New Educational Trail in Kokořínsko Reserve Presents 'Treasures of Harasov'
The "Poklady Harasova" (Treasures of Harasov) educational trail is set within the expanse between the eponymous settlement and the village of Bosyně, most of the way leading through an area that protrudes out from the "Kokořínský důl" (Kokořín Mine) nature reserve. While in and of itself a lesser known stretch of the protected area, it nonetheless holds immense natural and cultural treasures, which inspired the name for the new educational trail picked by its authors – members of the local Koniklec Chapter of the Czech Union for Nature Conservation. Two introductory panels and four main (interactive) panels familiarize visitors with the natural treasures of this corner of the world, with its local geological formations, and with the history and legends associated with the local castle (and with the rock fort called 'Hrádek').
"The panels at the various trail stops are designed such that hikers absorb the information through active engagement – we've included game elements, for instance, and moving parts, so people can both test their previous knowledge and gradually uncover new facts from the world of nature and history," commented Martina Zrostlíková, one of the authors of the educational trail. Her words are best exemplified by a panel that lets visitors explore the contact with nature through the sense of touch, being built such that it contains natural materials associated with both common and rare indigenous animals. Other panels provide information about amphibians by way of a mini-game, or introduce visitors, with the help of moving parts, to the phenomenon of inversion microclimates in rock gorges.
The brook itself, which goes by the droll name of Pšovka, is the true natural pearl of the entire Kokořínsko quarry, chiefly because of the presence of a valley floodplain. It is here that we find a system of marshes and pools, home to endangered and rare animal and plant species, such as crayfish, the alpine newt, the dwarf white water lily and the marsh lousewort. The surrounding forests and rockscapes provide shelter, e.g. to the black stork, the peregrine falcon and the lesser horseshoe bat.
"The general partnership between NET4GAS and the Czech Union for Nature Conservation is celebrating its ten-year anniversary. Over the years, we have unlocked 86 spots of nature across the country, 14 of them in the region of Central Bohemia. Such is the current track record of the NET4GAS Closer to Nature programme, which since its inception in 2007 has sought to support direct conservationist efforts, to popularize them, and to promote environmental lessons," added Zuzana Kučerová of NET4GAS.
The beginning of the "Poklady Harasova" educational trail is located at the GPS coordinates: 50.4108069N, 14.5685525E.
