Kras reforestation efforts continue with drones
Kostanjevica na Krasu, 11 November - The reforestation of the Kras region that was devastated in massive wildfire 2022 continues, including by using seed-planting drones, the Forest Service said on Monday. Thousands of seed capsules will be dropped in the area today to be dispersed by drones, hoping to restore more than 10,000 m2 of areas difficult to access.
Miren-Kostanjevica, Sela na Krasu
A presentation on how drones will aid in reforestation efforts by dropping seed pods to help the Kras region recuperate after last year's summer wildfires.
Photo: Bor Slana/STA
Drones will be used to spread seeds of native tree species near the Temnica village with the cooperation of Radenska Adriatic and Projekt O2. The technique can bring results three to five times faster than traditional methods, Projekt O2 said.
In the two years since the fire 45 hectares of land have been reforested and almost EUR 500,000 has been invested into the effort, Miren-Kostanjevica Mayor Mauricij Humar told the STA in July. He expects that out of 3,700 hectares of forests that were destroyed in the fire some 2,000 hectares will recover naturally.
Nearby municipalities are also repairing infrastructure damaged in the fire and are planning to set up hydrants, helipads and fire breaks.
The Forest Service started the reforestation process at the end of 2022 with most works done in state-owned and municipality-owned forests, Humar said.
The reforestation technique using drones was first used in Slovenia in December 2023.