At the midterm conference, held on October 15, 2021 in the Osijek suburb of Podravlje, the results of the project achieved so far were presented and the Educational and Visitor Center “Podravlje” was officially opened. The conference was opened by the Director of the Forestry Sector, Krešimir Žagar, emphasizing that the “Naturavita” project started two years ago and is now halfway through. So far, the biological restoration of forests and forest land has been successfully carried out by planting indigenous tree species on 60% of the project planned area, forest fire protection has been improved by building 17 of the planned 18 fire breaks with forest road elements. With the renovation of the forest house “Podravlje” the educational infrastructure has been improved, and by the end of the project 115 workshops for pupils, students, experts will be held here. On this occasion, the Educational and Visitor Center “Podravlje” was officially opened by the Director of Civil Protection Damir Trut and pointed out:”In the two years of the project, we have achieved important goals – the area envisaged by the project “Naturavita” we cleared of mines and today we are pleased to open an Educational Visitor Center that will serve primarily young people to raise awareness of behavior that reduces the risk of disaster.“ The conference was also attended by Davor Mikulić, director of the Public Institution Agency for Management of Protected Areas OBC who was also an envoy of the prefect Anušić, Sanja Jelačić, head of the Intermediate Body Level 2 The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Željko Kovačević, director of the Department of Water Management for the Danube and Lower Drava, and Tomislav Bogdanović director of Public Institution Nature Park Kopački rit, and representatives of project partners, local authorities, associations and the media. Representatives of project partners informed everyone present about the results achieved so far.
The value of the renovation works of the Center is HRK 2,835,012.57, and the value of the interior equipment is HRK 486,466.70, which are financed by EU funds from the Cohesion Fund in the amount of 85%. In the vicinity of the center, four educational trails will be established by mid-November, which will further complement the offer of the center. The Education and Visitor Center will organize trainings on mine danger and the Natura 2000 protection system and its features, as well as on the values of forest ecosystems. During the project, the transportation of school children will be provided from the project budget. The implementation of the training will increase awareness of mine danger, biodiversity and the values of the forest ecosystem.