The Nature Branch of the Transcarpathian Regional Museum of Local Lore, in collaboration with the Caritas School (under the guidance of Mariia Symkovych), organized an enlightening event titled “Wetlands and People” to commemorate World Wetlands Day. The event aimed to instill a profound understanding of the importance of wetlands for both the environment and humanity. Ruslana Dzhahman, a senior researcher at the Nature Branch and an expert of the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe, played a crucial role in imparting knowledge to the students. The “Nature of Transcarpathia” exhibition provided a platform for students to explore the diverse inhabitants of water bodies and grasp the essential role wetlands play in biodiversity preservation.
The interactive activities during the excursion, such as observing waterfowl, solving crossword puzzles, playing “True or False,” and recognizing the value of swamps as vital ecosystems, engaged the students in a fun and educational manner. Ruslana Dzhahman emphasized the critical role of wetlands in climate regulation, sustenance provision, and carbon sequestration, underscoring their significance for human existence. She also pointed out the ongoing efforts of scientists to restore drained swamps in Transcarpathia.
The students were exposed to a video showcasing the successful restoration of the “Chorne Bahno” swamp, a collaborative project between the Ukrainian Society for the Protection of Birds “Birdlife” and the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU). This visual representation allowed the children to understand the complexities involved in restoring vast ecosystems and reinforced the importance of proactive conservation measures.
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
