Three monitoring visits were organized by Macedonian Ecological Society from 9 to 20 May that marked the Fascination of plants day in Macedonia. This was actually monitoring of IPA and other plant species for beginners where we presented some of the basic principles of how monitoring of wild plants is done. Young people were majority among the participants on these events. Groups of students from local schools, professors of biology, volunteers, members of local NGOs had an opportunity to get familiar with the basics of plants monitoring and of course to enjoy in the colours of spring flowers.

Visit 1: Ilinska Mt. IPA.

On this visit monitoring and inventory of wild plants on wet meadows along the Crna Reka River took place.

Visit 2: Bogdanci IPA

Group of students from local high school, professors and other volunteers visited the habitat of Quercus coccifera, where one of the most important IPA species was spotted, Astragalus physocalyx which is categorized as A(i).

Visit 3: Prespa Lake IPA

On this IPA, we visited one special locality known as Ezerani Nature Park. It is a wetland reach in different types of habitats and plants. The group learned more about the mosaic of habitats in such small area.

Photo: Challenge to find selected plants at Ilinska Mt. IPA