Students in Zadar Explore Climate Risks and Nature-Based Solutions through the bePrepARed Project
28/05/2026
Within Activity 3.4 of the bePrepARed project, the Zadar County Development Agency ZADRA NOVA organised two educational workshops for primary and secondary school students in Zadar on the 28th of May 2026
The workshops involved 40 students and teachers from the John Paul II Catholic Secondary School and Šime Budinić Primary School. The educational content was adapted to the age and level of knowledge of each group.
Using Paklenica National Park as the main local example, students explored climate change, water management and the specific risks affecting karst and protected environments. Topics included drought, water scarcity, flash floods, erosion, heatwaves, wildfires and visitor safety.
Secondary school students were introduced to climate indicators, future climate projections, hydrological monitoring and the role of real-time data in risk management and early warning. They also learned about the monitoring system installed in the Velika Paklenica canyon and the HydroView platform.
Primary school students explored the same challenges through simpler explanations, visual materials and examples connected to the environment in which they live and which they regularly visit.
Both workshops included interactive group activities. Students analysed scenarios related to flash floods, wildfires and the drying up of water sources, identified the main risks and proposed urgent and long-term responses.
Particular attention was given to Nature-Based Solutions, including the protection and restoration of vegetation, planting native species, creating small retention areas and slowing surface runoff.
The workshops helped students understand how climate-related risks are connected and how sustainable water management, monitoring, responsible behaviour and cooperation can contribute to the protection of Paklenica National Park.
The educational activities strengthened young people’s awareness of climate change and encouraged them to take an active role in protecting water, soil, vegetation and natural heritage.