On January 15, 2026, the Bioclimate Park Drienová welcomed a special visitor from the other side of the world. Joshua from Australia, who works for the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), visited us to learn more about nature-based approaches to water management in the landscape.
The Murray–Darling Basin is the largest river system in Australia, covering more than one million square kilometres. It provides water for over three million people, supports a significant share of the country’s agriculture, and sustains numerous unique ecosystems. The basin is of crucial environmental, economic, and cultural importance, including its deep connections with First Nations communities. Its sustainable management is coordinated by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority through the Basin Plan, which aims to balance the needs of people, the economy, and nature, while ensuring the long-term health of rivers and wetlands.
In the Bioclimate Park, a Slovak team led by Ladislav Židek is implementing a comprehensive community-based system for the regeneration of soil, landscape, water, and above all biodiversity. The approach is built on a wide range of small, interconnected measures that reinforce one another over time. Over a period of fifteen years, these efforts have resulted in a fully self-sustaining and long-term resilient biodiversity system, reaching NATURA-level quality in many areas.
The park focuses on the entire web of life – from soil microorganisms to plants, insects, other invertebrates, and vertebrates – forming a fully functional ecological whole referred to as the Nexus of Life. Alongside the restoration of wild nature, the system supports non-violent, regenerative cultivation of crops and animals in harmony with natural processes. This integrated approach produces high-quality DEMETER-certified food, demonstrating that biodiversity protection and sustainable food production can thrive together.
Together with Michal Kravčík, we presented Joshua with the system of close-to-nature water retention measures implemented in the Bioclimate Park Drienová. We discussed why it is essential to retain water where it falls. This approach allows the small water cycle in the landscape to function properly, helps prevent desertification, supports the recharge of groundwater, and contributes to the restoration of ecosystems. We consider these principles to be among the most important foundations of a healthy and resilient landscape.
Dear Joshua, thank you for your visit.
