On 15 May 2026, the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management officially opened the FMTU Botanical Collection, a new educational and green space located in the Faculty courtyard, on the plot near the Centre for Careers and Professional Practice.
The Botanical Collection was initiated by students and members of the FMTU Eco Committee, with the aim of creating a space for outdoor learning, research and raising awareness of the importance of nature conservation and sustainable development. The initiator of the idea is Erik Štefanac, a first-year graduate student, while the project was coordinated by Jana Krivošić, a third-year undergraduate student and coordinator of the Eco Committee, together with other students and members of the Committee.
As part of the project, indigenous plant species donated to the Faculty by Croatian national parks and nature parks were planted, providing FMTU with a space that connects teaching, research, outdoor activities and topics important for biodiversity, nature conservation and sustainable development.
The implementation of the Botanical Collection included Krka National Park, which donated the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), Northern Velebit National Park, which donated the Velebit degenia (Degenia velebitica), and Plitvice Lakes National Park, which donated the radiate broom (Genista radiata), Hungarian iris (Iris variegata) and hellebore (Helleborus multifidus).
Nature parks also contributed to the project: Lastovo Islands Nature Park donated diss grass (Ampelodesmos mauritanica), wild olive (Olea oleaster), stinking bean trefoil (Anagyris foetida Linnaeus) and Dalmatian biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus ssp. dalmatica); Učka Nature Park donated bulbiferous toothwort (Cardamine bulbifera); Vransko Lake Nature Park donated chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus L.) and European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall.); Kopački Rit Nature Park donated white willow (Salix alba) and summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum); while Telašćica Nature Park donated immortelle and sage.
Professional support in planting and designing the collection was provided by Hrvoje Krivošić, landscape architect at Plitvice Lakes National Park. His knowledge and experience contributed to the proper placement and arrangement of the donated plants.
The official opening was attended by representatives of partner institutions, the academic community, students and project collaborators. The attendees were addressed by Prof. Marinela Krstinić Nižić, PhD, Vice-Dean for Development, and members of the FMTU Eco Committee: Assistant Professor Maša Trinajstić, PhD, and students Erik Štefanac and Jana Krivošić. On behalf of the Croatian national parks and nature parks, which are also donors of the indigenous plant species, addresses were given by Davor Krmpotić, Director of Northern Velebit National Park, Vesna Ahel, Expert Advisor for the Protection and Conservation of Natural Values at Učka Nature Park, and Gordan Lukač, PhD, Head of the Department for Professional Activities related to the Protection, Maintenance, Conservation, Promotion and Use of Paklenica National Park.
The FMTU Botanical Collection has been designed as a space for curricular and extracurricular activities, research, outdoor activities and a more direct introduction to Croatia’s indigenous flora. The project contributes to education on biodiversity and nature conservation and supports the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to quality education, climate action and the protection of terrestrial ecosystems.
We thank all national parks and nature parks whose donations enabled the establishment of the collection, Hrvoje Krivošić for his professional support, Erik Štefanac, Jana Krivošić, the students and members of the FMTU Eco Committee for their initiative, coordination and engagement, as well as all participants who supported the opening of the FMTU Botanical Collection.
