The Great Lake Prespa is located on the territory of the Municipality of Resen. In the waters of the Great Lake Prespa is the border of the Macedonian, Albanian and Greek borders. With the Law on declaring Lake Prespa a Monument of Nature (Official Gazette of RM, no. 51/2011), the part of the lake that is within the borders of the Republic of Macedonia due to its natural beauty, geomorphological, hydrological and hydrobiological and other scientific values ​​is declared for a monument of nature. The total area of ​​the Lake Prespa Monument of Nature within the limits described in the law is 17 788 ha. The Municipality of Resen is responsible for managing this natural monument. Lake Prespa is especially important not only nationally, but also internationally, primarily because of its natural features, both as a natural phenomenon (one of the 17 preserved tectonic lakes in the world) and as a habitat for many endemic, rare and endangered species, mostly ichthyos and ornithofauna.

 

The Nature Park Ezerani is located on the northern part of the lake on an area of ​​1,917 ha, of which 1,066 ha are land area, while 851 ha is water area. The ratio of land and water surface is relative, as the level of Lake Prespa varies significantly throughout the year and especially over longer periods. The protected area is home to about 200 species of birds, of which 62 species are listed as protected species under the Bern Convention, and three species are on the European Red List of World Endangered Species. A characteristic representative of the fauna in Lake Prespa is the Pelican (Pelecanus crispus). The pelican is one of the largest birds that exist on the water, mainly in the warmer parts, we have it only on the two Prespa Lakes. The only colony of the Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in the European Union is located in Prespa.

 

A natural rarity is the island of Golem Grad which is located in the Great Prespa Lake and covers an area of ​​1 km2. The island is overgrown with lush forest vegetation with the largest presence of foyer which is an endemic species. There were 7 churches on the island, of which only the cave church of St. Petar. The island is an archeological site with remains of dwellings, churches, necropolises from the Roman and medieval eras, a rich reserve of endemic plants and as a natural rarity protected by law and isolated habitat with minimal human impact. It is part of the Galicica National Park.

 

In the immediate vicinity of Lake Prespa, ie on part of its shoreline, there are two national parks: the National Park Pelister (declared November 30, 1948) and the National Park Galicica (Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No. 31/58).

 

Galicica National Park occupies a position between the two lakes – Ohrid and Prespa. It covers an area of ​​22,750 ha. Galicica is characterized by a very rich and diverse flora – over 1,000 species, including many relics and endemics.

 

Pelister National Park with an area of 12,000 ha is the first national park on the territory of part of Baba Mountain. The national park is rich in various types of relief shapes that are formed through long-lasting and very complex natural processes, the most impressive of which are the rocky rivers and rocky seas. Of particular interest are the two glacial lakes – the Big and the Small Lake of Pelister, known as “Prlisterski oci”(“Pelister Eyes”.)

 

There are 3 special forest reserves on the territory of the Municipality of Resen, as follows:

• Fir reserve (Abies alba Mill.). The reserve is located on Baba Mountain in the locality “Rupa”. The area of the reserve is 7.6 ha and is the final boundary of this part of the Balkan Peninsula.
• Birch reserve (Betula verrucosa Erhr.). The reserve is located on Baba Mountain near Neprtka and Kalojzana.
• Beech reserve (Fagus moesiaca Ozeczott). This reserve is located on Baba Mountain in the locality “Kalojzana”. The area of the reserve is 5 ha.