New equipment and expertise for more effective nature monitoring – drones procured through the AInspec project

As part of the implementation of the project "Monitoring and Management of Invasive Plant Species in the Cross-Border Area Supported by Artificial Intelligence – AInspec," The Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas of Vukovar-Srem County has enhanced its technical and professional capacities for monitoring and managing invasive plant species.

One of the project's important results is the acquisition of drones and related equipment, which has created the prerequisites for applying modern technologies in nature monitoring. Using drones will enable more efficient data collection in the field, filming of hard-to-reach areas, and better monitoring of the distribution and condition of invasive plant species. To ensure the proper and effective use of the acquired equipment, staff of the Public Institution were trained on the use of drones at the Regional Center of Competence of the Agricultural and Forestry School Vinkovci. Through the training, the staff gained additional knowledge and practical skills necessary for the safe operation of drones, their application in fieldwork, and the collection of high-quality data that will be used for the further monitoring and management of natural areas.

The acquisition of modern equipment and investment in the knowledge and competencies of staff further strengthen the capacities of the Public Institution for the implementation of nature conservation and biodiversity preservation activities. The application of new technologies will enable higher-quality, more precise, and more efficient monitoring of field conditions and represents an important step toward the modernization of nature monitoring systems.

The AInspec project is being carried out from January 15, 2026, to January 14, 2028, and is co-financed by the European Union under the Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia – Serbia 2021 program. – 2027. The project's goal is to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability of invasive plant species management by applying artificial intelligence and advanced drone-based technologies.