Project name: Developing educational resources for cave and bat protection in the National park Galichica
Project coordinator: Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia – Local Branch Ohrid
Project partners: Eco Logic, Exploring Society Ursus Speleos Skopje
Funded by: PONT/CEPFDuration: November 2021 – June 2022
Several species of bats have been registered in the caves within the National Park Galicica, categorized as close to endangered species according to the IUCN European Red List of Threatened Species. The easy access to the caves in the Ohrid-Prespa region as well as the poor education of the local population, the lack of educational materials for protection of the caves and bats as well as the insufficient number of trained educators/trainers on the issue, impose the need for activities that will promote the protection of cave ecosystems, promotion of protection of endangered species as well as development of resources for education for the protection of caves and bats.
Within the project activities, through the preparation of 2 educational modules with resources as well as design of educational games intended for children from kindergarten and elementary schools, materials and resource will be designed which will further serve as an opportunity to improve education about importance of conserving bats and caves and biodiversity in general in the National Park Galichica and local municipalities which gravitate to this protected area. The networking of the partner organizations with National Park Galicica will contribute to increasing the level of cooperation and improving the level of education for the protection of caves and bats.
All activities will be done according to the Management plan of National park Galichica and their Strategy for environmental education of PIGNP 2021-2025, respecting the protection of caves and bats and in consideration with the COVID19 protocols and situation