engleski

The role of environmental NGOs in public awareness raising and protection of endangered species (step toward the community-based conservation)

Endemic Posidonia oceanica meadows are the richest community in the Adriatic Sea. Only a few decades ago they were widely distributed along the whole Istrian coast in Croatia. Due to the human impacts they are today almost extinct. Together with them hundreds of other species are disappearing. Despite that, Croatia didn't apply any legal protection measures and people are unaware of importance and threats to Posidonia. Recognizing these problems, as well as the power of community-based conservation and role of NGOs in that process, environmental NGO "Green Istria" started awareness raising campaign on the importance and protection of Posidonia meadows, aimed for local inhabitants, school children and tourists. Different educational material was printed and distributed. Traveling exhibition of underwater photographies of Posidonia and its inhabitants, with following lectures, were organized in several public spaces, schools and events. 15 minutes educational underwater documentary, which was later screened and awarded on several World underwater film festivals, was made and presented. The interest and cooperation of local government, inhabitants, tourists and media was amazing. Many schools and diving clubs included film and leaflets in their regular education. This project is just the first but very needed and unavoidable step in the process of Posidonia oceanica protection.

Posidonia oceanica; okolišne nevladine udruge; podizanje svijesti javnosti

nije evidentirano