Biodiversity is one of the key words in terms of protecting the environment. This aspect was passed on to the children from Nereju who participated in the information meeting within the educational program of the project, held at Şcoala Gimnazială „Dimitrie Gusti” in the village.
With the goal of increasing the level of education and awareness among students regarding the importance of having a responsible behavior towards biodiversity conservation, the presentation was an interactive one, engaging in the conversation all 20 participants, in 6th and 7th grades.
The project team provided the children with details about the location and natural value of the site Căldările Zăbalei from the biological diversity point of view, thus the presentation being an opportunity for students to learn for the first time about the existence of this natural area.
The children were introduced to general notions such as biodiversity, protected natural area, species and habitat. They stated they were already familiar with these notions due to biology classes and extracurricular activities they had attended over time, but that the presentation helped them complete their knowledge. The students gave examples of protected areas from Vrancea County and the rest of the country, some of which were mentioned as having been visited during trips organized by the school (Parcul Natural Putna – Vrancea) or together with their families (Parcul Natural Bucegi, Parcul Natural Porţile de Fier etc.).
Regarding the ways to protect a natural area, such as the site Căldările Zăbalei, students acknowledged with the help of the project team what are the main steps to be taken. Several proper behaviors were listed, such as camping and lighting fire only in specially designed areas, keeping quiet, gathering garbage, protecting trees and all plant species, not damaging the information panels etc. At the end of the meeting, team members encouraged the children to pass all this information to their family, friends and acquaintances and take responsibility for protecting the environment by participating in the ecological activities within their community.
