The “Everyone Can Help” public center welcomed students from Berehovo Gymnasium “Opre Roma,” accompanied by their Ukrainian language teacher, Ms. Svitlana. Students participated in a hands-on session making feeders as part of an eco-educational initiative on birds led by Leonid Pokrytyuk, an IRCEF ornithology expert. The session unfolded in a new nature classroom, a collaborative effort between the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies (IERS) and the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU). This collaborative endeavor is part of the project “Youth School for Sustainable Development of the Carpathians: Protecting the Biodiversity of Church Towers.”
The workshop aimed to familiarize the students with crafting simple feeders from readily available materials and acquaint them with the guidelines for responsible bird feeding. Leonid Pokrytyuk highlighted the importance of providing suitable treats to birds, especially during harsh winter conditions. However, he emphasized the prohibition of certain foods, such as chips, salted nuts, crackers with flavoring additives, and particularly harmful black bread. Great tit, for instance, appreciates unsalted lard. Moreover, the eco-trainer stressed the significance of maintaining a consistent feeding schedule to prevent harm to the birds. Any disruptions may lead to birds waiting near an empty feeder, expending unnecessary time and energy. Following the crafting of birdhouses and feeders, the students were rewarded for their active participation with sweet prizes. Leif Miller, the CEO of NABU, presented the prizes during his working visit to Transcarpathia, adding a special touch to the event.
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
