INFOPACK 2016. VOLUNTEERING IN THE CAVE PARK GRABOVAČA,PERUŠIĆ,

Cave park Grabovača The cave park is managed by the Public Institution for the Management of Geomorphological Monuments of Nature “Cave park Grabovača”. Grabovača is the elevation of the mid –, located at 770 m above sea level near the karst basin of the river .From there, you can seen wide panorama of the karst plateu with Lika River canyon, but as well the historical old town Perušić. The area of the park is characterized by a great diversity of ecosystems and habitats, and a large number of speleological objects in a small area – 9 speleological objects.Its many underground karst forms make up a qurter of the total number of protected cave facilities in Croatia. The Public Institution is established in 2006 with activities of protection, mainteance, utilization and promoting of geomorphological monuments of nature in the area of Perušić. Currently PI has four employees – director of the PI, scientific and research assistant – geographer – geoecologist, supervisor and economist. Since establishement, PI conducted many project related to speleological, biospeleological, geological, geomorphological and biological research. In the year, 2012. PI started with the process of enlargement of the park boundaries (from 595,5ha to 5.500ha) and re-categorization in the category of the regional park. In addition, PI is conducting awareness raising actions involving local citizens and volunteers from all over Europe. The main aim of the PI is that nature conservation must be integral: based on the protection of species and their habitats, as well as monitoring and controlling of the processes and activities that threaten the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.PI work a lot on education and has designed program of ecological-educational workshops for pupils. Most of the visitors in the park are children and pupils but during the summer seasons park is visited by many foreign tourists. More information: http://www.pp-grabovaca.hr/

River Lika Landscape in the park Cave Samograd THE TOWN OF PERUŠIĆ Perušić is a small municipality placed 13km away from Gospić – centre of Lika-Senj county. Perušić is just 1 km away from A1 highway entrance. Within municipality we can find various coffee places and stores,tennis, football and basketball playgrounds. The population of the place is 2600 and it lies at approximately 550 m above sea level.Perušić has excelent traffical connection towards south and east – Zgareb and Split are within 2 hours drive, and there is railway station and bus station.

For aditional information please visit: www.perusic.hr and www.pp-grabovaca.hr .

WEB-PAGES ABOUT DIFFERENT PLACES TO VISIT 1. Nature park Velebit Mountain www.pp-velebit.hr 2. National park North Velebit www.np-sjeverni-velebit.hr 3. National park www.paklenica.hr 4. National park Plitvice Lakes www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr 5. Kuterevo Bear Refuge www.kuterevo-medvjedi.org 6. Adrenaline park Rizvan City www.rizvancity.com

WEATHER The weather in Croatia from July to August is quite hot, often reaching temperatures over 35 ˚C. So a hat, sun protection cream and sunglasses, loose and light colored clothing is necessary. Eveninigs tend to be cool; a sweater will be needed.

MONEY The official unit of currency is the Kuna (HRK), current exchange rate is 1 euro=7.58HRK. The closest bank and ATM (cash machine) are in the Perušić, so try to get some some Kunas before coming to Perušić. To give you an idea, a small bottle of water (0,5l) costs 5kn, a beer in shops about 5kn, chicken meet (1kg) 25-30kn and a telephone card costs between 25 and 100kn.

HOW TO ARRIVE TO PERUŠIĆ

There are different ways of coming to Perušić: By bus – there is a bus station in Perušić, you must ask for the direct line By train – there is also a train station in Perušić.