Church towers for bats

Ukrainian youth education project for species conservation

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, prejudices and stereotypes against bats increased in many places. Especially in remote and rural areas such as parts of Transcarpathia, a region in the far west of Ukraine, these nocturnal hunters had a poor reputation. On the contrary, they were even persecuted by the local population.

Together with IERS and the VGP Foundation, NABU engaged in awareness-raising and environmental education to promote the protection of the animals. Since bats seek out church towers and the attics of public buildings as daytime roosts, these were refurbished within the framework of the project and equipped with bat boxes. In this way, the animals’ habitat could be preserved.

The project was aimed primarily at children and young people.

Environmental education for young conservationists

A key element of the project was environmental education workshops in the Carpathian communities. Young conservationists learned about bats and their role in fragile ecosystems through playful, hands-on activities. With their newly gained knowledge, they became ambassadors for species conservation and biodiversity in their communities. In doing so, they effectively helped to reduce local prejudices against bats.

Project results and achievements

• Seven expeditions for young researchers: investigation of church towers and attics of public buildings to study species composition
• 80 environmental education activities for 1,600 participating children and young people
• Theatre performances in kindergartens and schools in cooperation with the Bavka Theatre
• Training sessions at the Zoological Museum of Uzhhorod National University
• “Night of the Bats” events in the Carpathian National Parks
• Children’s creative competition with 210 participants from various regions (categories: handcraft, photography, drawing, creative writing)
• Branding for all promotional materials and media
• Printed materials on bat conservation measures: a factsheet, learning map “On the Way to Zero Waste”, five informational posters on bird species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine

• Workbook “Church Tower Habitat” (find a copy in the download section below)
• Establishment of community space “The Green Classroom”: meeting point and venue for environmental education programmes, lectures, and research activities for all age groups
• Production and installation of 50 bat boxes, 20 caves for garden bats, and 50 nesting aids for birds
• Public awareness campaign on 28 bat species found in Ukraine including infographics, 30 publications activated via social media

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