Data from sources such as the European Red List of Butterflies indicate negative trends in the number of insects in Europe, in fact over 30% of taxa show regression. One of the most threatened butterflies in Europe is Parnassius apollo. Its decrease in numbers during the last 25 years is 20-50%.
The aim of this international project is to recreate the Parnassius apollo populations in 3 functional areas: Sudetes and White Carpathians in the Continental bioregion and strengthen the Austrian population in the Alpine bioregion.
The first of its kind
During the project, 3 additional breeding farms and 3 new functional areas will be created to anchor the populations in natural conditions, as well as at least 38 “stepping stone sites” to secure species migration corridors between the new sites. The project is therefore the first to implement test and pilot actions for further population development in the bioregions by:
- Recreating of populations in Poland, Czechia in the Continental bioregion and strengthening the Austrian population in the Alpine bioregion
- Creating a coherent methodology for Apollo butterfly protection in the Continental bioregion
- Improving habitat quality of the species such as protecting breeding habitats and feeding grounds
- Creating ecological corridors
- Raising awareness towards the conservation and maintenance of habitats and of the species
- Strengthening social involvement in species protection
Our volunteers never cease to surprise. They perform well outdoors, in the garden, and in the kitchen. There are many special tasks, but none of them are scary for them 💪
Volunteer tasks include:
● butterfly monitoring 🦋
● work in breeding 🐛🌱
● education on the trails 🧑🏫🗻
● project promotion 🎉🗣️
● but most importantly, baking cupcakes! 🧁
🟠 Check out the pictures!
#LIFEApollo2020 #Parnassiusapollo #ApolloButterfly #LIFEproject #LIFEprogramme
#citizenscienceforapollo #GdzieJestDużyBiałyMotyl
This year, our Polish partners - Klub Przyrodników and @karkonoski_pn have collaborated to launch a pilot 𝗔𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 🦋🧍🧍♂️🧍♀️🌱
This initiative offers practical experience to students and graduates of nature-related fields, as well as to anyone passionate about nature conservation, by providing the opportunity to gain professional experience alongside the LIFE Apollo2020 team.
From the start of July until the end of the month, amazing groups of volunteers have been working with us, supporting various project activities. They receive trainings and use their skills and creativity to support field monitoring, educational activities, and citizen science campaigns 🌍🔍💡
We highly recommend following their efforts, as they are doing an excellent job working to protect the critically endangered Apollo butterfly! 🦋💪
Team from the first two weeks:
Maria Gezela @nani_invinite
Karolina Baranowska @_xenia462_
Łucja Płachecka
Magdalena Przybył
Ola Krzyżanowska
Jacek Gajc
Dominika Pawelec
Ola Bednarska
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
#LIFEApollo2020 #LIFEproject #LIFEprogramme #Parnassiusapollo #ApolloButterfly #MissionButterfly #followapollo #PilotCooperation #YoungProfessionals #GainingExperience #Opportunities #ProfessionalVolunteering #biodiversity #knowledgetransfer #sustainability
🌺Last week, school children from Nowa Rudy-Słupiec visited the Uniemysl field station in @karkonoski_pn, Poland!
🌼It was a very nice experience from both sides, smart and interesting natural mysteries for the kids! Apart from the Apollo, we explored together the secrets of nature of the surroundings of the most beautiful extensive meadows in the middle of the Sudetes
#LIFEApollo2020 #LIFEproject #LIFEprogramme #parnassiusapollo #apollobutterfly #missionbutterfly #followapollo
🦋🌱Even before the end of the school year, our Czech partner, Vzdělávací a informační středisko Bílé Karpaty, organizes project days for schools. This time it was for Vnorovy primary school near the Ba Šova canal. They paid attention to the life of butterflies on one site.
🦋🌱If you are also interested in a project day for your pupils, let us know at the end of the holidays, when we will begin to accept orders for the new school year.
#LIFEApollo2020 #LIFEproject #LIFEprogramme #parnassiusapollo #apollobutterfly #missionbutterfly #followapollo