MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN”

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE PERIOD 2014 – 2018

Content

INTRODUCTION ...... 3 WHAT IS A MODEL FOREST? ...... 4 INTERNATIONAL MODEL FOREST NETWORK ...... 5 THE MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK ...... 6 FIVE STEPS FOR A MODEL FOREST CREATION ...... 6 THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MODEL FORESTS ...... 8 ESTABLISHING A MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN” ...... 11 MODEL FOREST „RIVER MIRNA BASIN“ ...... 16 Size and fundamental spatial characteristics ...... 16 GEOMORPHOLOGICAL AND CLIMATE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA ...... 21 Climate ...... 22 PROTECTED AREAS ...... 22 FORESTRY ...... 25 Forest associations ...... 28 About the Motovun forest and the river Mirna waterflow ...... 30 HUNTING ...... 32 NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS ...... 33 Mushrooms ...... 35 Truffles ...... 36 AGRICULTURE ...... 38 Fishery ...... 39 TOURISM ...... 40 CULTURAL,HISTORICAL AND TRADITIONAL HERITAGE OF THE TERRITORY...... 42 MEDICINAL PLANT SPECIES ON THE TERRITORY OF THE MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN” ... 44 Swot analysis ...... 46 MAIN CHALLENGES OF THE MF TERRITORY ...... 46 TODAY ...... 46 TOMORROW ...... 46 Strength ...... 46 Possibilities ...... 46 Weakness ...... 46 Challenges ...... 46 STRATEGIC PLANNING IN A MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN” ...... 47

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FRAMEWORK FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATION ...... 58 LOGICAL MODEL ...... 59 FINANCIAL PLAN OF THE MODEL FOREST „RIVER MIRNA BASIN“ ...... 60 2014- 2018 ...... 60 GOVERNANCE IN THE MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN” ...... 62 CONCLUSION ...... 69

INTRODUCTION

The idea of establishing a Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” resulted from the need to affiliate all representatives of the territory in order to gather knowledge and encourage the participation in the valorisation and management of natural resources. The Model Forest is trying to include both economic and social development and, within the scope of the common vision, achieve a sustainable development of the rural territory. Partnership of the Model Forest consists of municipalities and cities, tourist offices, private and public agencies, public institutions, private and public businesses, trades, associations and individuals. The Region of Istria became a member of the International and Mediterranean Model Forest Network by signing the Memorandum of understanding with which all interested parties declare to actively participate in the Network activities and support the creation of at least one Model Forest on its territory. The regional government has on its meeting on the 13th of May, 2008 issued a decision to accept the Memorandum of understanding and to become a member of the Mediterranean Model Forest Network. The members of the Model Forest could be regions of the European Union and potential member countries, as well as national administrative bodies in charge of development of forestry and the Model Forest in the Mediterranean region. All activities that preceded the registration of the association Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” have been done in the period between 2009 and 2012 through the project of the European programme for territorial cooperation MED which had included regions on the Northern rim of the Mediterranean. This project included the Region of Istria, Regions Castilla y Leon and Murcia from Spain, Provence and Azure coast, and Corsica from France, Sardinia from Italy and two Greek regions Magnesia and Western Macedonia. The content of the project “Model Forest – new tool for territorial governance” was the research of the concept Model Forest on the Mediterranean and coordination of regional forest policies with the goal of improving territorial governance.

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Thus, the Model Forest concept is an innovative instrument of “territorial governance” with a comprehensive approach which is fully compatible with the modern needs of forestry on the Mediterranean.

WHAT IS A MODEL FOREST?

A Model Forest is both a large territory where the forest represents an important issue, and a partnership-based approach for sustainable forest based landscapes and natural resources. The Model Forest approach can be defined as « a partnership based process through which individuals and groups, representing a diversity of values, work together toward a common vision of sustainable development for a landscape in which forests are an important feature. » In a Model Forest a variety of people with differing interests and needs form a neutral partnership which will define management of their own natural resources in a way that makes the most sense to them, given their history, economic situation, cultural identities and sustainable future.

The « Model Forest » concept was born at the beginning of the 90s in Canada and it was first presented in 1992 on the United Nations Conference for the Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. Today, more than 60 Model Forests are active all over the world

4 and together they form the International Model Forest Network and their six regional networks.

INTERNATIONAL MODEL FOREST NETWORK

Asian Model Forest Network African Model Forest Network Ibero-American Model Forest Network Canadian Model Forest Network Baltic Model Forest Network

Everywhere in the world this innovative approach is based on the idea that a dynamic partnership which is inclusive of all institutions, communities and people can create beneficial conditions for an effective and sustainable management of forest resources and natural landscapes. The Secretariat of the International Model Forest Network (IMFN) is based in Ottawa, Canada. The main task of the IMFN Secretariat is to strengthen and enlarge the IMFN and to provide technical assistance to Model Forests. The IMFN’s secretariat facilitates all

5 participants to contribute and take benefit from the network’s activities, whatsoever their political or economic situation may be.

THE MEDITERRANEAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK

The Mediterranean Model Forest Network (MMFN), was created in 2008 on the initiative of the Region of Castilla y Leon from Spain, and it involves countries and regions from the two rims of the Mediterranean. With its Model Forest Urbion, the Region of Castilla y Leon has been the first to implement the Model Forest approach in the Mediterranean. The MMFN Secretariat is located in Valladolid and it coordinates the activities and manages the whole network. The main role of the Mediterranean secretariat is to provide technical assistance for Model Forest creation and development in the Mediterranean. The regions and partners of the MMFN have signed a memorandum of understanding, open to the signature of any country or region willing to join the Network. In a first stage, the Model Forests are recognized as candidates to the membership. Once their official confirmation is obtained from the IMFN Secretariat, they become complete members of the Network, through their Mediterranean regional network. The aim of the MMFN is to promote the creation and development of new Model Forests on the territory of both North and South Mediterranean, and therefore they have created the 5 step methodology.

FIVE STEPS FOR A MODEL FOREST CREATION

1. Landscape diagnostics and site selection Model Forests are areas which encompass forests, cities, rivers, agricultural land and protected areas. A Model Forest is about people living and working using natural resources. 2. Forming work groups out of the interested partnership Stakeholders who voluntarily work together in order to identify a common vision and who have common interests, are referred to as “partners.” Stakeholders with similar interests (ex. forestry, tourism, agriculture, education, etc.) form work groups which with their ideas contribute to the creation and development of a Model Forest. 3. Workshop on strategic planning

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In the beginning, the stakeholders identify in what way they want to use the natural, economic and social resources from the selected area in a sustainable and multi-functional way. With that in mind, the stakeholders or partners define a common vision, and after that they develop a strategic plan and the programme of activities of the Model Forest.

4. Development of the Model Forest strategic plan The strategic plan of the Model Forest in renewed and modified in the long-term in order to satisfy the actual needs of the area. It determines the governance structure of the Model Forest and helps the group to achieve their goal in the easiest way possible. 5. Homologation of the Model Forest and support for the implementation of activities

The partnership is expected to establish a Model Forest which respects the fundamental principles of the Model Forest because based on those principles the Model Forest will be accepted into the International and Mediterranean Model Forest Network. Today members of the MMFN are Model Forests; Urbion (Spain), Ifrane (Morocco), Yalova (Turkey), Montagne Fiorentine (Italy) and Provence (France). Model Forest that are still in the process of creation are based in Croatia, Algeria, Tunis, Sardinia (Italy), Salamanca (Spain), Corsica (France), Greece and Turkey.

WHY PARTICIPATE IN A MODEL FOREST PROCESS? Partners contributing to a Model Forest development process freely decide to cooperate in order to: - participate in the definition and implementation of concrete actions addressing local challenges for the sustainable development of the landscapes; - participate in discussions on forests and biomass, green technologies and innovations, improvement of agricultural production, rural tourism, education and added values of local produce, etc. in their region, in their country; - solve land and resources use conflicts and encourage cooperation in a neutral forum; - benefit from the support and experience of other Model Forests in the framework of the Mediterranean and International Networks, on issues of common interest. Participating in a Model Forest process is voluntary and does not put into question the competences of participants: each one keeps all its rights, and its duties.

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THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MODEL FORESTS

Any process willing to apply and join the IMFN must be in line with the following universal principles: 1. Partnership:each model forest is a neutral and open forum that welcomes voluntary participation of representatives of stakeholder interests and values on the landscape 2. Landscape: a large scale area representing a broad range of social, economic and environmental values 3. Sustainability: stakeholders are committed to the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources and the forested landscape 4. Governance:the model forest management process is representative, participative, tr ansparent and accountable, and promotes collaborative work among stakeholders 5. Programme of activities: the activities undertaken by a model forest are reflective of the model forest’s vision and stakeholder needs and at the same time reflective of the needs of the community as a whole values and management challenges 6. Knowledge sharing, capacity building and networking: Model forests reinforce stakeholders’ capacity to engage in the sustainable management of natural resources, and collaborate and share results and lessons learned through networking

MODEL FOREST IS: PARTNERSHIP + LANDSCAPE +SUSTAINABILITY

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PARTNERSHIP of the Model Forest is open, transparent, responsible and accountable. The partnership is responsible for the actions implemented and means used, and accountable for that: the partnership takes the form of a legal entity, to ensure this accountability. The transparency value is an essential trait of any Model Forest partnership: in order to permanently guarantee its capacity to welcome new members, but also to be publicly accountable in front of the donors, public authorities, and also its stakeholders and population. The partnership of the Model Forest is open: any stakeholder voluntarily committed towards the sustainable development of the landscapes is invited to join the partnership.

LANDSCAPE or the selected Model Forest territory must be both diversified and representative, in order to meet the Model Forest principles. It must be large enough to include the diversity of values and interests that stakeholders may have. It includes forested areas of course, but also all areas susceptible to develop interactions with forests: agricultural, pastoral, urban areas, wetlands … It is representative because it represents all key issues of landscape management of regional or national relevance. Future partners agree upon the limits of the Model Forest, which may correspond to administrative, but also geographical or ecological ones: for instance a watershed, a mountain chain or an ensemble of natural habitats. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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The sustainable development triangle consists of environmental balance, economic safety and social justice.

SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental balance

Economic safety Social justice

The originality of the Model Forest, compared to other governance instruments which exist in Europe, is its flexibility: the future model forest partners are from the beginning invited to define by themselves what their Model Forest and what their strategic priorities will be. It is on the partners to define the governance structure, as well as, their common vision. The elaboration of the common vision between partners is a very important step for the success and sustainability of each Model Forest process. It defines the “Model Forest”: it is the image of the future landscape towards which the population of the territory wants to go, reflecting more generally the aspirations of the society as a whole. A strategic plan is an essential governance tool within a Model Forest; it clearly defines the objectives and a concrete plan of activities, as well as a financial plan. The strategic plan is a tool for achieving a common vision. The shareholders of the Model forest generally know which activities they want to pursue and which direction they want to follow. The process of preparing a strategic plan explains the stakeholders’ roles, allows participation to all interested parties, promotes the responsibilities towards the stakeholders and puts the focus onto their needs. While defining its program of activities the partnership of a Model Forest must take care of well reflecting the values and needs related to the management of the territory at the local, regional or national level. This guarantees the transferability of the experience: in order for the Model Forest to serve precisely as a reference “model” for the region, or the country in which it is located.

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ESTABLISHING A MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN”

The work on the creation of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” has included a whole range of activities necessary for the familiarization of the subjects on the selected area with the Model Forest concept, as well as, for their mobilisation and affiliation The key moments within this process of creation were: November, 2009: The idea of the territory of the Model Forest was accepted in Pazin. The founding partners have been presented with two potential areas for the Model Forest; “Cicarija” and “River Mirna flow” from Motovun to the river estuary.

At that moment it was decided that the Model Forest in Istria will include both territories together and that its name will be “River Mirna Basin”, the municipalities of Karojba and Tinjan have joined afterwards. November, 2010: We have held a “Diagnostic mission” on the Model Forest area together with the representatives of the International and Mediterranean Model Forest Network. In three days we have visited around 70 potential shareholders from the whole territory and presented the Model Forest concept with the benefits for the shareholders. We held a workshop for strategic planning in Motovun with 35 participants. The Workshop on strategic planning included the participation of: Mushroom association “Boletus”, Sole trade for charcoal production “Karbun”, A&Z Honey production, Agriculture association “AgroCicarija”, Hunting association Motovun, Zigante Truffles, City of Novigrad, City of Umag, Municipality of Vizinada, Municipality of Motovun, Croatian Forests,

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Croatian Forest Research Institute, Administrative department for agriculture and forestry of the Istrian region, Nature park Ucka, Agency for rural development of Istria. In such a way, the basic partnership was formed which involves representatives from civil, public and private sector. March, 2011: The organisational committee of the Model Forest was founded in Livade and it included 23 members from the public sector, Cities and Municipalities. It was decided that the headquarters of the MF will be in Motovun. Slobodan Vugrines was appointed as president. June, 2011: Representatives of the organisational committee have signed the Letter of Intent for the establishment of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin”.

January, 2012: A meeting with the Model Forest wider partnership was held in Buzet. The discussion involved the MF Statute and membership fee. Members of work groups were suggested and work groups were nominated: - Forestry, hunting and renewable energy resources - Agriculture, cattle breeding and sustainable management - Non-wood forest products - Rural tourism - Education, informing and nature protection

July, 2012: The first workshop was held in Pazin with the MF work groups.

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April, 2013: The Founding assembly of the Model Forest was held in Motovun and it included 38 founders. The Model Forest is established as a legal, non-profit association. The Model Forest founders are: Regional administrative unit 1. Region of Istria – Regione Istriana Local administrative units 2. City of Pazin, 3. City of Buzet, 4. City of Novigrad - Cittanova, 5. City of Buje-Buie, 6. Municipality of Brtonigla-Verteneglio, 7. Municipality of Cerovlje, 8. Municipality of Tinjan, 9. Municipality of Karojba, 10. Municipality of Lupoglav, 11. Municipality of Motovun-Montona, 12. Municipality of Oprtalj-Portole, 13. Municipality of Groznjan-Grisignana, 14. Municipality of Vizinada, 15. Municipality of Kastelir –Labinci – Castelliere-S.Domenica, 16. Municipality of Tar-Vabriga – Torre-Abrega, 17. Municipality of Lanisce,

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Public limited liability companies 18. Croatian Forest, 19. Agency for rural development of Istria, Scientific institutions 20. Croatian Forest Research Institute, Public institution 21. Nature park Ucka, Tourist offices 22. Tourist office of the City of Buzet, 23. Tourist office of the Motovun Municipality, Civil associations 24. Hunting federation of the Istrian Region, 25. Agricultural association Agrozamask, 26. Association Lanišće, 27. Mushroom association Boletus, 28. Mountanering association Cicarija, 29. Mushroom association Zurdana, 30. Speleological association Buje, Limited liability companies 31. Zigante Truffles, 32. Montona tours, 33. Cerot, Sole trades 34. Sole trade Karbun, 35. Wines Tomaz, 36. Farm Armanda Sirotic, 37. Farm Mejak Grgo, 38. Sole trade Zlatic

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July, 2013: The Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” was registered in the Register of associations of the Republic of Croatia.

October, 2013 to March, 2014 Five workshops for the development of the strategic plan of the MF “River Mirna Basin” have been held with the members of five work groups.

April, 2014 First meeting of the MF Steering committee responsible for the evaluation of the draft of the Strategic plan of the MF “River Mirna Basin” was held.

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MODEL FOREST „RIVER MIRNA BASIN“

Size and fundamental spatial characteristics

Model Forest „River Mirna Basin“is located in the North-western part of the Istrian peninsula. Administratively, it belongs to the Region of Istria, and it expands over the territory of 4 cities: Novigrad, Buje, Buzet and Pazin and over the territory of 12 Municipalities: Brtonigla, Tar-Vabriga, Kastelir - Labinci, Vizinada, Groznjan, Lanisce, Lupoglav, Motovun, Oprtalj, Cerovlje, Tinjan and Karojba.

In the North, it is bordering the territory of the Republic of Slovenia, in the West, the border is the Adriatic Sea, and in the East, the territory of the Region of Primorje-Gorski Kotar. The status of the highland territory is reserved for the area of the City of Buzet, Municipalities of Lupoglav, Cerovlje and Motovun, while the territories of the Municipalities of Lanisce, Oprtalj and Groznjan are defined as territories of special state concern and belong to the third territorial group. (Act on highland areas and Act on territories of special state concern).

Model Forest “River Mirna Basin“encompasses a total surface of 116.200 ha or 1,162 km2.

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This area comprises of 242 settlements and has a population of 39.335 inhabitants; the average population density is 42 inhabitants per km2. The population density numbers vary significantly depending on the location of the municipality within the MF, for example, the Cicarija territory has a density of only 2 inhabitants/km2, while the population density in the coastal municipalities is up 167 inhabitants per km2.

NO. OF NO. OF POPULATION MUNICIPALITY/ SURFACE SURFACE SETTLE POPULATION. HOUSEHOLDS DENSITY [km2] [ha] MENTS CITY 2011 2011 [inhb/km2] 2011

Buje 103,40 10.340,00 1.994 21 5.340 51,64

Buzet 167,00 16.700,00 2.151 70 6.133 36,72

Novigrad 26,00 2.600,00 1.652 5 4.345 167,12

Pazin 138,00 13.800,00 2.963 18 8.638 62,59

Brtonigla 33,00 3.300,00 615 5 1.626 49,27

Cerovlje 107,00 10.700,00 510 15 1.677 15,67

Groznjan 69,00 6.900,00 280 7 736 10,67

Karojba 34,60 3.460,00 425 4 1.438 41,56

Kastelir-Labinci 32,70 3.270,00 543 14 1.463 44,74

Lanisce 143,00 14.300,00 142 14 329 2,30

Lupoglav 94,00 9.400,00 333 8 924 9,83

Motovun 33,60 3.360,00 322 4 1.004 29,88

Oprtalj 62,00 6.200,00 316 16 850 13,71

Tar-Vabriga 28,30 2.830,00 717 6 1.990 70,32

Tinjan 54,40 5.440,00 518 8 1.684 30,96

Vizinada 36,00 3.600,00 418 27 1.158 32,17

TOTAL: 1.162,00 116.200,00 13.899 242 39.335 41,82

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Non- Population in agricultural 12.890 urban areas 32% 68% households 25.933 Population in Agricultural households rural areas

SURFACE OF SURFACE OF USED FORESTS MUNICIPALITY/ STATE- PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL TOTAL OWNED FOREST- CITY LAND [ha] [ha] FORESTS [ha] OWNERS [ha]

Buje 3.000,00 2.924,31 2.920,63 5.844,94 Buzet 5.223,00 1.421,41 9.539,60 10.961,01 Novigrad 469,77 605,60 244,27 849,87 Pazin 1.642,00 677,03 6.554,16 7.231,19 Brtonigla 1.744,54 475,02 518,81 993,83 Cerovlje 956,90 1.451,98 5.836,11 7.288,09 Groznjan 1.857,36 1.586,61 2.049,53 3.636,14 Karojba 1.012,05 174,11 1.453,76 1.627,87 Kastelir-Labinci 2.417,03 107,00 505,18 612,18 Lanisce 1.505,00 648,96 10.602,59 11.251,55 Lupoglav 1.164,67 1.815,50 5.289,01 7.104,51 Motovun 965,26 657,43 1.653,50 2.310,93 Oprtalj 3.062,31 344,05 2.113,31 2.457,36 Tar-Vabriga 847,41 574,84 294,61 869,45 Tinjan 728,42 164,07 1.506,51 1.670,58 Vizinada 1.712,45 744,90 1.101,66 1.846,56 TOTAL: 28.308,17 14.372,82 52.183,24 66.556,06

In the last 40 years pastures and agricultural land is being abandoned which leads to an increase in forested surfaces. This is especially true for the highland territories from where the population has migrated to bigger urban areas. The surface of the used agricultural land on this area is 28.308 ha, while a large part of the surface of the Model Forest consists of derelict agricultural land (pastures and arable land). Lately, there have been efforts to revitalize such surfaces by returning them to their basic purpose which is possible by planting perennial plantations (ex. olive trees, grape vine, figs, lavender, chestnut, hazelnuts, etc.) Among other things, the Model Forest is confronted with a big challenge of finding the right tools and solutions to return such surfaces to their basic purpose.

NO. OF ENTREPRENEURS NO. OF MUNICIPALITY/ NO. OF NO. OF (agriculture, AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURS ASSOCIATIONS CITY hunting, HOUSEHOLDS forestry, fishery)

Buje 343 13 69 320

Buzet 238 3 65 751

Novigrad 319 8 55 123

Pazin 262 6 149 968

Brtonigla 70 4 17 218

Cerovlje 23 1 12 342

Groznjan 21 1 12 155

Karojba 19 3 7 239

Kastelir-Labinci 25 2 20 187

Lanisce 1 0 6 80

Lupoglav 14 0 5 154

Motovun 43 2 21 122

Oprtalj 41 6 9 184

Tar-Vabriga 45 2

Tinjan 36 3 14 332

Vizinada 35 3 8 230

TOTAL: 1.535 51 469 4.405

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3%

No. of entrepreneurs in the sector of agriculture, hunting, forestry i fishery

97% No. of other entrepreneurs

According to the data of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, the territory of the Model Forest in most part consists of small-sized businesses oriented towards trade, the processing industry, construction and expert and technical activities. On the same territory there are also sole traders oriented towards production and service activities. Associations and institutions are mostly oriented towards the service activities and community development and they can also be added to the business sector. The total number of agricultural households is 4.405, out of which 2.720 households are registered as a family farms.

The prevailing activities in the process of making income in the Model Forest area are tourism, agriculture, industry, service activities, small production business and retail and wholesale.

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GEOMORPHOLOGICAL AND CLIMATE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA

The dominant spatial characteristics of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” are the territory of the central Istrian lowland which is intersected with the Mirna valley, the Western coast and the Cicarija highland in the North-east. This is an area where the “white”, the “grey” and the “red” Istra meet. White Istria is characterized by karst and limestone barren land –the Ucka and Cicarija slopes. Grey Istria – a part of the fertile interior, is characterized by the “grey” watertight fliysch soil and surface water streams, as well as, by the extreme relief steeps and slopes. Red Istria, as the name itself says is characterized by the “terra rossa” soil which is porous on karst stone and therefore has no surface water streams. It is typical for the Western coast of the peninsula. A unique situation in the Model Forest can be found on the territory of the Municipality of Brtonigla which is located on the so called territory of “four lands” because all types of soil that can be found in Istria, and including black fertile soil, can be found mixed together on the territory of that Municipality. Unlike the karst surface intersected with water stream valleys, with some of the more important being Pazincica and Butoniga, the landscape on flysch surface generally offers wineyards, orchards, forests and meadows. The morphological characteristic of the Cicarija area is a mountain chain consisting of highland and valleys laid in the Dinaric direction on top of which there are coats of older calcareus layers. There we can see flattened ledges which form valleys with pastures, forests and settlements. The Southern border is located on top of a conjunction between the calcareus and flysch surface. Low population density (2 st/km2) is conditioned by the karstic soil characteristics, economic underdevelopment, poor traffic connectivity and sharp climate. The upper canyon-like flow of the river Mirna descends under Buzet to a level of 49 meters above the sea level and flows through the fertile “flysch” valley to its estuary. The Mirna valley is 25 km long, up to 1,5 meters wide, and opened to sea currents. Due to the relief specificities, there are big climate differences between the valley itself and the particular hills which mildly or steeply descend toward the river. This, consequently, influences the stagnation and weak flow of air, as well as, great dryness and humidity, fog and cold temperatures in any season of the year. According to its mechanical composition, the researched soils of the Motovun forest belong to clays, and considering the regulation of the watercourse of the River Mirna, the water regime of the soil has for the most part been replaced.

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Climate

The Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” is in the zone of moderately warm climate. This area is the meeting place of mild Mediterranean climate in the River Mirna valley and on the coast, and sharp continental climate in the hills. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of 23°C, and the coldest is January with an average temperature of 3,4°C. In the interior, the winters are mild, which is a consequence of the influence of the sea which penetrates into the interior through the valleys. The amount of rainfall increases from the West towards Ucka. The total amount of rainfall is 850 mm. Months with maximal amounts of rain are October (12,4%), November (11%) and September (9,6%). Hailstone is possible in June and July. Snow is rare and it last for only a few days. The characteristic winds are bora, the north wind and the east wind which usually brings a sudden decrease in temperature, and they purify and dry the air. More than 2000 windy hours a year measured in the Cicarija area show a great potential for the use of wind energy in this economically undeveloped part of the Model Forest. The sea temperature is the lowest in March (9,3°-11,1°C), and the highest in August 23,3°C- 24,1°C). In comparison to the vegetative period, the annual rainfall schedule is not suitable because the highest amount of rain is in the period when there is no vegetation, i.e. in autumn and winter (as much as 38,3%). Fog is rare in the vegetative period because of insolation which is quite favourable: in average there are around 6,5 hours of sun a day.

PROTECTED AREAS

In the Region of Istria, there are 38 protected areas on the total surface of 22.080 ha, which makes 7,82 % of the territory of the whole Region. All protected areas (except for the National park Brijuni and the Nature park Ucka) are managed by Natura Histrica, a public institution for management of protected areas and other nature’s values on the territory of the Region of Istria.

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Protected areas on the territory of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin”are as follows: Surface No. Cathegory of protection Name City/Municipality (ha) 1. Nature park Ucka Lanisce, Lupoglav Special forest vegetation 2. Motovun forest Oprtalj, Buzet 275 reserve Geomorphological monument

3. Cave Baredine Tar-Vabriga 0,2 of nature Geomorphological monument

4. Markova cave Tar-Vabriga 0,5 of nature Zoological monument of 5. Pincinova cave Tar-Vabriga 2 nature

6. Botanical monument of nature Cypress in Kascerga Pazin Four Pinus pinea trees 7. Botanical monument of nature Karojba

in Karojba Surrounding of Istrian 8. Significant landscape Oprtalj 95

hot water springs 9. Significant landscape Pazin cave Pazin 1

10. Significant landscape Ucka Lupoglav 1 863,9

The territory of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” is characterized by the specificity of the River Mirna estuary including the Tar Valley. This area has a size of 465 ha and is rich with flora and fauna as it includes several hundred bird species, many amphibians, reptiles and mammals, many of which are protected by law. It provides an important location for migration, winter hibernation and nesting of waterbirds and, consequently, it is planned to declare the area of the Mirna estuary a special ornithological reserve. The estuary area is already protected within the ecological network of the Republic of Croatia due to valuable habitats of sandy bottoms which are constantly covered with the sea.

The ecological network is the biggest coordinated network of preserved natural territory within the European Union and it offers a list of protected habitat types and protected wildlife species according to the criteria proscribed by the Birds Directive and Habitats Directive.

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On the territory of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin”, one of the chosen territories which are protected on the basis on significant wild species and habitat types is also Pregon in the Municipality of Oprtalj. The objective is to maintain the biological diversity of water creeks, wetlands and forests as habitats of important species on the European level (Italian agile frog, false ringelt, narrow-mouthed whorl snail and Desmoulin's whorl snail) by ensuring beneficial water regimes and good methods of mowing and grazing. One of the objectives is also to facilitate sustainable development of this area by encouraging extensive agriculture, by supporting sustainable forestry and hunting and also by promoting ecological tourism. Other important areas for the preservation of significant species and habitat types on the territory of the Model Forest are; Rabak’s cave, cave above big Brest, a cave under Krug, wetlands around the creek Bračana (Zonti), wetlands around the creek Malinska, wetlands around the creek Marusic, wetlands around Jugov creek (Strcaj), Nature park Ucka, the River Mirna and the wider Brtonigla area, the Cave of Novaki, the area around Istarske toplice, Kotli, a cave near Komune, Radota cave, Racice-Racice creek, Mlaka, Zbevnica, Argile, Raspor cave, the area around Pazin, Pazin creek, Motovun Forest, etc. On page 70 of the Strategic plan there is an Annex 1 List of preserved areas significant for birds, and on page 71 there is an Annex 2 List of preserved areas significant for species and habitat types. The extremely remarkable Nature Park Ucka, on the territory of the Lupoglav Municipality encompasses the Ucka Mountain and a part of Cicarija, and it is located next to Kvarner Bay in one of the northern parts of the Mediterranean. It ties Istria and the continental part of Croatia and it expands on the surface of 160 km2. Some of the reasons why the Ucka Mountain is protected are its rich meadows and other anthropogenic habitats that are home to numerous endemic, threatened and protected plant and animal species. The Ucka Mountain and the mountain range Cicarija are on the list of protected areas significant for birds because they are the home of 19 protected bird species. Cicarija is a separate karst area and the home of the deepest Istrian cave, the Raspor Cave that is 361 meters deep. The Act on Environmental protection prescribes that the use of natural resources is implemented based on management plans, as well as, on spatial planning documents, but always taking into consideration the preservation of biological and landscape diversity. In such a way the nature is protected even in those areas which are economically exploited (in agriculture, forestry, fishery, hunting, construction, traffic, energy resources, exploitation of minerals, and other). The Act on Environmental protection provides a definition of sustainable exploitation of natural resources in a way that preserves their potential in order to satisfy the needs and demands of both present and future generations.

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Ecological network on the territory of the Model Forest

FORESTRY

Forests occupy a surface of 66.556 ha. Out of which the state forests occupy a surface of 14.373 ha, and the forests of private forest owners a surface of 52.183 ha. We can conclude that forested land on the territory of the Model Forest amounts to 57%, which, in relation to the forested land of the Region of Istria, amounts to 36% which is far above average. The surface of forested land per inhabitant on the Model Forest area is 1,7 ha. Forestry makes only 2% of the regional GDP with only 0,2 % of the population employed in that sector. Therefore, on the Model Forest area we have only 16 businesses involved in felling, forestry works, wood processing and fuelwood.

14.372,82 ha Forests in private ownership [ha]

Forests in public 52.183,24 ownership [ha] ha

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The ratio of forest owners in the Model Forest area is 3,6 : 1 for the private forest owners compared to state-owned forests. The total surface of administrative units that are managed by the Croatian Forests Ltd. and which are based on the Model Forest area is 16.139,87 ha. Unlike the private properties which are chipped and whose average plot is 0,3 ha, the state forests stretch over significantly bigger plots of average size over 1,0 ha. Small surfaces of private properties could be the reason why an association of private forest owners does not exist but which would surely help improve the management of resources in those forests. In the Lanisce Municipality, the association “Lanisce” was established with the purpose of improving management in the so-called community forests or village forests. According to the legislation of the Republic of Croatia there are only two types of ownership; private or public. On the territory of the Cicarija Mountain range, a significant part of forests are owned by the village and therefore the objective of the association is to resolve the ownership issue over village forests. The biggest part of the territory is covered with low forests – generally referred to as coppice and its degradation types. Only about 15% of the surface is covered with high forests- seed forest, and they are mostly owned by the state. For the most part they are cultivated with different types of pines. The Model Forest area is not rich in high-quality logs for the wood-processing industry, but the wood it is still mostly used as fuelwood, and so we could say that the particular value of forests on this territory can actually be found in the use of non-wood products. Forest management on karst, and according to the Forest Act (Official Gazette 140/05) such is the whole teritorry of the Region of Istria, is based on the use of generally beneficial forest function. Croatian Forests Ltd., Work unit Buzet invests 30 million kunas a year into the biological reproduction of forests in Istria. In the state-owned forests on the Model Forest area, management is mostly organized on a single-aged forest basis or regular which means that the cutting itself is actually done on relatively small surfaces. If you observe a full-grown forest it is easy to see that all trees of the prevailing species are of the same dimensions. In the private forests which have a management plan, it is being managed in variable-aged forests way which means that every few years individual adult trees are selected for cutting and in such a way the forest is available for regeneration. The supply of wood on the Model Forest territory amounts to 1.114.351 m3, a ten- year increment amounts to 31.863 m3, and the state or the wood supply predicted for cutting on a ten-year basis amounts to 32.982 m3.

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In the last 5 years, the surface of reafforested territory on the Model Forest area amounts to 61,14 ha, in average it amounts to 12,23 ha/year. The species selected for reafforestation include seedlings of black pine, pubescent oak and turkey oak, and in the Mirna valley pedunculate oak. In the last 5 years, the surface that was involved in forest fires amounts to 199,95 ha, out of which the surface of forest fires in private forests amounts to 125,52 ha. This information shows poor management and maintenance in private forests.

Year Logs (m3) Fire wood and WWP (m3) Total (m3)

2009. 1554 4811 6365 2010. 1264 5201 6465 2011. 1523 3253 4776 2012. 1283 6181 7464 2013. 1395 5245 6640

average/year 1403,8 4938,2 6342

Sale of wood on the Model Forest area, Source: CF Ltd. *WWP-wood for wooden panels

When referring to logs, the prevailing species include black pine, poplar, narrow-leafed ash, pedunculate oak and beech, while the other species are represented in small quantities. The species used for fuelwood are mostly pubescent oak, turkey oak, pedunculate oak, narrow-leafed ash and beech. Out of the WWP (wood for wooden panels), the most represented species are pines (black and common), poplar and other deciduous trees. Despite the fact that stump forests and degraded forests are quite beneficial for biomass production, such production is still underdeveloped on the Model Forest area, and for that matter, such production has not yet even been established anywhere in Istria. On the Model Forest area there is the traditional production of charcoal in the villages Jelovice and Brest pod Uckom, while in the village Sveti Donat, near Buzet, there is a production of charcoal in ceramic stoves.

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FSC certificate is awarded to all state-owned forests that are being managed by Croatian Forests Ltd. The objective of the FSC programme is to promote environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically sustainable forest management in the world by creating internationally recognised standard to be complied with through the principle of responsible forestry. The Forest Stewardship council – FSC is an international body that guarantees for the accuracy of the FSC certificates. The FSC certificate is awarded for a period of five years, and it is subject to annual monitoring visits. According to the definition, „FSC certification means that the forests are managed according to strict ecological, social and economic standards.“ With this certificate the state-owned forests that are being managed by Croatian Forests Ltd. have entered the very peak of the global trends, since the awarded FSC certificate covers the whole area of the state-owned forests and it is a remarkable achievement even on the global scale.

Forest associations

The Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” territory is at the intersection of several big floral areas: Dinaric, Alpic and Mediterranean. On the same territory there are a number of forest associations that spread from the hill tops of Učka where the predominant forest species is beech with autumn moor grass (Seslerio-Fagetum sylvaticae), up to the lower areas in the interior with forests of pubescent oak and oriental hornbeam (Querco- Carpinetum orientalis), and the Mediterranean, but mountain zone of the European hop- hornbeam and pubescent oak forest. Next to the coast of the city of Novigrad there are holm oak and manna ash forests (Fraxino orni-Quercetum ilicis). In the sub-Mediterranean lower parts there are Querco-Carpinetum orientalis phillyretosum and Querco-Carpinetum orientalis cerretosum forests. On the Pazin territory there is a representative forest of submediterranean sweet chestnut (Castanetum sativae submediteraneum). In the Motovun forest there is a pedunculate oak and common hornbeam forest (Carpino betuli-Quercetum roboris) which is influenced by the specific water regime. Due to the hydromorphic soils which are overly humid and consequently the pedunculate oak, a species specific to the climate of Posavina, Podravina and Pokuplje, can be found close to the sea. On the Model Forest area there are cultures or planted plantations of black pine, Aleppo pine and larch, particularly on the flysch territory due to extreme errosion of the area. On the Cicarija mountain range territory, there are juniper, fir and black pine plantations.

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OVERVIEW OF FOREST ASSOCIATIONS IN THE MODEL FOREST ACCORDING TO CLASSES

Apart from the forest vegetation, there is also grassland vegetation (meadows). The grassland vegetation appeared by repressing the forest vegetation through several centuries. This area is covered with Sesleria juncifolia. Today, a natural process of afforestation is visible on meadows that are not being mowed. They represent diverse stages of the future forest with the predominant areas of pine forest, then trees or smaller groups of hop hornbeam, common whitebeam, goat willow and juniper from the neighbouring conifer stands.

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About the Motovun forest and the river Mirna waterflow

The Motovun forest is remnant of native Mediterranean lowland forests which used to exist in the river valleys on the Adriatic. The scientific name for this type of forests is longoza which is an ecosystem of hardwood, deciduous forests that emerged from the soil of river valleys and plains of the Mediterranean littoral area. This forest is located in the vegetative area of thermophile pubescent oak and oriental hornbeam forest is cultivated on the neighbouring hills and which in this area represents a climatogenic community while the alluvial pedunculate oak and common hornbeam forest represent a permanent community adapted to the ecological and edafic factors (flooding, wetlands, etc.). On one hand the permanent floods and microclimate differences allow the development of the climatogenic vegetation, on the other hand the same factors facilitate the development of the hither pedunculate oak and common hornbeam forest. This valuable and rare community is on the list of protected significant habitats. Except for the pedunculate oak, other species that are cultivated in the Motovun forest are narrow-leafed ash, common alder, elm, willow and poplar, all typical species for forests in the river basins in continental Croatia. After the diversion of the river Mirna waterflow and the backfilling of the old riverbed in the 60’s of the twentieth century due to the construction of the road, the electricity pylons, the water pipeline and the accumulation lake Butoniga, the natural ecosystem of the pedunculate oak has been devastated. By chanalizing the flow of the river, the old riverbed was deprived of water which lowered the flow in the drainage cannals, which furthermore, resulted with the occurance of wetlands in specific areas of the Motovun forest. The retention of water has a very negative effect on truffle habitats that are native to the whole Motovun forest territory, and it also influences on the degradation of the forest and on the dying out of species. Here is some information (quotation from the book "Motovun forest and truffles" authors Christian Gallo and Josip Hrka, Publisher "Croatian center Knowledge for the environment”, 2007): "Human involvement into the natural water regime within the Motovun forest caused great changes on the vegetation which reacted quickly to those changes. The level of underground waters, that the pedunculate oak depends on significantly, has changed, and by the construction of the new, channalized Mirna River outside the forest, the natural Mirna flow with the channel system in one part of the forest practically has no effect. Unfortunately, these changes, on top of the massive irrational cutting in the last century, started a process of succession in a negative sense, which consequently caused a change in the ratio of forest species at the expense of pedunculate oak. The pedunculate oak does not tolerate wetlands which occurred in particular parts of the forest and which stopps the most important process in the forest – regeneration, and consequently, the pedunculate oak reacted by dying.

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It is considered that the revitalization of the old – natural flow of the Mirna River would help to return the previous water conditions into the forest. The Mirna RIver used to have a weavy flow through the forest, and consequently, it used to bring the required water and drain the water surplus from the forest. The Plan for putting the old water bed into function exists since 1999, but has once again became popular at the time of development of the document “Green plan for the Oprtalj Municipality”. The Croatian water company has within the project Management plan of the River Mirna waterflow in 2008 invited experts and representatives of the territory to participate in the work of working groups. The working groups were organized with the objective to define general goals and programme measures which would provide an answer to the identified challenges on the territory of the River Mirna Basin.

5 identified potential challenges and influences: • Degradation of natural territories • Pollution of surface waters • Risk of pollution of underground waters • Hydromorphological changes • Increasing need for water

According to the Directive on waters, the Croatian water company has to strive to improve the management of waters, but at all times, it has to pay attention to nature protection, good water quality and the optimisation of use, while public participation in all phases facilitates an integral and mulitidisciplinary contribution on all issues. One of the results of the work of the working groups is a list of possible measures for the River Mirna waterflow. Despite the fact that one of the project results should have been an initial draft of the Plan, and then followed by the final Management Plan of the waterflow of the Mirna River, but it is obvious that such objectives have not been achieved. The Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” was created in order to contribute to the sustainable management of the Mirna River in cooperation with all competent institutions and stakeholders, and in such a way, preserve all significant ecosystems, protected species and valuable forest products in the River Mirna basin.

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HUNTING According to the Hunting Act, hunting, i.e. management of hunting is as an activity that encompasses breeding, protection, hunting and the use of wild game and its parts. The listed tasks have an economic, tourist and recreational function, with the goal to protect and preserve the biological and ecological balance of the natural habitats. In Istria in general, and also in the MF area, there is a tradition of hunting that is more than one hundred years long. Nowdays, every individual hunting unit is managed based on the basis of hunting management with the objective of achieving sustainability. Within the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” there are 15 hunting units (Buje, Momjan, Groznjan, Oprtalj, Mirna, Roc, Cicarija, Lupoglav, Cerovlje, Tinjan, Motovun, Blatnica, Brtonigla, Novigrad and in its most part, the hunting unit Pazin). On the MF territory there are 15 hunting associations that althogether have 1400 hunters. Every year the number of foreign hunter who visit this territory increases (500- 1000 in the whole Istria; depending on the year), and therefore hunting tourism makes a significant part of tourism in these parts. The type of hunting that is popular in the Model Forest territory is the hunting with dogs, and it is not surprising if you consider that Istria is the homeland of two native dog species: the Istrian coarse-haired hound and the Istrian shorthaired hound.

Out of the main types of big game on the MF territory there are: red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) population of 300, the yearly number of harvested animals is 50-60 animals; Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) population of 3600, the yearly number of harvested animals is 900 animals; wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) population of 1000 and the yearly number of harvested animals is 450 animals. Out of the main types of small game there is: common hare (Lepus europaeus Pall.) population of 32oo, the yearly number of harvested animals is 980 tails; and pheasants – common pheasant (Phasianus sp. L.) population of 3000 beeks, the yearly number of harvested animals is 1370 beeks. Apart from the listed animals, the hunting unit Ćićarija also manages the brown bear (Ursus arctos L.), and you can also see the grey wolf (Canis lupus L.), and more rarely, the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx L.).

Out of the other types of game, on the MF territory there are: European badger (Meles meles L.), wild cat (Felis silvestris Schr.), beech marten (Martes foina EHR.) and pine marten (Martes martes L.), least weasel (Mustela nivalis L.), edible dormouse (Myoxus glis L.), red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.), golden jackals (Canis aureus L.), european polecat (Mustela putorius L.), chukar partridge (Alectoris graeca Meissn.), grey partridge (Perdix perdix L.), common quail (Coturnix coturnix L.) and virginian quail (Coturnix virginiana L.), eurasian woodcock (Scolopax rusticola L.), common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus L.), bean goose (Anser fabalis L.), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos L.), eurasian coot (Fulica atra L.), hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix L.), rook (Corvus frugilegus L.), western jackdaw (Coloeus monedula L.), common magpie (Pica pica L.) and eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius L.). The Model Forest territory has a big number of wild game, and therefore we can take pride in the extreme biodiversity and efforts that are constantly being made to change

32 the long hunting tradition into a more significant tourist attraction, all with the purpose to preserve the existing valuable sorts of birds and their habitats.

NON-WOOD FOREST PRODUCTS

According to the Forest Act (OG 140/55), the Act on Nature protection (OG 80/13) and other corresponding documents there is a prescribed definition for forest products, their usage, conditions for collecting and repurchase and everything related to their use.

Apart from wood, other forest products are:

Food products for people: forest fruit, edible plants, roots and underground plants, mushrooms, bee products, etc.

Wild plants or parts of plants used as a medicine; flowers, leafs, stalks, roots, underground stalks, bark of medicinal trees, bushes and plants, lihen, moss, etc.

Products for various industrial and other purposes and needs; branches for flower garlands, ivy, decorative plants, etc.

According to the Regulation on forest management, the use of other forest products involves grazing, browsing, collecting of acorns, collecting of frogs and snails, exploitation of gravel, sand and stone, of fertile black soil and clay.

Croatian Forest Ltd. have published a Regulation on the use of non-wood forest products which, among other things, determines the conditions for collecting forest fruit, mushrooms, edible plants and medicinal, aromatic and spices.

Forest products can be collected by the local population for their personal needs and companies registered for collecting wild plants, forest fruit and mushrooms for commercial purposes.

For repurchase and collecting of mushrooms, aromatic and wild plants, and products with the purpose of processing, sale and other commercial activities, it is necessary to obtain an approval of the Ministry of nature and environmental protection.

For collecting forest fruits in the state-owned forests, it is necessary to obtain a licence for collecting forest fruit and plants from the competent forest administrative unit– the licence can be daily, weekend, weekly or monthly.

The monthly licence is 150 kunas, the weekly is 70 kunas, the weekend licence is 20 kunas and the daily licence is 10 kunas (without VAT).

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The limit for collecting forest fruits and plants for personal needs is up to two kilograms a day. As far as commercial collecting is concerned, it is necessary to report the quantity to competent forest administration unit and pay the compensation for the collected quantity.

Forest fruits are mainly collected for food for people and particularly for the preparation of various nutritive seasonings and dishes, teas, liquors, creams, flour, marmelades, while many of them are used for their medicinal characteristisc.

On the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” territory the forest fruit that are being collected are sweet chesnut (Castanea sativa), rosehip (Rosa canina), Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), common hazel (Corylus avellana), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), elderberry (Sambucus spp.), common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), service tree (Sorbus domestica), stone pine (Pinus pinea), wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca), wild asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius) and black bryony (Tamus communis).

Out of medicinal plants, on this area you can collect St John's wort, common yarrow, common horsetail, common nettle, common plantago, rosemary, wild thyme, basil, mint, wild garlic, common dandelion, common hop and rocket.

In a research which involved collectors of non-wood forest products in Istria during 2012 (FOPER -Forest policy, economics, education and research -„Non wood forest products entrepreneurship, market and marketing“) the following results were obtained.

100 % of collected forest fruits (forest and berry fruits) is used for personal use and processing

80 % of collected medicinal plants are used for personal use, and the rest is for commercial use

30 % of picked mushrooms are for personal use, the remaining 70 % is sold and processed

98 % of wild asparagus is for personal use

The collectors gather up to 500 kg of medicinal plants and up to 1000 kg of berry fruit and forest fruit. The wild plant collectors have drawn the attention on the lack of purchase points for wild plants.

Medicinal plants and forest fruits harvested for personal use are mostly used in the gastronomical offer of agritourisms, catering facilities or family farms on the territory of the MF.

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Mushrooms

Individual commercial mushroom harvester can for the purpose of processing, sale and other commercial activities gather a maximal quantity of 10 kg a day. According to the data of the Ministry of nature and environmental protection, the Region of Istria, with its 648 registered harvesters of both surface and underground mushrooms, has the highest number of harvesters in the whole Croatia. According to the regulations and pricelist of the Croatian Forests Ltd. the monthly mushroom harvesting licence is 200 kunas, the weekly licence is 100 kunas and the daily is 50 kunas (without VAT). For the purpose of processing, trade and other commercial activities, it is allowed to collect only the commercial species of mushrooms, out of which on the Model Forest area you can find: the chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), the black trumpet (Craterellus cornucopioides), boletus (Boletus aereus, B. edulis), the hedgehog mushroom (Hydnum repandum, H. reufescens), the honey fungus (Armillaria sp.), the red pine mushroom (Lactarius deliciosus, L. sanguifluus, L. semisanguifluus), the trooping funnel (Clitocybe Geotropa) and St. George's mushroom (Calocybe gambosa)… According to the Regulation on mushroom protection (OG 34/02) it is forbidden to collect protected species of mushrooms or parts of it. Mushrooms that are protected are those that are endangered and very rare and/or whose population has significantly decreased due to habitat destructions or due to over-exploitation and uncontolable harvesting, and has consequently become a threatened species. Some of the most frequent protected edible species of mushrooms on the Model Forest territory are: Amanita caesarea (Caesar's mushroom), Boletus fechtneri, Boletus regius (royal bolete), Hygrophorus marzuolus (March mushroom), Hygrophorus poetarum, Hygrophorus russula (waxycap), Tricholoma caligatum (American matsutake). By correct and controlled harvesting of forest products we will contribute to the preservation of plant species, as well as, the biological diversity on the Model Forest area.

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Truffles Since truffles are dominantly developed in forests and create a symbiosis with forest trees, their habitats present a forest resource, and in Croatia they are mostly used in Istria, even though it is publicly known that the habitats of those mushrooms can be found in other parts of Croatia. They are receiving special attention due to the high gastronomy demand, low availability and long and expensive reproduction. Truffle management in forest ecosystems of Croatia is not organized. Today’s problem of sustainable truffle management is increasing due to the changes of ecological conditions, intensive and unorganized harvesting, as well as due to a decrease in the tree vitality. Today, there are more than 2000 truffle hunters on the Motovun forest territory, while the same territory used to count around 300 truffle hunters. Thirty years ago, truffle hunters with the help of their dogs, have been known to find up to a kilogram of truffles a day, while today, it is considered a success if the hunters find between 100 and 200 grammes of this mushroom. Between the underground truffle types, on the MF territory, hunters collect the big white truffle (Tuber magnatum, T. borchii) and the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum, T. aestivum, T. uncinatum, T. brumale). According to the Regulations on mushroom protection (OG 34/02) individual commercial truffle hunter can, for the purpose of processing, sale and other commercial activities, collect a maximal quantity of 0,5 kg of truffles, while the quantity for personal needs is limited to 0,1 kg a day. According to the same Regulation, underground mushroom types can be harvested in the period between 15 September and 31 January. Due to the fact that particular truffle types ripe even earlier it is possible to harvest them from May. The Model Forest association will try to influence this legislation. According to the new pricelist of the Croatian Forests Ltd. which are in charge of giving licences for truffle harvesting in the state-owned forests, the seasonal licence amounts to 1.360 kuna, the monthly licence is 680 kunas, the weekly is 400 kunas, and the daily licence is 160 kunas (without VAT). Commercial collectors must return to the competent forest administrative unit with the harvested quantity of truffles and pay the compensation for it per kilogramme. The compensation per kilogramme for white truffles is 160 kunas, and 40 kunas for all other truffle types. In the last ten years (from 2003 until today) the total registered quantity of harvested truffles amounts to 15.730 kg of white truffles and 21.943 kg of black truffles. The data has been obtained from the Ministry of environmental protection and it is valid for the whole Croatia territory, but since truffles are mostly being harvested on the territory of the Region of Istria, the data is relevant for the MF territory.

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Unofficial data point out that the quantity of harvested truffles is between five and ten times higher than the official records of the Ministry of environmental protection show.

The research conducted with the truffle hunters in Istria in 2012 (FOPER -Forest policy, economics, education and research -„Non wood forest products entrepreneurship, market and marketing“) we have obtained the following results.

Individual truffle hunter harvest between 10 and 85 kilograms of truffles per season which makes an average quantity of 20 kg per season.

The truffle hunter spends between 50 and 150 days a year harvesting truffles.

99 % of truffles is intended for sale and processing

The problems that have been identified by the harvesters is the lack of purchase points for truffles, the lack of control of harvesting and of sale, the lack of truffle exchange, the lack of a truffle association in Istria, the necessity to harmonize the Regulation on mushroom protection with the real condition in the field, the problem of habitat destruction due to improper harvesting of the mushroom.

The solutions identified by the harvesters are: the need to legalize the purchase of truffles, establish truffle hunter associations, limit the number of truffle hunters on a particular area, harmonize the plans of forest and water management on territories with valuable truffle habitats, the need for education on proper truffle harvesting, introduce inspection services for harvesting and sale of truffles, organization of promotional truffle festivals.

Two companies included in this research that are registered for the processing and sale of truffles process up to 10.000 kilogrammes of truffles a year.

Due to the significant importance of this resource, the Model Forest will advocate to organize an experiment that involves an increase of production in the natural truffle habitats, creation of plantations for commercial production of white and black truffles and establishment of special mycological reserve where the main focus of interest will be the protection and preservation of genofond and production of the great white truffle as the most significant and most endangered species on that area.

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7000

6000

5000

4000 white truffle 3000 black truffle

2000

1000

0 2003. 2004. 2005. 2006. 2007. 2008. 2009. 2010. 2011. 2012. 2013.

The annual truffle quantities on the Model Forest territory kg/year (source: Ministry of nature and environmental protection)

By joining forces with the scientific, research and other institutions that are relevant for the protection and use of non-wood forest products, the Model Forest will encourage the adoption of new decisions, regulations and strategic regional directions, all based on the recent scientific understandings and analysis of existing problems in cooperation with the territory representatives.

AGRICULTURE A significant part of the MF territory or 28.308 ha belongs to used agricultural land suitable for the development of different cultures, in particular, potatoes, cerelas, tomatoes, olives, wine, vegetable and fruit cultures, all for food production. The part of uncultivated agricultural land reaches about 34% of the total agricultural land even though, for example, the production of olives and lavender is increasing in the last ten years, at the same time, agricultural land is being abandoned. According to the Agriculture census from 2003, the most represented animals are pigs, rabbits, cows, goats and sheep, and the least represented are horses. Pig farming is one of the most important branches of livestock breeding because the majority of producers can obtain a final product – the cured Istrian ham. Sheep and cattle farming, as well as, breeding of native species – sheep –the Istrian pramenka and the Istrian cattle – boskarin. Breeding of the native species of the Istrian goat is also encouraged.

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The production of cow, sheep and goat cheese, milk and curd is increasing in the last ten years in order to satisfy the increasing market need for local and naturaly produced dairy products. Regarding the fruit cultures, the most represented species are plums, apples and pears, cherries and peaches because of the excellent conditions of productions for those types, while viticulture has traditionally been the most important agricultural branch. Production of olive oil is another significant activity which is mostly done on family farms and craft businesses where producers also directly sell their products. There are several oil mills for the production of olive oil on the MF territory. The MF territory is one of the most beneficial areas for the grape growing. The most represented is the white wine variety, the Istrian malvasia, and recently, also chardonnay. From the other white varieties, there are white pinot, grey pinot, yellow muscat, white muscat, muscat from Momjan and sauvignon white. From the red varieties, the native varieties deserve mentioning, teran and hrvatica, then borgogna, muscat porec rose, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and pinot red. The number of wine varieties cultivated on this area is significantly greater that the number mentioned. There are no precise data on honey production and other bee products, but the number of bee hives is significant. There are several households that produce honey and other bee products (acacia honey, chestnut honey, meadow honey, forest honey, propolis, bee wax, etc.)

Fishery On the Model Forest territory, fishery is developed in the Novigrad area but mostly has a local significance as a source of employment and income for a significant number of fishing families. Fishing is tightly connected to the tourist season and gastronomy offer, and looking at it from that point of view it surely has a significant economic value. The construction of a sea port, the establishment of the fish market and encouragement of organized production are the three essential priorities that require handling in order to improve fishery. Freshwater fishing is also present at the territory of the MF but it is generally sufficient only for personal needs of the local population.

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TOURISM

Tourism is one of the strategic priorities of the Model Forest association. In this area, tourism has constantly been developing thanks to rich natural, cultural and traditional resources. Rural tourism is trying to strengthen its capacities by increasing tourist capacities and by designing new tourist products, all according to the strategy of rural development of the Region of Istria. The Model forest area can take pride in the diversity of natural landscape such as the sea, the mountains, hills with olive groves and grape vine, fertile valleys and rivers, and in the lack of industry and pollutants. Thanks to the agriculture sector, this area is rich in quality local products such as the olive oil, wine, honey, cheese and processed meat, as well as, fruit and vegetables. Investments are being made into the promotion of agricultural and craft products and organization of various event, such as sports, gastronomy, cultural and enology which are beneficial for the whole community, and especially, for the visitors who, in such a way, get to know this area by using all of their senses. The perspective for the development of tourism in this area is in the connection of coastal and central part of Istria in such a way that promotes the tourist arrangements which includes the beautiful natural scenery, local products, gastronomy and culture of the rural area. The goal is to achieve sustainable rural tourism in which the Model Forest will offer a recognizable tourist product.

Tourism of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” in numbers This area has over 600.000 arrivals and 3.000.000 overnight stays. According to the structure, tourists are mostly of foreign origin, with the exception of the Municipality of Oprtalj which has more domestic than foreign tourists.

Tourist offer of the MF territory: - Culture – culture monuments, picturesque towns from the Middle Ages, Glagolitic alphabet, fresco wall painting, traditional music culture, exhibitions, galleries, … - Enogastronomy offer – truffles, wine, olive oil, fish, honey, chestnuts, medicinal plants, mushrooms, asparagus, cured ham, cheese, traditional Istrian cuisine, Istrian pastry, wine roads, olive oil roads, festivals of traditional enogastronomy products, thematic events dedicated to a specific product, organized tastings, agritourism, …. - Sport offer – numerous cycling and hiking trails, paragliding, climbing, tennis, swimming, diving, speleology, motorcycling, riding, hunting, … - Wellness and Vitality tourism

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Some tourist products of the MF territory: Groznjan cultural summer, Baredine Cave, Tractor story-Nova Vas, Stanzia Spin, Tuberfest in Livade, Wine festivals, Alpe Adria folkfest, Chesnut festival in Oprtalj, JulesVerne Days in Pazin, Trade in etno festival in Pazin, Festival Jazz is back! in Groznjan, Motovun film festival, Honey Days in Pazin, Istrian ham Festival in Tinjan, the Ucka Fair, Istrian mountain trail, Caving house in Vodice...

In the Brtonigla area:

-Istrian malvasia Festival in Brtonigla -traditional enogastronomy festivity, Mramornica Cave, Aquapark Istralandia , Choco & Wine festival in Brtonigla, Mushroom Days, Natural park "Skarline", Brtonigla tour – excursion with a tourist train, Fair of the old trades association Maison chic from Brtonigla, ...

In the Motovun area:

- Teran and Truffles Festival – TeTa, Fruit festival, Veli Joze – Motovun, destination of world gians, recreational cycling marathon Parenzana, Parenzana train – Veli Jože trail, Versi na sterni – meeting of chakavian poets, Sweet Istria-exhibition of traditional Istrian pastry, …

In the Buzet area:

- Istrian truffles festival in Buzet , “The truffle hunt“ (at the family estates of the Karlic, Zigante, Kvinto family, ...), Showroom „Natura truffles”, Exhibition of rakija (homemade cognac) in Hum, Asparugus Days…

-Sport activities: paragliding -5 runways, free climbing- 6 locations, 14 cycling trails, 7 hiking trails…

In the Novigrad area:

- Street Magic Festival “Magic NoviGrad”, Astro party Lunasa, Painting and Photo ex Tempore, Istria Winter Cup, Gnam Gnam festival, Istria Granfondo (Novigrad-Umag), Seashell Days…

Some of the planned projects in the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” - Project of revitalization of the settlement Zavrsje - Project Multifunctional cultural centre in Groznjan, Golf court Vrnjak, Bike park Groznjan - Eco-museum “House of olive oil“ in Tar - Parenzana Magic bike –path of health and friendship - Construction of the visitors’ centre in the Nature park Ucka on Poklon - Arranging access road to the ruins of the medieval Rasporske fort

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In the Novigrad area: Golf court Mujela River Mirna estuary “Antenal” – ornithological reserve in the making Museum of fishery In the Brtonigla area: Museum of wine and peasant creativity in Brtonigla Valorisation of archaeological sites Sv. Juraj Cave, Sv. Juraj Castle and Valaron Fortification Valorisation of the urban core of the Brtonigla settlement Traditional eco-park paths Park & Ride in Brtonigla

CULTURAL,HISTORICAL AND TRADITIONAL HERITAGE OF THE TERRITORY

Cultural heritage can be divided into material (movable and fixed) and non-material heritage. Individual fixed cultural assets are buildings and building complexes that have a significant historical, artistic, scientific and social importance. The Model Forest territory has numerous facilities with protected material heritage of cultural and historical character. Fixed heritage: -Rural-urban complexes, cultural and historical complexes, parts of castles, chapels, construction monuments, archaeological sites, locations with ethnological content, churches, palaces, and castles altogether reach a number of 164 facilities. We can point out the Glagolitic lane, Hum – the smallest town in the world and towns from the Middle Ages – the old city of Buzet, Roc, Sovinjak, Vrh, Motovun, Groznjan, Novigrad, Buje and the Pazin Castle. Movable assets: -Protected movable historical and cultural heritage (material) numbers many objects and it is not possible to determine their exact number. The heritage that encompasses church altars, reliefs, frescoes, church organs, sculptures, sacral inventory in the church and other objects amounts to a number of 38. Museum collections can be found in the City Museum in Pazin, the State archives in Pazin, the Ethnographic Museum of Istria in Pazin, Ethnographic Museum in Buje and the County Museum of the city of Buzet with its dislocated workshops (the blacksmith’s, the baker’s and the workshop for the production of horn combs) and the armory. In Buzet there is also a replica of the Gutenberg press (with a display of operation and a possibility of making photocopies). In Novigrad there is a Museum collection of the Austro-Hungarian navy “Gallerion” and in the Museum Lapidarium, a collection of stone monuments – gravestones (lapidary) from the early Roman times.

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Non-material cultural heritage that is being transferred from one generation to another within a community is created as a reaction to the surroundings, mutual activities with nature and to historical events. It gives people a sense of identity and continuity and in such a way promotes the respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. The specificity of particular areas like the little town Hum which has been developing its identity as “the smallest town in the world”, the town Roc as the centre of the Glagolitic alphabet, Vrh which is known for its famous champagne, the Municipality of Brtonigla which is actively being directed towards ecological programmes with the objective to become recognizable as the 11th “ecological municipality”, and furthermore, as the first ecological municipality in Croatia, and Livade, as the centre of truffles contribute to the non-material heritage of the Model Forest territory.

Other non-material cultural heritage - Subotina and Subotina po starinski in Buzet – old traditional public festival - The Buzet carnival and the traditional game “na ruh”- the biggest carnival event of the Northern Istria - Grape Days in Buje- traditional festivity of grape picking with a tradition of over 100 years - Sculptor school Kornarija in Buje- long-term tradition in the sculpture sector - Festival of Istro-venetian dialect in Buje– literary-artistic festival that celebrates the Istro- venetian dialect and its use in the Northern Istria - “Zarozgajmo na Cicariji” – festival of traditional music from the Cicarija area - Bugarenje – traditional singing from the Cicarija area - “Z armoniku v Roc” - international festival of the small diatonic accordions - Hum Day and the election of the Mayor for one year - Festival of the Istrian klapa singing (traditional a cappella singing) - Gunjci – three players on the instruments: vijulin (violin like instrument), bajs (violoncello like instrument) and accordion - Speech –dialect - The game “on the horn”- on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, Motovun organizes the game “on the horn”. The rules of this amusing game are very simple: one contestant throws a bull’s horn while other players try to throw their wooden sticks as close as possible to the first one thrown. - Kolejani from Kaldir - before the holiday of Epiphany, in Kaldir there is a procession of kolejani, Christmas and New Year’s gratulants, visiting one house after another during the whole night. The procession starts with the water blessing ceremony in the parish church of St. John the Christian and following the old ritual, led by the shining star and the Three Wise Men Gaspar, Melkior and Balthazar, the kolejans stop in front of every house, and with their singing of traditional Christmas songs bring smiles to all family member faces and receive presents for their singing such as sausages, wine and eggs. - Frescoes workshop and Glagolitic workshop in Roc -…

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The whole territory is rich in folklore creativity related to music, dancing, oral tradition, games, ceremonies, traditions and other traditional valuables.

MEDICINAL PLANT SPECIES ON THE TERRITORY OF THE MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN” Medicinal plants are used as an ingredient in food-processing, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Medicinal plants are used for the production of drugs; they serve as the raw material for the production of cosmetic creams, scents, soaps, toothpastes and other. In the food industry, medicinal plants are used as an ingredient in the food processing and various drinks. Nevertheless, the use of medicinal plants is widely spread in folk medicine, as food, drink or medicine.

In the forest communities on the territory of the MF “River Mirna Basin” there are around forty medicinal plants out of which about twenty of them are nowdays being used (in folk medicine): wild garlic (Alium ursinum), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), common heather (Calluna vulgaris), lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), gas plant (Dictamnus albus), common juniper (Juniperus communis), prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon), laurel (Laurus nobilis), yellow miseltoe (Loranthus europaeus), common myrtle (Myrtus communis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), blackberry (Rubus hirtus, Rubus ulmifolius), cladodes (Ruscus aculeatus), common sage (Salvia officinalis), elder (Sambucus nigra), winter savory (Satureja montana), spanish broom (Spartium junceum), blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), rocket (Eruca sativa), hop plant (Humulus lupulus) and little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata) which is in Istria more frequently found in the form of a single tree (cultivated) than as a forest species.

Out of the meadow types the most frequently used are: common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), great yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea ssp. symphyandra), st john's wor (Hypericum perforatum), chamomille (Matricaria chamomilla), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), common rue (Ruta graveolens), common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and chives (Allium schoenoprasum). There are other types of plants on the MF territory that are cultivated due to its medicinal and aromatic characteristics, and they are: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), mint (Mentha sp.), basil (Ocimum basilicum) and marjoram or oregano (Origanum majorana). According to FRA - Global Forest Resources Assessment (www.fao.org/ ) on an annual basis the Republic of Croatia gathers around 10 tonnes of medicinal and the same amount of edible plant species.

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The plant species that are protected in the Republic of Croatia can be commercially exploited only with the approval of the Ministry of nature and environmental protection and only in the amount prescribed in the obtained approval, and consequently, the collectors have to deliver a report on the harvested plants. In case of strictly protected plant species, the Nature protection Act forbids harvesting, destruction and digging of the wild plants and their parts except for the purposes of scientific research and with a special licence. On the territory of the MF, the strictly protected plant species are curry plant (Helichrysum italicum) and common holly (Ilex aquifolium). The protected plant species are rue (Ruta graveolens) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) as a wild plant and then great yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea ssp. symphyandra) which is gathered for traditional folk medicinal purposes. When referring to Istrian native products, it is important to mention biska and st. John’s wor oil. Biska is a native Istrian liquor produced of yellow miseltoe (Loranthus europaeus), homemade brandy and four types of herbs, and it is used as a natural medicine for arteriosclerosis and blood pressure regulation. St. John’s wor oil is made from st. John ’s wor (Hypericum perforatum), and it has an anti-flammatory effect. The medicinal characteristics of st. John ’s wor has a wide use, and it’s oil is well known and appreciated. On page 76, an Annex 3 List of forest varieties of medicinal plants on the MF “River Mirna Basin” territory and their most important characteristics: curative properties, edibility, level of endangerment and protection (categories of endangerment and protection). On page 79, an Annex 4 The most frequently used meadow and cultivated varieties of medicinal plants.

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Swot analysis

MAIN CHALLENGES OF THE MF TERRITORY

TODAY TOMORROW

Strength Possibilities Unpolluted and forested territory Development of ecological agriculture and cattle- breeding Great biological diversity of the ecosystem Establishment of the biomass processing plant

Great diversity of the non-wood forest Potential for development of rural tourism based on products local production

Popular destination for rural and Establishment of the plant for processing of non- recreational tourism wood forest products

Motovun forest is a world famous Development of small and middle-size businesses destination of the white truffle based on rural resources Branding of the MF products

Weakness Challenges Lack of sustainable management in Improve management in private forests private forests Stop the degradation of the Motovun forest by Management of the River Mirna regulating the old watercourse of the Mirna River watercourse is not sustainable for the Organization of purchase stations and exchanges for surrounding ecosystem non-wood forest products Non-transparent and uncontrolled sale Conceptualize tourist tours that connect of non-wood forest products gastronomy, nature and culture of the MF Existing tourist resources are not Set up permanent plantations of chestnut, hazelnut mutually connected and have no and of seedlings inoculated by truffle mycorrhizae added value Organize systematic education on the protection of Abandonment of agricultural land nature and environment Numerous wild waste dump sites Establish associations and cooperatives of forest Numerous landowners of small-size owners and farmers forests

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STRATEGIC PLANNING IN A MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN”

Strategic planning is a process through which a group of Model Forest stakeholders defines a unique vision for sustainable landscape management and develops a plan for achieving that vision. Strategic planning helps in the efficient aiming of energy and resources, ensuring that stakeholders’ work is directed towards the same goals. Also, during the years, it helps to assess the proper course of action, as response to environmental changes, and it ensures consistency. “Strategic approach” means to clearly define what the stakeholders want to achieve. It is important to recognize the challenges which will be encountered on the way of achieving the objectives, to know what their resources are and to include all those elements in an efficient approach.

VISION (Why do we want to establish the Model forest?) In the Model Forest territory we are trying to achieve the sustainable management of forest and the Mirna River, in order to encourage economic activities related to valorisation of forest and agricultural resources with the promotion of cultural and natural values of this area.

MISSION (How shall we achieve the vision?) The activities of the Model Forest are based on an open and responsible cooperation between partners whose interests and needs are different, but they are united with a wish to contribute to economic, social and environmental well-being of the area where they live and work.

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1. PRIORITY “Protection of nature, communication and education”

Objective No. 1 Education and informing about the protected areas and natural values Sub goal: Raise the level of ecological awareness and knowledge about the nature and environment conservation. Activities:  Compilation of educational and informative materials about the natural values and indigenous and protected species in the area of Model forest  Once a year, organizing a manifestation about the Model Forest where the activities of the Model Forest will be presented- through lectures, exhibitions and informative materials  Organization of lectures, seminars and workshops on natural values of the Model Forest

 Promotion of Motovun forest values and the importance of its conservation  Setting up different educational trails in the area of the Model Forest  Initiating educational and promotional campaigns aimed at the sustainable development of the area  Promotion of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” on social networks

Objective No. 2 Practicing educational workshops on natural values in the area of the Model Forest, with children and young people

Activities:  Organizing systematic educations on natural values in cooperation with schools and universities (suggest an educational program to Administrative department for culture and education of the Region of Istria)

 Education of teachers and trainers on natural values and landscape in order to implement education in nature inside their institutions  Establishment of eco groups in the Model Forest area (e.g. Nature keepers)  The implementation of outdoor program “School in the forest” and summer camp for children and young people

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Objective No. 3 Recovery of wild waste dumps in the area of the Model Forest

Activities:  Organizing work actions for environment cleaning in cooperation with towns and municipalities, tourist organizations, villages and local committees  Promotional activities related to recovery of wild waste dumps  Organizing lectures and workshops on wild waste dump problem

Objective No. 4 Recycling and quality waste management in the area of the Model Forest

Activities:  Education on recycling and quality waste management in cooperation with Local administrative units and authorized institutions  Improve the system of waste collection by introducing necessary infrastructure in the area of the Model forest  Educating the residents on creative waste usage

Objective No. 5 International and regional cooperation Activities:  Cooperation with the Model forests in the Mediterranean and International Model Forest Networks  Cooperation with the Local Action Groups (LAGs)  Cooperation with national and foreign institutions, organizations and other legal bodies

Measurable results or effects: restructured waste dumps, lectures, activities of cleaning, educative workshops, educative programs for school, number of projects, informative materials, eco-groups, presence of the Model forests in media, educative trails, events and new infrastructure. Activity holders: civil associations in the area of the Model forest, authorized institutions for protection of nature, towns and municipalities. Included and target groups: schools, young people and children, residents from the Model forest area, the public, media.

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2. PRIORITY „Cultural and rural tourism“

Objective No. 1 Development of the destination and brand of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” Sub goal: Prevent the population outflow from the Model Forest area

Activities:  Defining the recognizability and creating the marketing plan for the area of the Model forest “River Mirna Basin”  Creating the promotional materials for sustainable tourism and eco-tourism with an emphasize on indigenous and traditional in the area of the Model forest  Encourage the revitalization of traditional crafts and trades with the tendency of recognition of the Model Forest area  Encourage the valorisation of existing old schools in the area of the Model Forest for the purposes of tourism

Objective No. 2 Creating the projects for development of rural tourism and eco- tourism

Activities:  Engaging the Model Forest stakeholders in the projects for development of rural tourism and eco-tourism  Gathering information about the competitions for financing the projects of tourism development in rural areas  Encourage the uniting of tourism operators in the Model Forest area, with the aim of creating new products and services

Objective No. 3 Compilation of tourist offers which include natural, gastronomic and cultural values of the area - Excursions through the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin” Activities:  Organize tourist tours through the Model Forest and promote them in tourist offices all over the Model Forest area  Include the producers of food and family farm owners from the Model Forest area in the tourist offer

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 Including the cultural and traditional heritage, religious moments and the history of the Model Forest rural area in the tourist offer (e.g. singing from Cicarija mountain range, traditional production of charcoal, religious tourism- Zrenj, and memorial room for the foundation of the first Croatian school…)  Including the visits to the breeders of indigenous species (e.g. Istrian cattle -boskarin, Istrian goat, Istrian sheep, vine sorts, olives…) in the tourist offer  Including the natural and cultural characteristics of the Model forest area in the tourist offer (e.g. truffles harvesting, mushrooms and olive picking, production of olive oil, collecting of medical herbs, manufacturing of products of wild fruit and berries…)

Objective No. 4 Valorization of mountain and recreational tourism

Activities:  Encourage the construction of mountain lodges and mountain infrastructure on the mount of Cicarija, southern massif of Ucka and on the entire area of the Model Forest  Regulating the off-road driving through forests in cooperation with authorized institutions  Issuing a multilingual booklet “Guide and Diary on the Istrian Mountain Road (184 km)”  Issuing the mountain maps of the area of the Model forest  Organize tourist mountain hiking tours  Issuing informative material in several languages about the hiking trails and accommodation capacities for mountaineers  Promotion of cycling trails and extreme sports in the area of the Model Forest

 Realization of educative nature trails, resting areas, gazebos and information points

Measurable results and effects: number of tourist visits to the area of the Model Forest, new tourist packages in the area of the Model Forest, number of tourist capacities included in the tourist tours Model Forest “River Mirna Basin”, lectures, informative materials, projects which develop rural tourism, mountain lodges, information points, paths.

Activity holders: tourist offices and agencies in the area of the Model forest, Mountain Association of the Region of Istria, associations of mountaineers, towns, municipalities, sole traders, companies and family farm owners.

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Included and target groups: tourists, residents from the Model Forest area, food producers, the owners of accommodation capacities, associations in the Model Forest area.

3. PRIORITY „Agriculture, cattle breeding and sustainable development“

Objective No. 1: Encourage the development of sustainable agriculture in the whole area of the Model Forest

Activities:  Encourage the education of farmers about the usage of pesticides in the agriculture  Encourage the uniting of local agriculture producers  Organize the education for farmers and breeders about the usage of funds for agriculture development  Encourage the farmers to form extensive and environmentally friendly production  Revitalization of extensive cattle raising with an emphasize on indigenous species (encouragement for organizing small farms with indigenous species)  Make influence on giving incentives to the families who would return to the abandoned Model Forest areas  Encourage manufacturing- storage capacities for agriculture products  Forming the forests for cattle protection- historical element  Control the invasive agricultural species in the area of the Model Forest

Objective No. 2 Putting abandoned farmland in operation

Activities:  Influence on adopting measures for the conservation of forest meadows and pastures  Encourage the resolution of property rights of abandoned farmland and informing the landowners of the state incentives  Encourage the raising of truffles plantation, and valuable chestnut and hazel plantation on uncultivated abandoned areas

 Encourage raising of indigenous species plantations

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Objective No. 3 Branding the local and indigenous products Activities:  Influence the introduction of criteria for branding the local indigenous products with a stamp Model Forest “River Mirna Basin”- as a proof of authenticity and territorial affiliation  Brand the local agricultural products in the Model Forest area with the stamp of authenticity  Brand the products derived from the breeding of the indigenous animal species.

Objective No. 4 Strengthen the offer and competitiveness of local products

Activities:  Influence the introduction of control of meat and dairy products origin in cooperation with authorized institutions  Promote agricultural products inside the Mediterranean Model Forest Network via the web site Model Forest- initiative “Traceability of local products”  Encourage direct milk selling from the local producers- putting milk machines in the Model Forest area  Develop a marketing plan for promotion of local and indigenous agricultural products from the Model Forest area.

Objective No. 5 Sustainable management of the Mirna watercourse and other watercourses in the Model Forest area

Activities:  Encourage the creation of expert studies on the impact of current management of the Mirna riverbed on the surrounding ecosystems, species and habitats  Informing and educating about the valuable and protected species and habitats in the basin of the river Mirna and other watercourses  Establish communication and cooperation with cities and municipalities and authorized institutions in order to implement the necessary measures to improve the management of the Mirna River and other watercourses  Encourage the creation of hydrographical network of the Model Forest

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Measurable results and effects: farms of indigenous species, new plantations of indigenous species, agricultural cooperatives, new brands and stamps in the Model Forest area, number of families who have returned to the abandoned villages, new means of managing the River Mirna watercourse, manufacturing- storage capacities, lectures, professional studies, an increase in sales. Activity holders: Croatian Agricultural Agency, AZRRI, agricultural associations, Istrian Region, Croatian water management company, family farms and sole trades. Included and target groups: farmers and breeders, owners of agricultural lands, residents from Mirna River basin.

4. PRIORITY „Non- wood forest products” (truffles, mushrooms, wild and medicinal plants, hunting fund, wild fruits and berries…)

Objective No. 1 Protection of the habitat of non-wood forest products Activities:  Promotion and education campaigns on the protection of truffle habitats in Istria and other surface mushrooms  Education of harvesters on proper collection of non-wood forest products  Influence the legislation of non-wood forest products, especially the Regulations on the Protection of mushrooms with respect to the period of truffle picking

Objective Nr. 2 Creating a database of non-wood forest products Activities:  Create a database of existing species and distribution of mushrooms, truffles, wild herbs and berries, in cooperation with the competent institutions  Develop a study on the amount of picking, processing and marketing of the non- wood forest products in the Model Forest area  Education of the residents about the habitats, usage, benefits, and preparation of medicinal and edible plants, mushrooms and fruits

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Objective Nr. 3 Strengthen the offer and processing of non-wood forest products

Activities:  Encourage the involvement of non-wood forest products in gastronomic offer in the Model Forest area  Branding the non-wood forest products with a stamp "Mirna River Basin" Model forest  Creating paths of non-wood forest products (e.g. herbs path or mushroom path ...)  Marketing of local products in the informative materials of the Model Forest  Implement "Traceability of local products" and coding of non-wood forest products; tracking products from where they were collected, processed, and to the place where they are sold  Encourage the construction of plants for the processing of non-wood forest products in the area of the Model Forest  Encourage the processing of non-wood forest products in food, cosmetics and for therapeutic purposes  Encourage the cultivation of truffles in the plantation manner, out of mycorrhized seedlings

Objective Nr. 4 Regulation of non-wood forest products and truffles market Activities:  Encouraging the establishment of stock exchanges for truffles, mushrooms and non- wood forest products  Encourage the organization of purchase stations for non-wood forest products  Encourage the establishment of truffle pickers association in the area of Model forest  Encourage the legalization of truffles and non-wood forest products rurchase  Organize monitoring during the picking of truffles and non-wood forest products

Measurable results: truffles stock exchange, purchase stations, databases, lectures, educative campaigns, promotional materials, truffle plantations, new non-wood forest products, non-wood forest products trails, scientific studies, associations, plants for processing, the number of branded products.

Activity holders: Croatian Forest Research Institute, Croatian Forests, Mushroom association “Boletus”, truffles pickers, companies for truffle and mushroom processing.

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Included and target groups: residents from the Model Forest area, associations, craftsmen, and family farms, processors and collectors of non-wood forest products.

5. PRIORITY „Forestry, hunting and renewable energy sources“

Objective No. 1 Education and consulting of private forest owners Sub goal: Sustainable development of private forests and forest resources

Activities:  Workshops and lectures for forest owners about sustainable forest management, in cooperation with authorized institutions  Establishment of private forest owners associations in the area of the Model Forest  Helping the forest owners in regulating property right relations of rural forests (community forests) on the Cicarija mountain range  Cooperation of the Model forest with the Advisory Service for Forests

Objective No. 2 Promoting the usage of renewable energy resources

Activities:  Education and informing the forest owners about the possibilities of exploiting the biomass  Giving the institutional support to forest owners for participating in projects that encourage the use of biomass and other renewable energy resources  Educative campaigns for the public about the usage of biomass, solar and wind energy  Construction of plants for processing the biomass in the area of the Model Forests  Start using locally produced pellets from biomass in public institutions of towns and municipalities in the area of the Model Forest

Objective No. 3 Afforestation and sustainable management of forests Activities:  Encourage the high breeding forms, so-called spermatophyte, and breeding forms of natural forest structure and indigenous species

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 Influence the introduction of control in illegal wood cutting and other illegal activities on the forest land  Raising the clone seeds of indigenous species  Encourage the plantation of fast growing species; plantation cultivation of chestnut  Influence the reconciliation of cadastre and actual situation on the ground  Encourage the construction and maintenance of forest fire-prevention roads Objective No. 4 Development of infrastructure for wood processing  Encourage the entrepreneurial climate for producing the final wood products  Encourage the processing of woods and by-products and their promotion and branding

Goal Nr. 5 Cooperation on the development of the Hunting strategy in the Region of Istria

Measurable results: plants for processing of biomass, lectures, buildings that use renewable energy sources, forest owners associations, infrastructure for wood processing, new wood products, plantations, seed orchards. Activity holders: Croatian Forests, Region of Istria, Croatian Forest Research Institute, towns and municipalities, community forests. Included and target groups: residents in the area of model forest, forest owners, Advisory Service for Forests.

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FRAMEWORK FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Framework plan for monitoring and valuation (evaluation) of effects recognizes and confirms the connection between the activities and long-term effects in the strategic plan. The framework plan for monitoring and evaluation of effects (M&E) helps to measure and report the expected outcomes and activities results. Expected outcomes of the Model Forest should be presented in a form of a “logical model”. The logic model is a representation of the way the Model Forests should lead to favourable long-term effects. This is mainly a flow graph showing the relationships among activities, consequences, outcomes and expected impacts. The logical model is the basis for strategic oversight of effects on the Model Forest.

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Questions that should be asked include the following: 1. What is the vision of the Model Forest? Has the vision changed? Has there been any progress in its reach during the last several years? 2. What are the values which emphasize the activities of the Model Forest? Are these values respected? Is there any conflict between those values and what the Model Forest is implementing or how is it implemented? 3. Are the expected long-term effects clear? Does the Model Forest have clear, final, desired results?

The relationship between the strategic plan, annual work plan and framework plan for monitoring and evaluation of effects is defined through the following questions: 1. Strategic plan - What are the effects to be achieved by the Model Forest? 2. Annual work plan - What should the Model Forest have to do in the next year to reach the expected results? 3. Monitoring - Is the Model Forest achieving the expected results? 4. Evaluation - Why are the effects achieved or not achieved?

LOGICAL MODEL

STRATEGY →ACHIEVEMENTS → RESULTS Short-term effects - Mid-term effects - Long-term effects

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FINANCIAL PLAN OF THE MODEL FOREST „RIVER MIRNA BASIN“

2014- 2018

ANNUAL INCOMES: In Croatian kuna

Incomes Membership dues Domestic Foreign donations Other Incomes in total donations

2014 14.000 152.000 152.000 7.000 325.000

2015 17.000 152.000 229.000 7.000 405.000

2016 18.000 191.000 305.000 16.000 530.000

2017 19.000 229.000 382.000 20.000 650.000

2018 20.000 305.000 458.000 22.000 805.000

Incomes in total 88.000 1.029.000 1.526.000 72.000 2.715.000

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ANNUAL EXPENSES: In Croatian kuna

Expenses Nature protection, Cultural Agriculture, cattle Non- Forestry, Expenses communication and rural breeding and timber hunting in total and education tourism sustainable wood and development products renewable energy sources

2014 228.000 23.000 24.000 30.000 20.000 325.000

2015 152.000 65.000 65.000 63.000 60.000 405.000

2016 152.000 95.000 95.000 94.000 94.000 530.000

2017 152.000 124.000 124.000 125.000 125.000 650.000

2018 152.000 165.000 164.000 162.000 162.000 805.000

Expenses 836.000 472.000 472.000 474.000 461.000 2.715.000 in total

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GOVERNANCE IN THE MODEL FOREST “RIVER MIRNA BASIN”

MEMBERSHIP Governance structure in a Model Forest is chosen amongst the membership and is responsible to the membership. Regular members of the MF can be local administration units and regional administration units, scientific and expert institutions, public and private companies, civil associations and other legal entities as well as competent private persons – sole traders, family farms that have shown an interest in participating in the activities of the MF and that have accepted its objectives and statute. Except for the conditions listed above for regular membership, it is also important that the headquarters or a branch office of the member i.e. residence is on the territory of the MF or that its activities are being done the territory of the Model Forest. New members initiate the membership procedure by submitting a request to the executive committee which has to decide on the request within a period of 90 days. Regular members of MF have a right to: - participate in the work of the Assembly, choose or be chosen into the bodies of the MF, - participate in the activities of the MF, - participate in the work of permanent committees/working groups of the MF, - be informed of the work of the MF, as well as, of material and financial affairs.

Regular members of MF have a duty to: - respect the provisions of the Statute of the MF, - respect the decisions of the MF governing bodies, - pay the annual membership fee on a regular basis. MF members directly govern the Model Forest through a discussion and by stating their personal opinion in the Assembly, as well as, directly through their representatives in the MF governing bodies, while the preparation of essential development documents (Strategic plan, Action plans, Financial plans) are implemented on the level of permanent Advisory committees/working groups. Governance in the MF is based on the following principles: a) Democratic and participative principle – is based on the assumption that the voice of every MF member is equally valuable, regardless of the realistic social influence and power. Although it is formally prescribed that the decisions are adopted by a majority of votes, the intention is to deliver the decisions by using a consensus after an argumentative debate in a

62 casual atmosphere (all decisions on the Constituent Assembly have been delivered unanimously-by consensus). Governance in a Model Forest is for the most part based on a “bottom up” approach where a wide circle of members, to an extent, participates in the decision-making process. A current example of which is the process of preparation of the Strategic plan with the work groups/advisory committees. b) Transparency and publicity principle- if we assume that the activities and objectives of the MF are focused on the general benefit of the whole community on the territory of the MF, the involvement of the public is an unavoidable element of a good governance process. This can be achieved through a direct monitoring of activities by the media and by informing the public using diverse methods. A precondition for such openness is above all the internal transparency, openness and a free flow of information amongst the members of the MF. c) Responsibility principle – due to the fact that every member of the MF has the same rights, every member also has the same responsibilities in the process of achieving goals and obligations of the MF. All authorities and responsibilities of the governing bodies of the MF are more closely defined in the Statute (Assembly, Executive committee, President, Vice- president and the Supervisory committee. The responsibilities of the key employee, the Secretary, have also been prescribed. The Secretary can be a volunteer or professionally employed. Regardless of the fact that the Working groups/Advisory committees are formally not defined as bodies in the governance structure of the MF due to the national legislation, their contribution is crucial for the process of preparation of decisions and development management of the MF. d) Evaluation principle – in order to be able to controllably direct the development of the MF, and at the same time, governance and the decision-making processes, all in accordance with the needs of the members, it is absolutely necessary to make periodic evaluations of the achieved/non-achieved decisions, plans and programmes. Periodic evaluations will be implemented according to the principle of annual reporting by submitting an annual report of the execution of the financial plan and the report on the realization of the operative programme of the MF. Ad hoc evaluations will be implemented for every individual project initiated within the MF.

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Governing bodies of the MF a) Assembly, b) Executive committee, c) President, d) Vice-president, e) Supervisory committee a) The Assembly The Assembly is a representative and also the highest ranking governing body of the MF and it is composed of all MF members. The General Assembly is held at least once a year, and the Election Assembly is held once every four years. In reality, the general assembly is held twice a year. Once, at the end of the calendar year in order to vote on the annual financial plan and programme, and once in the middle of the year in order to accept and evaluate the financial plan and programme from the previous year. The MF Assembly has the following duties:  Adopts the Statute and other administrative decisions and other amendments and modifications,  Elects and dissolves: the President, Vice-president, members of the Executive and Supervisory committee, members of the Permanent committees/Working groups,  Adopts the Strategic Plan of the MF for a time period of 5 years, and also action plans,  Decides on the appeals against the decision of the Executive committee and on the proposals and demands of the MF members,  Discusses and decides on the reports of the work of the Executive committee, Permanent committees/Working groups and other bodies,  Appoints and dissolves the Secretary of the MF,  Adopt the annual financial report and the balance sheet of the MF,  Makes decisions on the awarding of acknowledgements to individuals and legal entities, as well as to members,  Appoints honorary members of the MF,  Adopts the Rules of procedure,  Performs other duties defined in the Statute and other regulations,  Makes decisions on the cessation of operation of the MF.

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b) Executive committee The Executive committee is a collective and coordinative body of the MF which organises and performs the current activities between two meetings of the Assembly and makes decisions according to its competences. The Executive committee consists of 11 members who are chosen by the Assembly and from the Assembly for duration of 4 years, but they can be re-elected to the same position. When choosing members of the Executive committee, the Assembly pays attention to have suitable representation of all members, and therefore, special attention is given to sectorial, age and gender representation. The Executive committee is composed of 6 representatives from the public sector and 5 representatives from the civil or private sector. The Executive committee has the following duties:  confirms the draft version of the Statute and other administrative documents,  executes the Assembly’s decisions,  manages the MF property,  makes decisions on the acceptance and non-acceptance into regular membership of the MF,  makes suggestions to the Assembly for the nomination of honorary members,  makes decisions on dissolution of members due to the non-payment of membership fees,  executes the financial plan and allocates the planned budgetary means according to the purpose and regularity of using these means, and it also makes implementing decisions,  makes decisions on the conclusion of legal matters on behalf of the MF,  harmonizes the work of MF members and organizes the complete operation of the MF,  organizes and harmonizes the cooperation with other organizations,  makes decisions on the work of occasional working groups and appoints and dissolves their members,  regulates and organizes the printing and informative activities of the MF,  adopts documents that more closely determine the process of awarding public acknowledgements of the MF at the proposal of the Assembly,  makes suggestion to the Assembly of joining the MF into other organizations,

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 appoints and dissolves the representatives of the MF into the bodies of other organizations,  arranges and organizes the realization of expert work of the MF and adopts the necessary documents related to it,  performs other activities determined by the Assembly, i.e., activities required for the regular operation of the MF, in case they are not in line with the Statute or with other documents which are regularly in the competence of other bodies. The Executive committee meets as needed, but at least once in three months. c) President The executive functions and other activities determined by the Statute are performed by the President of the MF and its mandate lasts for four years. The President of the MF:  represents and presents the MF,  convenes meetings of the MF Assembly and presides the work of the Assembly,  presides over meetings and manages the work of the Executive committee,  together with the members of the Executive committee determines on the proposals of the Statute and the annual Programme of activities, as well as, of the Financial plan which are all submitted to the Assembly for examination and adoption,  manages the execution of the adopted Programme of activities, the Financial plan and the execution of the decisions of the Assembly and the Executive committee,  is the authorised person to sign financial documents,  is in charge of familiarization of the public with the operation of the MF (Assembly and Executive committee) or he/she can choose to delegate this task to the Secretary or to public relations employee,  performs other duties determined by the Statute,

The President is responsible to the Assembly of the MF. The President must submit an annual report on his work and on the work of the executive committee to the Assembly of the MF. d) Vice-president The Vice-president is elected by the MF Assembly for a period of four years.

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In case of necessity, the Vice-president is authorized to perform the executive functions and other activities determined by the Statute but normally performed by the President. The Vice-president is responsible to the MF Assembly. e) Supervisory committee The Supervisory committee is a body of control of the MF. The Supervisory committee has a president and two members elected by the Assembly from the Assembly members, in such a way that the Supervisory committee consists of one member from the public sector, one from the business sector and one member from the public. Members of the Supervisory committee are elected for a period of four years. The Supervisory committee makes decision according to the majority of votes. A member of the Executive committee cannot at the same time be a member of the Supervisory committee. Supervisory committee:  oversees the legitimacy of financial and material operation and the allocation of financial means of the MF,  performs other activities determined by the MF Assembly, and  submits a report of its work to the Assembly.

The Supervisory committee has the right and obligation to inform the Assembly and the Executive committee on all activities.

Staff – The Secretary The Secretary of the MF organizes and is responsible for:  professional and technical preparation of the meetings of the bodies of the MF,  execution of the decisions of the Assembly, the Executive committee and the President,  execution of professional and technical activities for the requirements of the MF governing bodies.

The duties of the Secretary involve:  handling the administrative operation,

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 coordination of activities between the MF stakeholders, as well as, the international activities of the MF,  coordination of the preparation and of drafting of documents,  keeping the membership records of the MF,  execution of other activities determined by the Assembly, Executive committee, President and other bodies of the MF. The Secretary has to prepare reports on the performance of expert and technical activities of the MF and submit them to the President and the Executive committee at their request, and to the Assembly at least once a year. The Secretary of the MF is appointed by the Assembly for duration of four years. The Secretary does not have to be a member or a representative of one of the members of the MF. A person can be nominated as Secretary if the person has proven with its work, its expert and public engagement that it is committed to achieving the objectives of the MF, as well as if it has proven that it possesses the required expert knowledge and organizational and managerial skills and it also has to be a person who enjoys full trust and has good reputation amongst the MF members. The Assembly has the power to, at all times, make the position of the Secretary a professional one if they decide it is in the best interest of the MF. The Secretary is responsible to the President, the Executive committee and the Assembly.

Permanent committees or working groups Permanent committees or working groups of the Assembly are permanent working bodies organized around individual sectors with the purpose of achieving MF objectives. The groups are collective working bodies consisting of 5 to 7 members and they are elected by the Assembly for duration of four years; the members have to be members of the Assembly. Permanent committees/working groups can hire external experts or scientists for specific issues. Permanent committees or working groups: 1. Committee for forestry, hunting and renewable energy resources 2. Committee for protection and valorisation of non-wood products 3. Committee for agriculture, cattle breeding and sustainable development 4. Committee for rural and cultural tourism

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5. Committee for nature protection, communication and education Permanent committees/working groups are consulting bodies of the Assembly and the Executive committee; they meet as required, but at least once in two months. The Permanent committees/working groups have an equal number of representatives from the public, private and the civil sector. Members of Permanent committees/working groups choose a president of every group amongst themselves. Permanent committees/working groups have the duty to prepare a Programme of activities from their sector of operation as a basis for the strategic plan and the action plans of the MF. Except for the Permanent committees/working groups, the Assembly can also set up temporary committees for specific issues.

CONCLUSION

The Model Forest “River Mirna Basin“is based on a partnership which strives towards sustainable management and it its legal organized as a non-profit association. The Strategic plan for the period of five years determines the objectives and challenges that the governance structure of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin“ faces and which has the fundamental task to fulfil those objectives and challenges, and justifies its establishment. The management of the Model Forest “River Mirna Basin“ will set permanent relations with other members of the Model Forest network and through a series of international projects and with the financial means from the funds of the European Union and other international funds achieve a common vision.

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