Autumn is an extraordinary and enchanting season, often described in various captivating ways: as golden, magical, picturesque, colorful, amazing, and bountiful. It’s as if a magical paintbrush has transformed everything around us with a stunning array of colors. Every passing day witnesses a mesmerizing transition of leaves, from vibrant green to rich shades of orange, crimson, and finally to a warm yellow. Ultimately, these leaves gently fall to the ground, becoming dry and rustling beneath our feet.
On a lovely autumn day, third-grade students from Uzhhorod Lyceum “Image” took a trip to the PADIUN arboretum to witness nature’s shifts. The children noticed that autumn had already left its imprint on some trees: chestnut, poplar, and birch. Yet, there were trees that remained lush and green: mountain pines, ginkgoes, and larches.
Under the warm, autumn sun’s rays, the lyceum students gathered around an artificial pond to witness some of nature’s cold-blooded wonders – red-eared sliders and European pond turtles. These reptiles emerged from the water to soak in the sun’s warmth before the onset of cold winter days. Oksana Strichko, an expert from IRCEF, offered the children intriguing insights into these and other reptilian inhabitants of Ukraine. These animals, with their unique adaptations, are remarkable in their ability to survive in various environmental conditions. Their respiratory process, for instance, involves limb movements, and their cold-blooded nature means they conserve energy, requiring just a fraction of the energy needed by their warm-blooded counterparts. This remarkable trait allows them to go without food for several weeks.
Naturally, the students couldn’t resist visiting the animals in the living corner. They were captivated by rare breeds of birds like Cayuga ducks, silver pheasants, and Hungarian geese. But it was the rodents that won the children’s hearts: guinea pigs and chinchillas. The graceful and solemn iguana named Dreamka left young nature enthusiasts in awe as she indulged in the delicacies that the children generously offered. The happy and satisfied lyceum students expressed their gratitude to autumn for bringing beauty, inspiration, and a good mood.
The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Informational Service of IRCEF
