Andreja Slameršek from Slovenia receives the Wolfgang Staab Nature Conservation Prize for protecting the Mura and Sava rivers
Eight hydropower plants were to be built on the Mura in Slovenia. The construction of the dams would have destroyed more than 50 kilometers of the free-flowing section of the Mura river, which is now part of the 5-country Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube. Mainly thanks to persistent efforts of conservationist Andrea Slameršek, which were supported by WWF and various local NGOs these plans were stopped and since 2019, the energetic use of the Mura river has been excluded in Slovenia’s national energy and climate plan. On 11th of November 2021 she was awarded the Wolfgang Staab Nature Conservation Prize 2021 for her tireless commitment. In order to preserve and restore the natural condition of the rivers and floodplains, the prize is awarded annually for special achievements in favor of the sustainable development of the river and floodplain landscapes. Andrea Slameršek successfully put the topic of river protection on the political agenda and into people’s hearts and minds of Slovenia, honouring her outstanding commitment is also an encouraging sign towards other river protection initiatives in the region.
