This year, the Lesser White-fronted Geese left the wetlands of Northern Greece for a while and "landed" in schools and libraries, offering unique hands-on experiences to both children and adults.
The Environmental Education Team of the Hellenic Ornithological Society / BirdLife Greece visited 15 schools in Northern Greece and introduced the most endangered waterbird in Europe to more than 500 pupils. The children left their classrooms for a while, and together we visited the favorite habitats of the Lesser White-fronted Geese in Lake Kerkini, Evros Delta, and Ismarida – Vistonida lakes, by dedicating one week to each of these areas.
Our first stop was at the Primary Schools of Kerkini and Serres, where we introduced the Lesser White-fronted Goose to the children, who learned about its migratory routes and the threats this rare goose faces. Along with the students of the 2nd Vocational High School of Serres, we visited lake Kerkini, where we had the pleasure of spotting and observing with binoculars and telescopes the Lesser White-fronted Geese, grazing in their favorite wet meadows, alongside Greater White-fronted Geese and other waterfowl. It was a unique experience for the children, as it is an extremely rare species that is hard to see.
Our second stop was the city of Komotini and Ismarida - Vistonida lakes, where the school pupils discovered the reasons why, unfortunately, the Lesser White-fronted Geese no longer visit these areas. We visited the wetlands where the Lesser White-fronted Geese once used to visit regularly, we observed birds, and discussed the human-induced changes that have occurred in these areas, making them inhospitable for the Lessers. The students from the Artistic High School of Komotini created an original Outdoor Art Museum themed around the Lesser White-fronted Goose, which included "land art", sculptures and impressionistic artworks, conveying their own message with the hope that the Lesser White-fronted Geese will visit their region again in the future!
Our educational activities continued at the Kindergarten and Primary School of Xylagani, while the educators of Komotini also had the opportunity to get to know the Lesser White-fronted Goose through the Educational Seminar we conducted, so they could apply the activities of the Environmental Education Material for the Lesser White-fronted Goose in their schools.
Our last stop was Evros Delta. A very important wetland, both for the Lesser White-fronted Goose and for many other bird species that visit the area to overwinter. The pupils from the Special Primary School and the 7th and 9th Primary Schools of Alexandroupolis enthusiastically accompanied us during our field visit to Evros Delta, despite the cold weather. Although the Lesser White-fronted Geese did not honor us with their presence, we had the chance to observe more than 20 bird species, such as Eurasian spoonbills, Little egrets, Bewick's swans, Eurasian coots, Hen harriers, various duck species, and other waterbirds and shorebirds. Finally, we visited the Kindergarten and Primary School of Avantas, where the experienced young observers greeted us eagerly, as they are already members of our Student Team for the conservation of the Egyptian Vulture.
Events at Public Municipal Libraries
Through the story "A Tiny Goose…so Little Goose", Thomas, the juvenile Lesser White-fronted Goose and his friend Finn, the Greater White-fronted Goose, "landed" in the Public Municipal Libraries of Serres, Komotini, and Alexandroupolis!
Together with the children, we spread our wings to follow the two friends on their migratory journey, while learning about their morphological differences, habits, and the threats they face. Finally, we created goose masks and wearing them, we all flew together to the wetlands where the Lesser White-fronted Geese overwinter.
Completing this beautiful educational journey, through the hands-on activities we carried out, the educational community had the opportunity to get to know the Lesser White-fronted Geese, understand the threats they face, and bid them farewell for this year, as the time has come for them to begin their long journey back to the north, where they will stay until September.
We are sure that the children will eagerly await their return to the Greek wetlands, as it coincides with the beginning of the new school year, which will bring new Lesser White-fronted Goose activities to their desks!
Educational Seminar for educators in Komotini
We warmly thank the Environmental Education Centre of Maronia for their collaboration on our activities in Komotini area, the 8th Primary School of Komotini for hosting the Educational Seminar, and the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace, as well as the Primary and Secondary Education Departments of Rodopi for their co-organization.
We also extend our gratitude to the Public Central Library of Serres, the Municipal Library of Komotini, the Municipal Library of Alexandroupolis, and the Education Department of the Municipality of Alexandroupolis for hosting and co-organizing the events for the general public.
The Environmental Education activities were implemented within the framework of the European LIFE LWfG Climate Project, which brings together eight organizations and entities from five countries (Greece, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Hungary) for the protection of the endangered Lesser White-fronted Goose. The project is implemented with co-funding from the European Union and the Norwegian Environment Agency.