Nurturing Nature: Kukës celebrates the European Green Belt
From stakeholder discussions to student-led nature walks, Kukës marked the European Green Belt Days by raising awareness of its ecological significance.
Background & Location
As part of a larger celebration spanning multiple countries along the European Green Belt, the Resource Environmental Center Albania (REC Albania) hosted two local activities in Kukës to mark the European Green Belt Days. The events were organized in collaboration with local authorities and schools, highlighting Kukës' important role in the Green Belt. With its proximity to the Korab-Koritnik National Park and Fierza Lake, the region provided an ideal setting to showcase the biodiversity and natural values of the European Green Belt.
Objective
The main objective of the celebration in Kukës was to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental practices. By involving stakeholders and conducting educational activities, REC Albania aimed to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the European Green Belt, particularly in Albania's Korab-Koritnik National Park. The event aimed to empower local stakeholders, educators, and students with knowledge about environmental monitoring, conservation strategies, and the ecological importance of their region. By fostering a sense of responsibility towards their natural surroundings, the event also aimed to inspire long-term stewardship of Kukës' natural heritage within the broader framework of European conservation efforts.
Approach & Results
The two-day celebration combined indoor educational activities with hands-on outdoor experiences.
Day 1: Local officials, NGO representatives and community leaders stakeholder met at the "Hasan Prishtina" Cultural Palace. Experts from REC Albania and environmental specialists shared their knowledge about the European Green Belt and the Korab-Koritnik National Park. Discussions highlighted ongoing conservation projects and the ecological importance of the Kukës region as part of the European Green Belt.
Day 2: Students from "Havzi Nela" High School took part in an outdoor expedition near Lake Fierza. The students were introduced to the European Green Belt through interactive activities, including water quality experiments and a nature walk. These experiences allowed the students to directly observe local biodiversity and learn about environmental monitoring techniques in a practical and engaging way.
A total of 34 people attended the celebration over the two days, which successfully raised awareness and appreciation for Kukës being part of the European Green Belt and the wider efforts to conserve biodiversity across Europe.
Photo gallery of the European Green Belt Days celebration
