Representatives of the Krka National Park in a return visit to colleagues from Finland

Representatives of the Krka National Park in a return visit to colleagues from Finland
Young people between the ages of thirteen and thirty are being more actively involved in the protection of nature and the environment through the Erasmus+ project "Raising environmental awareness among young people from protected areas", which is fully financed by the European Union. From June 10 to 14, 2024, a second study trip was held as part of the Erasmus+ project "Raising environmental awareness among young people from protected areas". The host was Kehittämisyhdistys Sepra Ry from Finland. On that occasion, representatives of protected areas from Latvia and Croatia visited numerous protected sites along the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland and participated in a workshop on the establishment of protocols for the Junior Ranger program. The first working day began with an official meeting of representatives of all partners and a workshop in Santalahti near the historic town of Kotka. The participants then went by boat to the archipelago of the Eastern Gulf of Finland National Park, whose ecological and biological marine significance has been recognized at the international level through the Convention on Biodiversity. While doing so, the importance of ice rocks and reefs, sandy habitats, gravel areas, and quiet muddy bays was particularly emphasized. On the island of Tammio, the most preserved place in the archipelago, in a fairytale environment, they were introduced to the fishing heritage, the rich historical and cultural heritage, and the centuries-old tradition of bird watching. The second day began with a visit to a museum – the Imperial Fishing Lodge in Langinkoski, a summer residence that was regularly visited by the Russian Emperor Alexander III and his family at the end of the 19th century. In the nearby nature park, the participants also visited the arboretum, organized with special care in 1959, in which there is a grove with twenty-one species of trees, eight of them endemic. An educational walk along the Katariinanpuisto – Mansikkalahti – Sapokka footpath provided an insight into the richness of the flora of the aquatic and marine habitats of the Kotka parks. In the afternoon, representatives of the project partners met with the leaders of local scout groups. "We are extremely glad that on this occasion we were able to be better acquainted with the activities through which young people become involved in nature protection. Their experience has helped us understand how much young people want to be engaged in preserving values ​​that transcend national borders. Connecting national parks for all of us means opening up new perspectives and exchanging knowledge and experience in working with young people", emphasized the director of the Krka National Park,  Nella Slavica, who added: "We believe that the establishment of a protocol for Junior Rangers in the Krka National Park will encourage other protected areas in Croatia to more actively involve younger generations in activities aimed at preserving the environment." The last working day of the study visit to Finland was dedicated to getting to know the natural features ​​of the island of Kaunissaari, located in the Gulf of Finland southwest of the city of Kotka. As a favorite tourist spot in the nearby archipelago, Kaunissaari is known for its ice ridges and sandy beaches. In addition to a strong fishing tradition, it is also characterized by a rich cultural heritage, which makes it an ideal weekend retreat for the local residents.

The total value of the project is EUR 60,000.00, which is entirely financed by the European Union. The holder of the project "Raising ecological awareness among young people in protected areas" (2023-3-LV02-KA210-YOU-000170610) is the Ķemeru National Park Fund (Ķemeru nacionālā parka fonds) from Latvia, while the project partners are the Gaujas National Park Fund (Gaujas nacionālā parka fonds) from Latvia, the Kehittämisyhdistys Sepra ry from Finland, and the Krka National Park from Croatia. The goals of the project are to inform young people about climate change, to strengthen the awareness of young people about the need to preserve nature and the environment, as well as the participation and exchange of experience of young people between the ages of thirteen and thirty through common platforms of protected areas in the project's partner countries, the development of a system of motivation for young people's participation in environmental protection, and the development of networking and the exchange of ideas.