Friday, 15 May 2026 Participation in the Erasmus+ BIP Program Monitoring Transitional Ecosystems at the University of Patras (Greece)

Five students from the Nature Conservation study program and Associate Professor Dr. Živa Fišer from the Department of Biodiversity at UP FAMNIT participated in the international Erasmus+ BIP program Monitoring Transitional Ecosystems, which was held this year at the University of Patras in Greece. The program brings together universities from Slovenia, Italy, and Greece and promotes interdisciplinary cooperation in the research and conservation of Mediterranean transitional ecosystems.

This year marked the second consecutive edition of the program; last year, a similar program was organized at the University of Cagliari in Sardinia.

Participants spent two days at the University of Patras, where lectures, presentations on research methods, and group work in international settings took place. Three additional days were dedicated to fieldwork in important protected areas of western Greece, including the national parks and Ramsar sites of Kotychi–Strofylia, Messolonghi–Aitoliko, and Amvrakikos National Park. Working in international groups, the students monitored the status of species, habitats, and ecosystem services, and also met with managers of protected areas.

The program offers students valuable international experience, opportunities to develop practical fieldwork skills, and participation in an interdisciplinary and intercultural environment. At the same time, it strengthens cooperation between universities and opens opportunities for further collaboration in biodiversity research and conservation in the Mediterranean.