The Alps of Albania and their generous inhabitants welcomed us this summer in Valbona. The EcoAlbania team joined the Balkans Peace Parks (B3P) project to develop educational activities with the children of the Valbona valley. We would go to Valbona precisely to continue the initiative to protect the mountain trout as one of the most important fish in the valley but not only. Awareness of the importance of mountain trout conservation is a fundamental element for the future of this population. EcoAlbania and the Continental Trout Conservation Fund (CTCF) are working to introduce proper fishing practices in this area.
Awareness for a more responsible society must begin with the education of future generations, those to whom we will entrust the future of our planet. That’s why we chose to join the B3P program to contribute even a little to the education of the children of the Valbona valley. On July 27-29, 2015, we organized a series of activities in the classroom and outdoors. Inside the classroom, presentations were made on the ecology of the trout and the importance of preserving it as the pride of the inhabitants of the valley. The children, divided into three groups depending on the age group, also participated in outdoor activities through which we aimed to stimulate imagination and critical thinking by listening to the sounds of nature, memorizing the shapes of objects in nature, creating verses about wildlife…etc. “Nature is as expensive as the motherland, it is clean and beautiful,” said one of the children in his essay. Many of them expressed their commitment to contribute to the protection of the beautiful nature that surrounds them and makes them feel proud.
Further raising awareness, drawing up management plans, or implementing practices such as; sport fishing through the “Catch and Release” method is a successful practice, a sustainable source of income serving as one of the main tools to improve the economic situation of the local community. These are suitable ways to create a favorable relationship between man and nature.
By Besjana Guri/ EcoAlbania
