The Ipolytarnóc Nature Reserve is managed by the Bükk National Park Directorate, where we were able to help and learn from the 21st to the 27th of November. The nature reserve is a site for various fossils, such as shark teeth, leaf prints, fossilised trees and animal footprints. During our time in Ipolytarnóc, we learned a lot about the history of the nature reserve; a volcanic caldera drop about 20 million years ago preserved the fauna and flora in the area. It is possible to learn a lot about the relics of the nature reserve's geological past on various nature trails.
We were in Ipolytarnóc in the off-season, which is why there is less ecotourism, but we could still help with various tasks. We did not only learn a lot, but we also helped sweep leaves, repair fences and cut hedges. While sweeping leaves in Ipolytarnóc, we got to know some of the workers from whom we could learn something about the plants and the past of the nature reserve. But cutting hedges and repairing fences was an exciting experience where we could learn a lot. Imre, who works in Ipolytarnóc, showed us the different parts of the Visitor Centre, and we were able to see the petrified tree, for example, which can be seen in the photo. The pine tree, with a diameter of eight meters and a length of almost one hundred meters, made the conservation area famous. In the visitor centre, there are many interactive opportunities for young and old visitors to learn about the history of the nature reserve. For example, there is a 4D cinema about the animals that used to live in the region and an exciting exhibition of various fossils.
