Kozjansko, from where we are at home

Take a walk with me along the hilly paths of Kozjansko.

We often mention Kozjansko as our home, where Moika sprouted and blooms diligently, where we grow the most beautiful flowers and incorporate them into our natural cosmetics. Where sincere and genuine people live. It sounds like a fairy tale, doesn't it? I'm coming out of myself, because Kozjansko is not only Moika's, but also my home. I am firmly convinced that there is truly something magical hidden in this beautiful land of ours. Stay with me, maybe I can convince you too.

The Švigl herb farm is located an hour and a half drive east of Ljubljana in the Kozjansko region. It grows a large proportion of the natural raw materials that enrich our products. During the summer, it is always lively and bursting with greenery, while during the winter it takes a little time for itself, for rest (but not quite all of it). I live exactly an hour and twenty-nine minutes east of Ljubljana, and the Švigl farm is my first neighbor. I think I can already call it "home", which is represented by nature itself, people and the Kozjansko region as a whole. I am an indigenous resident and it is the right address for some new knowledge about the region or a company for a hike through our beautiful hills.

Why are we so special?

A large part of the Kozjansko region is warmly embraced by the Kozjansko Regional Park. Did you know that Slovenia is adorned with three regional parks?

How does an area actually qualify as a regional park? Let the following definition help you: "A regional park is a large area of ​​regionally characteristic ecosystems and landscapes with large parts of pristine nature, where human influence is greater, but in an exemplary sustainable and harmonious balance with nature."

Let's focus on the second part of the description. Human influence is visible, but it is in balance with nature. This is already one of our key values ​​– balance. Between nature and man, between human relationships, between natural raw materials in our products. Only with balance can we achieve harmonious functioning.

The Kozjansko region boasts an exceptionally high level of biodiversity. It is precisely because of this that we are ranked among the most important nature conservation areas not only in Slovenia, but also in Europe. A large part of the park belongs to the ecologically important areas of Slovenia and the European important special protection areas NATURA 2000.

Habitats.

We are home to several extremely important habitats. We are the junction of two natural geographical units, the Alpine and Pannonian worlds.
The pre-Alpine areas of the Kozjanski Park – Veternik, Oslica, Bohor, are home to some of the most beautiful and richest habitats – dry mountain meadows. Here it is necessary to emphasize once again the relationship between nature itself and the farmer. Dry meadows are mowed only once a year. We ourselves are strict advocates of mowing once a year, even though the farm is not located at an altitude between 600 and 1000 meters above sea level. This way, the plants can be properly pollinated and bloom again in all their glory the following year.

Among the special plants that these hills offer, it is worth mentioning numerous orchids, Carniolan lilies, common hairy marigold, arnica... Well, I think that each one is worthy of its own mention, because together they build a mosaic of biodiversity. The flowers host quite a few protected species of butterflies (e.g. the marmot anteater). Imagine, in the summer you go on a short hike to Veternik, reach the very top and see dry meadows over which various species of butterflies fly. Don't have time in the summer months? If you are a mushroom lover, October will be a real paradise for you, when you can see the diversity of meadow fungi.

Another special habitat is meadow orchards. I probably shouldn't favor them, but they are really close to my heart. We have an orchard at home and one of my fondest memories is when my grandfather, when I was a little girl, happily brought me an apple from the local orchard. I couldn't wait for the apple tree to bear fruit! The "Tsarevich" variety was my favorite. He grew the apples himself, and he did it without any pesticides. :)

The tall meadow orchards in the Kozjansko region produce traditional and indigenous fruit varieties. It is a tradition in our country to plant one of these traditional varieties on a full birthday. Pear or apple tree, it doesn't matter. I have always wondered where the idea of ​​this kind of planting came from. The tradition dates back to the 18th century, when Maria Theresa tried to promote fruit growing by having newlywed farmers plant one of the fruit trees on their wedding day. A good practice, as the apple is supposed to symbolize love and life.

Orchards leave a strong mark on our area, as they provide a home for many species of birds and insects. The warblers, the wagtails, the great wagtails and the brown magpies chirp diligently. Where we find birds, we also find insects, which represent one of their food sources. As we said before? Harmony? ;)

What does the term biodiversity mean?

The Slovenian Institute for Nature Conservation says: "Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms and their habitats. First of all, we think of the number of plant and animal species in a country or region, but in addition, the concept of biodiversity also encompasses the diversity of habitats or habitats of plants and animals. Biodiversity also includes genetic diversity, that is, the diversity between individual individuals of a species."

Slovenia proudly holds the crown for the number of species per square kilometer of territory among European countries. Every fairy tale has a bitter aftertaste throughout the story, and we are no exception. Not only around the world, but also in Slovenia, a decrease in biodiversity is observed. The cause lies in intensive agricultural production, construction, quarries, invasive alien species, etc.
This diversity offers us numerous benefits:

• food, fuel, oxygen,
• clean air and water,
• detoxifies and breaks down waste,
• moderates the climate,
• mitigates floods, droughts, temperature extremes and wind power,
• creates and restores soil fertility (activity and death of living beings),
• pollinates plants (including many agricultural crops),
• ...

If we just let it, nature can cleanse and renew itself. To the point where human exploitation is within the limits of sustainable use. It is precisely on these pillars that nature parks stand. To protect unspoiled nature and encourage sustainable coexistence. Only in this way will many generations of our successors be able to live after us. Let us realize that the things around us are not self-evident, that the unspoiled nature around us is not self-evident. Let us promote local, natural, Slovenian. Let us learn to respect it, because it can give us much more than just rest and relaxation. With its help, we enchant all our/your serums , hydrolates , creams , gels ... my grandfather himself grows various types of traditional varieties and you too can help to make nature much happier tomorrow than it is today with your everyday life decisions. Let's write a beautiful fairy tale together!

Let me conclude with a simple sentence from my dear grandmother, who has lived in the Kozjansko area since birth: "We should appreciate where we are, because from such beautiful endings as ours, it's really not worth leaving."

Grandma, you're right. That's exactly why I always love coming home. :)

May



SOURCES:
https://www.naravniparkislovenije.si/slo
https://kozjanski-park.si/
https://www.gov.si/teme/naravni-parki-naravni-rezervati-in-naravni-spomeniki/
https://zrsvn-varstvonarave.si/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Biodiversiteta__Koncna_verzija_2306.pdf
https://www.eea.europa.eu/sl/themes/biodiversity/intro
https://teebweb.org/