Drava River conservation marked by International Drava Day

The International Drava Day is observed annually on September 23 to raise awareness regarding the conservation of the Drava River, often referred to as the ‘European Amazon’ due to its rich biodiversity. The river serves as a vital habitat for numerous rare and endangered species of birds, fish, and plants, and plays a significant role in the cultural identity and daily life of regions such as Koprivnica-Križevci County.

As part of the LIFE RESTORE for MDD project—an initiative focused on preserving and restoring floodplain forest habitats along the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers—the third annual Drava Day event was held in September 2026. Organized by the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas and Ecological Network of Virovitica-Podravina County, the event included activities at the Dravska Priča Visitor Center and along the riverbanks in the municipality of Sopje. Participants engaged in an 8-kilometer canoe trip to observe the river's ecosystem, an initiative co-financed by the European Union.