Earth Day in Bratislava

On April 22, people around the world celebrate Earth Day. Why? To remind ourselves of the impact human activity has on the planet and why it is important to care for and protect it. This day is dedicated to environmental protection and promoting eco-friendly thinking.

What does Earth Day look like in practice?

On this day, various activities are organized around the world. For example, people clean up nature, plant trees, learn to sort waste, or discuss climate issues. Schools, cities, and various organizations often get involved.

How did it start?

The idea originated in 1970 in the U.S. as a response to growing environmental pollution. It gradually evolved into a global movement in which millions of people in more than 190 countries participate today.

Why is it important?

Nature is a limited resource
Our everyday decisions (e.g., waste, energy, transportation) have an impact
Even small changes in behavior can make a big difference

Simply put, it’s a day that encourages us to act more responsibly toward the planet—not just once a year, but every day.

This Earth Day, we invite you to look down at your feet—at the soil. Come discover a world that is crucial to our survival. You’ll learn why healthy soil is our greatest ally in retaining water and managing climate change. A mix of expert stations, interactive activities, and an experiential program for the whole family awaits you.

When we think of nature, most of us picture trees, a river, a meadow, or animals. This year, however, Earth Day at the Čunovo Eco-Center invites you to look even lower—under our feet, into the soil, which is often overlooked, even though the quality of life in the countryside and our future depend on it. Soil is not just the ground we walk on. It is a living space full of relationships, processes, and tiny organisms that together form the foundation of everything that grows, lives, and functions on Earth.

This is precisely the message that Earth Day at the Čunovo Eco-Center aims to convey: that we realize a healthy natural environment doesn’t begin with trees or waterways, but with the very foundation of the landscape itself. Soil retains water, supports plant growth, provides a home for many animals, and helps the landscape cope with the impacts of climate change. What lies beneath the surface therefore has a direct impact on our daily lives—on what we eat, what we drink, and how the environment around us is changing.

Earth Day is also an opportunity to pause and view nature not as something to be taken for granted, but as a system that we need to consciously care for.

Program:

Secrets of the Soil

At this station, visitors will learn how to determine soil color using Munsell color charts, a standardized tool used in pedology. Through hands-on demonstrations, the diversity of soil horizons and their visual characteristics will be explored, with an emphasis on the relationship between soil color and its composition, organic matter content, and moisture. The station will also feature a presentation of a real soil profile from the immediate vicinity of the eco-center, where visitors will be able to observe individual soil layers, their arrangement, color transitions, and signs of the processes taking place “under our feet.”

Assoc. Prof. Peter Hanajík, PhD., Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava

Soil: A Rainforest Beneath Our Feet

Soil harbors a vast and largely unexplored diversity of living organisms, which is why soil zoologists often liken it to a “rainforest.” New species of tiny animals are constantly being discovered there. These tiny creatures not only live in the soil but also shape it. They thrive in an immensely complex web of relationships and constantly alter the soil through their activities. They create tunnels in the soil, move clumps of soil, and bind them together with their excretions, creating a complex labyrinth of soil tunnels and chambers of various shapes and sizes. This soil structure is extremely important for retaining water in the soil. Healthy soil, therefore, much like a rainforest, plays an irreplaceable role in retaining water in the landscape, thereby influencing the entire ecosystem. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe and learn about diverse soil animals up close and discover what their life in the soil looks like.

Mgr. Kamila Ondrejková, PhD., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava

The Invisible World Under the Microscope

Beneath the surface of a drop of water and even within tiny particles of soil lies a fascinating world of organisms invisible to the naked eye. Tiny animals and microorganisms play a key role in the functioning of ecosystems. They decompose organic matter, contribute to the nutrient cycle, and influence the quality of water and soil. Take a peek into the fascinating micro-world hidden in water and soil. Examine various samples, discover their tiny inhabitants, and find out what microfauna lives in your neighborhood. Come see what rich and diverse life is hidden in environments that seem unremarkable at first glance. See for yourself that even the smallest organisms are of great importance—you just need to look at them up close.

An Underground Search for the Lost Message of Trees

What lies beneath our feet? Soil is more than just dirt. It is home to a living world full of connections. Mycelium—a delicate network of fungi that connects trees and plants—plays a vital role in this ecosystem. Thanks to it, they can share nutrients, send warning signals, and help each other survive. But somewhere in this underground network, an important message that the trees were sending to one another has gone missing. Set out on a search and help piece it back together. Through the activities, you’ll learn about the soil as a living organism, discover what’s happening beneath its surface, and find out why it’s important to protect it. The scavenger hunt is designed for families with children and combines exploration, physical activity, and collaborative thinking. Become part of the underground network for a moment and discover what messages nature exchanges among itself.

A Landscape Full of Life: Fields vs. Ecological Corridors (Protection of Birds of Prey in Slovakia)

At this interactive station, we’ll discover how different farming methods change the face of the landscape. There’s a huge difference between using the land solely for intensive farming and creating refuges in the form of bio-strips and fallow strips. Children (and adults) will experience this firsthand. They’ll play the role of a bustard chick. Their task will be to find hidden insects as quickly as possible on a playing area simulating a typical field and a colorful bio-strip. This will help us clearly explain why natural strips save biodiversity, protect the soil from erosion, and prevent it from drying out.

Rafting on the Old Danube Riverbed

Take a canoe or raft ride on the calm waters of the Old Danube riverbed under the guidance of experienced instructors and discover the surrounding nature from a completely different perspective. The trips are free, and all necessary equipment will be provided. Trips run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the bus departing for the starting point directly from the Čunovo Eco-Center.

Guided Walk: Adventure in the Floodplain Forest

Join us on a field trip and discover the unique ecosystem of the Danube floodplains. This guided walk will focus on the Danube River and the crucial importance of regular flooding in this area. You’ll learn why floodwater is so important for the local soil and specific flora, and what interesting types of soil can be found in our area.

Slovak Environmental Record for the Great Bustard and the Lesser Kestrel

Today, the Great Bustard and the Lesser Kestrel regularly nest in Slovakia at only a single location—the Sysľovské polia Special Protection Area near Bratislava. To prevent these rare birds from disappearing completely from our natural environment, they need our help in restoring a safe habitat, which is the goal of the LIFE Steppe on Border project. But you can get involved and help, too! With a symbolic gesture—a colorful fingerprint—visitors to the Eco-Center can sign up to protect these endangered species, and together we’ll try to set a new Slovak environmental record.

Š.E.M. Theater and Workshop: FRANTIŠEK and the Paths Beneath the Ground

František is a cheerful earthworm, but there’s one thing that troubles him. Everyone in the garden has a purpose, but he has no idea why he’s here. So he decides to find what he’s truly good at. A puppet story based on Simona Čechová’s book František z kompostu, about how every creature—even if a little different—has its place in the world. After the performance, we have a workshop where children can make their own beetle garden inhabitants from recycled materials. The workshop builds on the themes of the performance, deepening the theatrical experience, and will also include a discussion about the importance of individual species and their conservation.

Ceramics Workshops

Clay is not only a source of life, but also an excellent material for creating! Throughout the day, you’ll be able to try your hand at working with clay in our workshops and mold your own original ceramic piece. We’ll combine fun crafting with learning—you’ll discover various interesting facts about different types of clay and their specific uses in ceramics.

How can I sign up?

Registration for certain activities (rafting, guided walk, boat ride) will take place directly at the Eco-Center.

Who is this event for?

The event is open to the general public. Families with children, nature lovers, gardeners, and anyone interested in ecology.

Speakers

Lecturer at the Čunovo Eco-Center, Assoc. Prof. Peter Hanajík, PhD., Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava,

Lecturer Kamila Ondrejková, PhD., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava

Location: Ecocentrum Čunovo, Petržalská 12, Bratislava-Čunovo
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Admission: Free

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