Joint Research and Ecology Center (JREC), which will be built at Tjentiste as part of the project “Cross Border Natural Heritage Network – CBC Nature NET”, will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of nature preservation. That  was announced from the opening conference held on September, 4th 2019 at Tjentiste.

The Research and Ecology Center is jointly formed by the Sutjeska National Park, the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Belgrade and the Public Enterprise “Srbijašume”.

Also, the project covers protected areas in Serbia – the Zlatibor Nature Park, the Mileševska River Nature Reserve, and the landscapes of Kamena Gora and Ozren Jadovnik.

Dejan Pavlovic, director of Sutjeska National Park, said that there is significant international investment and that the Research and Environmental Center will be a separate sector within the public institution.

Luka Lavadinovic, a professor at the Faculty of Forestry in Belgrade, emphasized that the Research Center would serve forestry experts as well as a wider population.

– We hope this center will promote the area and attract people to come here and enjoy in the amazing beauties of Sutjeska National Park. Tourists have opportunities to be familiar with our activities – said Lavadinovic.

The opening conference was attended by professors of forestry faculties from Banja Luka and Sarajevo, they are partners in the center activities, and also their students will participate in the work.

Sead Vojnikovic, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry in Sarajevo, emphasized that project is essential for nature conservation and for the forestry profession.