Josip Movcan

Josip Movčan, B.Sc. / Forestry (born on February 9, 1925, Čakovec, Croatia)

Mr. Movčan studied forestry at the University of Sopron in Hungary, Department of Forestry. Later he graduated at the Zagreb University, Department of Forestry. He specialised in exterior design, landscape planning and completed the course with honours.

During 33 years he spent working in the "National Park "Plitvice Lakes" he was creating his attitudes towards the key problems in National Park; He carried out the project "modern system of organised visiting".

He was constantly putting effort on behalf of creative and active protection. He was intensively involved in international events; twice organised European Conference of National Parks on Plitvice Lakes; three times a member of the Board of European National Parks Federation, a member of the National Parks World Committee (CNPPA - IUCN). He held a report at the World Congress in Bali which was later issued by the Royal Swedish Academy of Science.

He stayed at the National Park "Plitvice Lakes" as the Protection and Planning Manager until 1991. when he was sent into exile and later retired. From 1992. to 1994. he was at NP "Hohe Tauern" in Austria where he was working on the Management Plan.

As respectable person in the world of national parks he received the following international awards:

"• Van-Tienhoven European Award, Bonn 1983. " "• Fred M. Packard International Parks Merit Award, IUCN / Switzerland 1987. " "• Global 500, Rio de Janeiro 1992. " "• Primula d'oro /Uomo e Natura/ Napoli, Italia 1995."