In the heart of Lika, in the special forest vegetation reserve Laudonov gaj, the implementation of the "Outdoor Classroom" project will soon begin, which will further enrich the tourist and educational offer of the region.

Cooperation of institutions for the preservation of natural heritage

On April 10, 2025, a working meeting of the key project stakeholders was held in Laudonov gaj. The meeting was attended by the Mayor of the Municipality of Udbina Josip Seuček, the director of GPN Katarina Tomo Jurković, the director of the company BALAŠKO-M d.o.o. Marijan Balaško, the director of Komunalac Udbina Nebojša Dragaš, and the director of the Public Institution for the Protection and Preservation of Nature of Lika-Senj County Tomislava Maratović Jurković with her associates. The goal of the meeting was to coordinate activities and agree on the start of work on the project.

Financial structure of the project

The "Outdoor Classroom" project was submitted to the Public Call for direct co-financing of projects contributing to the sustainability of visitor infrastructure (JP ZO 6/2024), announced by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. The total value of the project amounts to 41,691.55 euros including VAT. The Fund co-finances 80% of the costs, i.e., 33,353.24 euros, while the remaining 8,338.31 euros are provided by Lika-Senj County.

Renovation of a building devastated during the Homeland War

The project involves the renovation of a building that was devastated during the Homeland War. The renovated building will be a single-story wooden canopy with 45 m2 of covered and 20 m2 of uncovered space. It will be equipped with three wooden benches of different dimensions and two wooden tables, as well as two educational elements: a post with a magnifying glass and a geological column.

Education in a natural environment

The aim of the project is to arrange and renovate the infrastructure for receiving visitors in the special forest vegetation reserve Laudonov gaj in the area of the Municipality of Udbina. The project is being implemented for the purpose of raising public awareness about the unique natural and ecological features of the historic pedunculate oak forest in Lika, as well as for the scientific and tourist promotion of the microlocation of Krbavsko polje and the municipality of Udbina, and Lika-Senj County as a whole.

Laudonov gaj – the natural pearl of Lika

Laudonov gaj covers about 700 hectares, of which 310 hectares are under black pine and 340 hectares under pedunculate oak. It contains a total of 518 old pedunculate oak trees. This forest has a rich history, and it was named after the Austrian field marshal Gideon Laudon, who in 1746 ordered the afforestation of part of Krbavsko polje to prevent damage from quicksand to agriculture.

Accommodation in Udbina

Visitors planning to explore Laudonov gaj and participate in the educational programs of the "Outdoor Classroom" can find accommodation in Udbina. The Municipality of Udbina offers various accommodation options, including private apartments, guesthouses, and rural households, which provide an authentic experience of the Lika region.