Tiny but mighty: The Diving Beetles

What insect can swim, fly – and hunt frogs?   In this edition of Tiny but Mighty, we introduce another small but fierce freshwater predator: the diving beetle!  Diving beetles (family: Dytiscidae) are true multitalents of the freshwater world. You can usually spot them in ponds and shallow lakes, but these remarkably versatile insects are […]

Tiny but Mighty: Dragonflies

A series of Tiny but Mighty Freshwater ecosystems are full of life. We tend to notice the obvious residents first: fish darting through reeds, frogs calling from pond edges, or we catch the splash of a beaver’s tail.  But beneath the surface lies a far richer, and largely unseen world, powered by tiny yet mighty […]

Protecting Rivers with Nature-Based Solutions: Treatment Wetlands

Rivers naturally break down pollutants, but this ability is limited and easily exceeded by continuous human pressure. Rural areas face particular challenges, as their scattered settlements, difficult terrain, and high costs make centralized sewer systems impractical. Wastewater from these communities also varies greatly in flow and composition, requiring treatment systems that are simple, robust, and […]

Montenegro Gains a New Protected Area

At its session yesterday, the Municipal Assembly of Bijelo Polje adopted a decision proclaiming part of the Ćehotina River a Natural Monument. With this act, another gem among Montenegro’s rivers has been placed under legal and institutional protection, bringing major benefits to Bijelo Polje and the country as a whole. Rising below Mount Stožer and […]

Europe Breaks New Record in River Barrier Removals: More Countries Join the Movement to Restore Free-Flowing Rivers

Across Europe, more than 1.2 million barriers—including dams, weirs, and culverts—fragment rivers, choking the life out of freshwater ecosystems. Many of these structures are obsolete, yet they continue to disrupt the natural flow of water, sediments, and species. This has taken a heavy toll on biodiversity, contributing to a staggering 75% decline in freshwater migratory […]

New Exhibition Rivers, Traces and Entanglements Opens in Zagreb

The exhibition Rivers, Traces and Entanglements opened tonight at the Gallery AMZ in Zagreb as part of celebrating the Earth Day. Organized by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb (AMZ), the exhibition invites visitors to explore rivers as dynamic, living landscapes—emphasizing their ecological, historical, cultural, and political significance. The works on […]

United for Rivers: Highlights from the 3rd International Conference on River Protection in Southeast Europe

The 3rd International Conference on River Protection in Southeast Europe, held from 8 – 10 April 2025 in Skopje, North Macedonia, successfully concluded after three intensive days of dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative planning. Organized by The Nature Conservancy and Eko-svest under the umbrella of the United for Rivers initiative, the event brought together more […]

Montenegro’s Bistrica River Joins Growing List of Legally Protected Rivers in the Western Balkans

The Municipal Assembly of Bijelo Polje voted today to bolster the status of Đalovića Gorge as a Natural Monument, marking a significant milestone for sustainable river protection in Montenegro. Following an initiative to protect the Bistrica River, launched by a coalition of environmental groups including Eco-Team and The Nature Conservancy, the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro evaluated […]

Karlovac County Assembly Votes for the Protection of the Mrežnica and Tounjčica Rivers

In a groundbreaking decision, the Karlovac County Assembly has officially confirmed the protection of the Mrežnica and Tounjčica rivers in Croatia and the establishment of two new protected areas, marking a significant milestone in the county’s nature conservation efforts. The decision was reached today following an initiative led by the Public Institution for Nature Protection […]

The Nature Conservancy and Public Institution Natura Viva Join Forces to Protect the Mrežnica River in Croatia

By signing the Memorandum of Understanding today, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Public Institution Natura Viva agree to work together on the establishment of new protected areas along the Mrežnica River in Croatia. Apart from jointly contributing to the protection of the river, both organizations recognize the need for new scientific research in the area, […]