Project implementation
The visit was hosted by the Polish partner organisation ETNA and comprised two parts, covering two main topics: environmental education through stimulation of volunteering and use of promotional events for the branding of environmentally friendly products as educational tool for the broad public. The participants concentrated also on the final outputs of the project.
Regional branding as a tool for conservation was presented during an earlier visit to Barycz Valley. This particular visit concentrated on the use of the promotional-educational tools being part of the regional branding system, i.e. the Carp Days-festival. The Carp Days are a sequel of events in the Barycz Valley, which aim at the promotion of the region’s products and natural values. The Carp Days expand over more than a month, so the visitors could only attend two events: The Odłowy (Fish Harvest) – open festival on the Aleksander Kowalski’s fish farm, and the Weekend with Birds combining volunteering for birds and guided bird watching walk (see next paragraph). Infrastructure for bird watching, bicycle and nature interpretation trails, educational centres in Krośnice, Milicz and Ruda Milicka, educational publications, products and services recognised with the Barycz Valley Recommends logo have been demonstrated.
The stimulation of volunteers was presented on-site. The workshop participants worked together with volunteers, cutting bushes to shape the bird habitats. Common work and talking to the volunteers and their leaders demonstrated in practice the importance and functioning of certain habitats for rare bird species. A guided tour explained the role of active conservation in survival of some species, and how this can help to explain a concept that is often difficult for the general public. The removal of some vegetation that occurred naturally for a common citizen has negative connotations, and at first glance is never considered to be a conservation measure. However it may help wild animals and plants if done properly and in a right place. Participants worked in one such site and visited site that was improved a year earlier.