Reborn nation strives for ecological, social balance

The world’s next great eco-tourism destination just might emerge along the Balkan shores of the Adriatic Sea—in Croatia.

Croatia?

Perhaps so, in the vision of Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources (WSFR) Associate Professor Sara Schweitzer. She, WSFR Adjunct Professor and Center for Forest Business Director Bob Izlar, and a delegation of other UGA teaching and research personnel participated last fall in an international conference at Mali Losinj on “sustainable development of the rural areas in Croatia and the role of the university.” It was Schweitzer’s third visit to the country – she was there in 2002 as a UGA International Fellow and again in early 2003 as a guest lecturer at the University of Zagreb.

And she’s come away convinced the former Yugoslavian republic could be an ideal eco-tourism destination. Despite many westerners’ misconceptions, Schweitzer notes, most of Croatia is not war-torn ruins. It is a beautiful country of lush forests, rocky coastlines and a unique wildlife population. “I think it has a lot of potential for eco-tourism,” she observes.

Izlar agrees, saying the country’s “unspoiled coast” and beautiful, affordable real estate may be the secret of the Mediterranean. “They’re undiscovered,” he says, “but when they get discovered, opportunities for eco-tourism will appear.” And he also foresees an extraordinary opportunity there and throughout much of Eastern Europe for a revitalized forestry industry, noting that, during its Communist rule, the area focused almost solely on industrial development and left thousands of acres of trees untouched. Many oak forests are being managed on a 140-year rotation. “It is a tremendous forest resource,” he observes, “We’d pay a fortune for those trees here.”

Much of Croatia was largely spared the horror and devastation of the Bosnian-Serbian conflict that engulfed the Balkan States in the 1990s following the collapse of Soviet Yugoslavia. The new government and Schweitzer’s and Izlar’s counterparts at the University of Zagreb are eager to see their reborn nation move forward. “It’s really amazing how much they have done in a short amount of time,” Schweitzer observes. Particularly so, she adds, given the scarce financial resources available in the sputtering Croatian economy. “We don’t know how good we have it here, and how hard some other countries have it – whether it be removing land mines, scrambling for funding, or managing migratory species that have to cross so many different countries.”

Still, she says the Croatians are making admirable progress – attempting to restore the distribution, ranges and populations of deer, wolves and bears that were disrupted by the war – and even encouraging the public to return to the country’s centuries-old tradition f building and living in wooden houses whose roofs have long been ideal stork nesting sites. “It’s interesting,” Schweitzer observes, “how they’re trying to maintain their cultural heritage with their natural heritage to keep things in balance.”

Fulfilling UGA’s mission of public outreach and helping their U-Zagreb colleagues develop a similar program are key components of Schweitzer’s and Izlar’s work in Croatia. “European education, both public and private, has no concept of public outreach,” Izlar says. “They’re strictly teaching and research institutions, nothing else.” But he’s confident of their future success. “They can’t quite get at it yet, but they know what they want to do.” To that end, a delegation of high-level Croatian government ministers and U-Zagreb faculty will visit WSFR in late October for further discussions and a first-hand look at UGA outreach efforts.

The pair also agrees that their work in Croatia highlights the value of outreach and study abroad programs. “This brings examples I can provide in class, knowledge I can give,” Dr. Schweitzer observes, “It shows scenarios others face. This international perspective brings a larger viewpoint of the opportunities here, and with these connections, it increases the chances of our students going abroad.” “Students miss a lot of opportunities that occur here outside of academics that can help them grow as people,” Mr. Izlar adds. “The richness of a university education is not only what you get out of the books you read, but the people you meet while you’re here.”