It is estimated that more than 1,500 plant species, around 7,500 animal species and more than 30,000 insect species can be found in the Karawanken-Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark. We will never see most of it, which is why we created an open street exhibition space where we presented a piece of it.
We showcased over 120 rare, vulnerable, and exceptional animal and plant species from our natural environment. This was accomplished using large-format panels that showcase 150 photographs highlighting the diversity of wildlife and nature in our Geopark. Almost each panel includes short texts in three languages – Slovenian, German, and English – that raise awareness and provide interesting facts about selected species. These snippets are crafted to captivate visitors and motivate them to delve deeper into the content.
Additionally, anyone can scan a QR code to experience the sounds of nature while viewing the featured animals. In this way, the viewer can listen to the sounds of various large mammals, numerous birds, and even insects. This interactive element enhances visitor engagement and fosters curiosity about the importance of protecting these species and understanding their vital role in our ecosystem.
The first public presentation took place at the end of April 2025 in the Municipality of Mežica, Slovenia, in collaboration with a certified Geopark elementary school that also features an open exhibition space on the street. In June 2025, the second exhibition opened in the Municipality of Neuhaus, Austria, accompanied by a comprehensive cultural program hosted by the local certified Geopark primary school.
Both exhibition spaces experience a high visitor turnout, offering individual visits as well as guided tours. So far, the exhibition has attracted several thousand visitors from various generations, receiving positive feedback, and has received local and regional media support.
We warmly invite you to come enjoy our outdoor exhibition! It’s a great opportunity to connect with the beautiful diversity of nature all around us. We can’t wait to see you there!
The innovative concept for an outdoor sustainable exhibition was thoughtfully developed by our Geopark colleague, Project Manager and photographer Urosh Grabner. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship and seeks to engage the public in meaningful discussions about sustainability practices. Urosh’s unique combination of project management expertise and artistic vision has resulted in an exhibition that not only educates but also inspires attendees to appreciate and protect our natural ecosystems.
Here is another interesting fact – The IUCN Red List keeps track of the number of species described worldwide and updates this number every year based on the latest work of taxonomy experts. By the end of 2024, 2.16 million of the planet’s known species were on the list, including 1.05 million insects, more than 11,000 bird species, more than 11,000 reptile species and more than 6,000 mammal species. The range of all living things on our planet (not including viruses and bacteria) is thought to be somewhere between 3 and 10 million species, with some predictions as high as over 100 million species…. Many of them will never be discovered.
To date, more than 169,400 species have been assessed for the IUCN Red List, less than 8% of all known species on the planet. Of these, 47,000 species are threatened with extinction (28% of all species assessed).