2024-08-25 03:01:29
More than 6,000 pupils and students, with their accompanying teachers, from various regions of Greece and especially from schools in Thesprotia, Preveza, Ioannina, as well as from various Universities of the country, participated in the information and awareness actions of the Protected Areas Management Unit Epirus of OFYPEKA.
As pointed out on the occasion of the completion of the academic year, information – awareness about Protected Areas (PA) and their biodiversity can contribute to their effective protection and sustainable management. The aim of these actions is to sensitize young people and gradually influence their attitudes and behaviors towards the environment and in particular the Protected Areas, contributing to their more effective protection.
During the programs the students became familiar with concepts such as: Protected Areas, ecosystem, biodiversity, water cycle, protection and management, phenomenon of eutrophication, sustainable management. They were informed about the multiple values of ecosystems (biological, fishing, irrigation, recreational, educational, scientific, flood control, etc.) as well as about the responsibilities and work of OFYPEKA.
In addition, various field activities were included in the briefing of school groups, in order to give the child the opportunity to come into contact with the natural environment. So the children followed environmental paths, crossed the Arachtos river in inflatable boats (rafting), observed the flora and fauna, the landscapes, used their senses, played, created and at the same time were informed and raised awareness about ecosystems and how they can themselves to contribute to their protection.
The briefings and guided tours are held at the Information Centers of the Unit in small groups of about 20 people, in order to achieve more substantial results. Also, every year visits are made by the information staff to the local school units of Thesprotia, Preveza and Ioannina.
Also, as every year, the Epirus Protected Areas Management Unit organized or participated in numerous environmental information-awareness events this year, such as: European Bird Festival 2023, World Wetlands Day, World Biodiversity Day, World Environment Day, European Sustainable Development Week 2023, European Academy of Nature 2023 and 2024, 1st Panhellenic School Day of Philanthropy, in the Traveling Workshop 2023 for the traditional building techniques “BOULOUKI”, Swallows, voluntary cleaning action in the Acheron Straits, etc. with student participation reaching 1,600.
The Epirus Protected Areas Management Unit thanks all the teachers and students who participated in the information-awareness programs, which took place both in its infrastructures (Ecosystem Interpretation Park and Information Centers) as well as in schools and other suitable places.