Vitebsk's 'Ecological Patrol' Recognized as the Best in the Country
Public ecologists of the northern region distinguished themselves in all nominations of the competition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and the Belarusian Republican Youth Union.
Thus, the volunteer detachment "Together" of the Dolzha secondary school of the Vitebsk district took second place among student youth associations. The best landscape composition, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, was created by volunteers from the Studenok kindergarten-secondary school of the Senno district, and the detachment of the Rossony secondary school named after P. Masherov took third place in the same nomination.
Among student youth, the first place was taken by the volunteer detachment "Ecological Patrol" of VSU named after P. Masherov. Interestingly, we were the first to inform them about the victory in the republican competition.
– Of course, this is pleasant news, but, to be honest, we are not chasing awards, – said Inna Litvenkova, curator of public ecologists, associate professor of the Department of Ecology and Nature Protection of the university. She reported that the "green" detachment at the Faculty of Biology was created back in 2005.
– Since then, we have been constantly developing, expanding the scope and directions of our activities. Our volunteers work closely with the regional committee of natural resources and environmental protection. The "Ecological Patrol" is mainly composed of students majoring in "Bioecology". For many students, this is also a kind of internship. From the first courses, they are on duty together with specialists from the city inspection, go on raids, identify unauthorized landfills, and other violations of environmental legislation, and also collect material for their scientific research, – said Inna Alexandrovna.
Volunteers of the "Ecological Patrol" are initiators and organizers of specialized campaigns, participate in cleanup events, and cooperate in this area with various enterprises and public associations: with an animal shelter, the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen (BOOR), and the Vitebsk Forestry.
It is noteworthy that young people are also involved in social and educational work.
For example, for several years, public ecologists have been implementing a joint project with the Vitebsk Zoo, which hosted a club for schoolchildren. Volunteers organize the release of environmental newsletters in the city's educational institutions. Many continue to participate in the city's "green" movement even after graduating from university. Maria Danyu, a graduate of the Faculty of Biology, initiated the creation of a school environmental squad at Vitebsk Gymnasium No. 7.
The most significant events for the volunteer squad this year were the completion of the "Green City" eco-project, which resulted in the landscaping of the area near the regional library, as well as performances by the environmental theater, joint celebrations and events with teachers and students of the Vitebsk boarding school for children with hearing impairments.
– The main thing we aimed for when creating the "Environmental Patrol" was the independence and initiative of young people. At the first meeting with newcomers, we immediately warn them that no one will come to them and tell them what they need to do. Everyone chooses a direction they are interested in, proposes ideas, and involves others in their implementation, – explained Inna Litvenkova.