Short-term student exchanges – Wallacea 2026 – 14–23/06

Land-based activities

Operation Wallacea (Opwall) in Croatia is a scientific and conservation expedition involving students, teachers, researchers and volunteers. The aim is to collect data on biodiversity whilst training participants in the field methods used in ecology and conservation.

The programme takes place mainly at two sites:

  • Krka National Park, where participants carry out inventories of flora and fauna: birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, butterflies, insects, etc. They learn techniques such as transect surveys, camera traps, acoustic surveys and habitat monitoring.
  • The island of Krk, for the marine component. Participants can take an introductory diving course, study seagrass beds, fish and sea urchins, and examine the impacts of tourism on coastal ecosystems.

Objectives :

  • sustainable development and biodiversity conservation;
    learning scientific field methods;
  • working in an international team;
  • improving English in a professional context;
  • exploring citizen science and applied research projects.
Hike to identify mammal species
Hike to identify mammal species
Identifying droppings – which species?
Identifying droppings – which species?
A lovely surprise: a magnificent toad
A lovely surprise: a magnificent toad
Survey of mammal habitats
Survey of mammal habitats
Defining the study area
Defining the study area
We’re making the most of it to go for another lovely hike!
We’re making the most of it to go for another lovely hike!
Night-time search for reptiles and amphibians
Night-time search for reptiles and amphibians
 4 am – setting up nets for the bird survey
4 am – setting up nets for the bird survey
After the survey, we release our little friend
After the survey, we release our little friend
A magnificent woodpecker
A magnificent woodpecker
Night-time bat survey
Night-time bat survey

Marine activities

Marine camp on the Adriatic coast
Marine camp on the Adriatic coast
Our work site
Our work site
Isn’t it lovely here?
Isn’t it lovely here?
Species to be spotted
Species to be spotted
Into the water! 3 groups: snorkellers, beginner divers and experienced divers
Into the water! 3 groups: snorkellers, beginner divers and experienced divers
Observing the seabed and marine life
Setting up the study areas
Setting up the study areas
The divers
The divers
Breathing exercises for freediving
Breathing exercises for freediving
No study is possible without lessons and training
No study is possible without lessons and training