The Still Water Revival project, led by Biom Association, has concluded after three years of dedicated work to restore and conserve small freshwater habitats across four karstic mountain ranges in Croatia: Biokovo, Dinara, Velebit, and Učka. These mountains are characterised by a lack of surface water, and historically relied on ponds and wells constructed by local communities for pastoral use.

In recent decades, many of these water bodies have deteriorated due to abandonment and natural succession. The project set out to halt their decline, restore their ecological function, and engage communities in their long-term care.

Key achievements include:

• 34 ponds and wells restored, now offering accessible water sources for both wildlife and livestock.
• Ecological assessments and a prioritisation protocol developed to guide restoration efforts based on environmental value and urgency.
• Volunteer camps and mechanical restoration work to remove vegetation, restore clay linings, and rebuild dry-stone walls.
• Community engagement through school programmes and the launch of a pond caretaker initiative to foster local stewardship.
• A final conference brought together over 100 participants from Croatia and neighbouring countries, sharing knowledge and building momentum for future work on freshwater restoration.

To ensure the sustainability and replication of the project’s success, a set of guidelines for pond and well restoration using traditional techniques was published, designed for institutions and individuals interested in restoring still water habitats but unsure where to begin.

For more information and access to project materials

To receive the project materials, including the ecological assessment methodology (A2), prioritisation protocol (A4), and restoration guidelines (A16), contact project manager Luka Škunca at luka.skunca@biom.hr.

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