The first environmental education center in the Vitebsk region will open in the Gluboksky district
"Conservation of biodiversity, mitigation of negative consequences of climate change, prevention of degradation and restoration of depleted lands, prevention of pollution of international watercourses, improvement of the situation with persistent organic pollutants, development of ecotourism - to implement these important environmental protection measures, it is necessary to inform and involve the public in the work. For this purpose, the first regional center for environmental education is being created in the Glubokoe district of the Vitebsk region," said Olga Lelyukova.
The new environmental center will contribute to the formation of a comprehensive system of environmental education in the Vitebsk region on issues of preventing, mitigating, and adapting to the consequences of climate change, as well as environmental conservation. "For example, in the town of Glubokoe, with a population of about 19 thousand people, where the private sector makes up the lion's share of the development, there is not a single house or apartment where energy supply is partially or fully provided by renewable energy sources. This fact confirms the lack of environmental information at the local level. This project is designed to change the situation in the region. Special attention in educational work will be paid to the younger generation," the public association noted.
The center's premises are equipped with a demonstration and educational conference hall intended for meetings, conferences, seminars, and other events in the field of environmental education for residents of Glubokoe, as well as neighboring districts. The center building itself is equipped with a renewable energy source – a solar collector.
The opening of the ecological center became possible thanks to the Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment Facility project "Raising Public Awareness on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation," implemented by the public association "Klyukvachi" with the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.