The students of Turya-Remetivskyi Secondary School, along with their biology and ecology teacher, Orysia Krechko, set off on an adventurous journey to observe owls that had made their homes near the school. They were able to locate and study owl nests created high up in the trees from twigs using a rangefinder device. During their field trip, the teacher enlightened the students about the vital role owls play in the ecosystem. They discussed aspects such as their dietary habits, reproductive processes, and their unique lifestyles. The children were told that owls are not a threat to humans, but rather are extremely beneficial birds. They contribute to controlling the rodent population, eliminate weak and ailing birds, thereby aiding in the strengthening of the avian gene pool, and actively participate in the dispersal of fruits and seeds.
The first sighting of owls near the school occurred in the spring of 2023 when young owlets started practicing their flight maneuvers around their nests. During this time, a few nestlings accidentally tumbled from their nests, and one of them was left unattended by its mother. Nika Strauss, a 7th-grade student, and her mother decided to take the orphaned owl under their care out of concern for its well-being. They diligently learned how to tend to the owl, what it should eat, and the ideal conditions for its comfort. Through their dedication and care, they successfully nurtured the owlet, and now, schoolgirl Nika proudly presented her classmates with photographs showcasing the owl’s remarkable growth. The students were genuinely captivated by this story. They discovered the bird had developed a close bond with its human family and exhibited wariness towards strangers. Nika also shared the challenges they faced in rescuing the owl and imparted valuable knowledge to her peers on how to assist owls in need.
To wrap off the class, the kids put their newly acquired information into action with a creative craft. Some read Nataliya Humen-Bilanych’s eco-story “Under the Owl’s Wing” published by the IERS and IRCEF team, to learn more about the cultural value of owls. Others demonstrated their knowledge of owls via creating owl-themed artwork for a school show.
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
