Biodiversity results from 3.8 billion years of evolution and is necessary for our survival. Food, building, insulating and decorative materials, natural textile fibers, ingredients of many medicines, pollination, air, water, and soil purification, and flood control. Biodiversity is a set of products and services without which life on the planet as we know it would be impossible. Unfortunately, we often forget our duty to nature. Biodiversity is often taken as an eternal and free given, while today it is under serious threat. Its decrease is largely the result of human activity. The main threat to biological diversity is the complete or partial destruction of species’ habitats, environmental pollution, excessive hunting and fishing, overexploitation of land and forests, overproduction of greenhouse gases, the introduction of foreign species, and climate change. All this endangers the existence of flora and fauna.
There’s no coincidence that the eco-walk was held for children resting in the summer Christian camp in the village of Antalovtsi. It was prepared and conducted by Olha Velychkanych, head of the department of biology and research and experimental work of the TRENCSY, expert of the IERS. During the event, the children heard interesting information about the wonderful nature of our small Motherland, and the unique highlights of the region, flora, and fauna. The children’s attention was also focused on the negative impact of human activity on nature and ways to reduce it.
During the ecological quest “Love and know your native land!” young conservationists had the opportunity to demonstrate excellent knowledge of the flora and fauna of Transcarpathia, understanding the need to preserve it. Namely: they practiced their knowledge of birds of Ukraine and red book plants of Transcarpathia, found matches between plants and their characteristics, solved a crossword puzzle, made up a proverb about the need to take care of the natural resources of the region and preserve nature. Young entomologists had the opportunity to find and examine insects under a magnifying glass. During the environmental event, the children expanded their knowledge of the plant and animal world and understood the need for a careful attitude to the environment. The children came to the conclusion that it is the duty of every inhabitant of the region to study, protect and multiply the living world of Transcarpathia!
The event was held within the framework of the project “Churches, religious and public organizations for the environmental of national minorities”, implemented by the Interreligious and Environmental Civil Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) (head by Alexander Bokotey) in cooperation with the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband NABU International ) under with the support of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Auswärtiges Amt #AA_Kultur) project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), Nataliya Kulya(IRCEF).
Informational Service of IRCEF: Olga Velychkanych, Head of the Department of Biology and Research-Experimental Work of TRENCSY
