The first meeting with students held within the information and awareness campaign on biodiversity in the site Călările Zăbalei was organized at Şcoala Gimnazială Nereju Mic, for 20 children in the 8th grade.
Finding out that Ocolul Silvic Năruja is the custodian of this protected natural area, located on the administrative territory of Nereju commune, most children realized they did not know about the existence of this site in their commune. However, some of them said they visited the site together with their family and the project team provided information about the rock formations specific to the site, the so-called „căldări” (marmites) sculpted by the river Zăbala, to help students understand where the site name comes from.
The children were introduced to the concepts of species and habitat, while being encouraged to expose their knowledge and provide as many examples as possible. Some of them said they had seen various animal species in the forest near the village (newts, lizards, multicolored butterflies etc.). The nine protected animal species in the site Căldările Zăbalei have also been presented, team members providing details about some of the species so that students do not mistake them with others in the future (for example, lynx was originally identified by children as wild cat and the great crested newt as salamander).
Towards the end of the presentation, students watched the two short movies produced within the project. One of them captured their special attention, as it presented information both about the natural area Căldările Zăbalei and about the protected species Ursus arctos (brown bear) living in the site. Several students said they had seen this species in the zoo, but the movie and presentation helped them understand the importance of natural habitat in the life of bear and of every wild species.
All participants received leaflets, caps and backpacks and mentioned that they would get involved in future awareness and education activities organized in their school or community in order to protect the environment.
