Earth is paying the price as our lives become more comfortable due to extensive consumption and urbanisation. Biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution are the issues we face today. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), since 1970, the planet has lost more than 60% of its mammal, bird, fish, reptile, and amphibian populations. At least 300 species of mammals have completely disappeared due to hunting. Additionally, wild species in rivers and lakes have declined by 83% due to freshwater use in agriculture and dam construction. According to a UN report, 1 million species of animals and plants are at risk of extinction over the next 10 years.
Our Programme protects and restores the planet's delicate natural resources by supporting biodiversity projects. Some areas of our countries, such as the wetlands of Western Polissia and Narew Valley, as well as the forests of Eastern Carpathians, have undisturbed natural complexes and reference ecological ecosystems that provide unique environmental conditions for particularly valuable European species of flora and fauna. The beneficiaries of the projects: Creation of a Monitoring System for Biodiversity Conservation in Protected Cross-Border Areas (acronym CBBC) and Carpathian Youth for Eco Smart Education (acronym Youth4EcoEdu) have a clear vision of how to address these challenges and bring tangible changes.
For a long time, both Narew National Park (Podlaskie voivodeship) and Nobel National Nature Park (Rivne oblast) acknowledged the need for a comprehensive monitoring system to track and analyse changes in habitats and species composition. The unique natural complexes in these areas are increasingly threatened due to climate change, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and unsustainable land use practices. The monitoring system will help to identify and address the risks and threats to valuable species of flora and fauna, especially birds such as the common goldeneye, ruff, common snipe, white-tailed eagle, and other species. The partners envision constructing a Biodiversity Monitoring Centre in the Nobel National Nature Park and avian observation facilities, including park observation towers and an observation hide at Topilec Ponds in Narew National Park. Joint research activities will involve scientific expeditions focused on biodiversity monitoring in Ukraine and Poland. The project team also aims to deliver effective environmental communication to various audiences, especially children. For example, a media campaign featuring bird characters will help children to learn more about animals’ lives. Interactive classroom kits for schools will make learning about biodiversity and conservation exciting for students, helping them understand the significance of preserving natural habitats and species, particularly birds.
The project will allow integration of European experience into our scientific research, leading to an increase in its quality – Volodymyr Dikovytskyi, the director of Nobel National Nature Park.
The Youth4EcoEdu project is addressing similar challenges. The Uzhansky (Zakarpattia oblast) and Magura (Podkarpackie voivodeship) National Nature Parks are real treasuries of biodiversity and ecosystem balance, playing a key role in preserving the natural heritage of the Carpathians. The project will create nature centres on both sides of the border. The interactive nature centre in Uzhansky National Nature Park will show the diversity of local flora and fauna and offer interactive exhibits to turn learning into an engaging experience. The centre at Uzhhorod National University will focus more on the academic aspects of environmental education serving as a platform for research and interdisciplinary cooperation. On the other side of the border in Jarosław, a similar environmental education centre with a nature trail will be created. It will teach young people about the importance of biodiversity conservation and the role of bees in nature through interactive technologies and hands-on experiences. Finally, the project envisages the development of specialised environmental education programmes for primary and secondary schools in both regions, organising workshops, and eco-camps, and creating three interactive science classrooms. This approach will make learning more interesting and practical by engaging children in environmental research using modern technologies, interactive methods and visuals. Such initiatives will shape environmental awareness from an early age and increase interest in natural sciences among the younger generation.
Knowing what we must conserve and why it is important is key to a sustainable future – Anna Tsimbolynets, the director of the Zakarpattia Regional Development Agency.
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