can become a habitat for local wildlife. The project strives to combat biodiversity loss by linking urban green spaces that provide crucial support 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 collaborates with schools to directly involve students in biodiversity-focused learning initiatives. For instance, in partnership with the Zagreb Veterinary School, students took part in the “Urban Biodiversity” project. In this project, fourth-year students explored the significance of preserving native species and created innovative projects to raise awareness among their peers.
  2. Outdoor Education Experiences: Outdoor classes and hands-on activities foster a deeper connection between students and nature. A notable collaboration with the Private Arts High School in Zagreb merged 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 powerful reminder that biodiversity is not confined to wilderness areas; it can and should be cultivated in urban environments. By creating habitats within cities, the project plays a vital role in stabilizing local ecosystems and protecting species that are often overlooked in city planning. In turn, these biodiverse spaces enhance the quality of life in urban settings, improving air quality, reducing noise, and even lowering temperatures during the summer months.

The success of the Green Network demonstrates that, with community involvement and support from educational institutions, even small urban areas can evolve into thriving habitats. Through this initiative, the Zagreb Zoo, local schools, and residents are coming together to “bring the wilderness back” to the city, nurturing a sense of responsibility for biodiversity conservation that extends far beyond urban boundaries.