Photo:©FAO

Ankara - Turkey's steppe ecosystems cover approximately 32 million hectares and include natural grasslands, meadows, and pastures. The integrity of Turkey's steppe ecosystems face threats such as habitat loss, overgrazing, and the impact of climate change.

One of the most important steps for protecting steppe biodiversity is to understand the importance of steppe ecosystems and raise public awareness. The project supports the effective protection of steppe ecosystems and the utilization of the rich biodiversity of steppes. Besides, activities are conducted to raise stakeholders' awareness in three different locations: Kızılkuyu Wildlife Development Site, Tek Tek Mountains National Park, and Karacadağ Steppe.
Various training programmes are carried out for target groups, including teachers, students, specialists, and decision-makers responsible from the protected areas. Students and teachers are the most important groups among these. A series of educational activities are currently conducted in 10 schools located in pilot fields in Şanlıurfa. One of the activities for students and teachers is preparing ‘steppe training kits’.
The purpose of preparing ‘steppe training kits’ is to teach young generations that steppes constitute one of the most important and sensitive ecosystems in Turkey. The kit includes source documents aimed at increasing the children's knowledge, interest, and awareness about steppe ecosystem of Şanlıurfa. Thanks to the kit, children will discover the diversity and value of steppes by learning about different aspects of steppe ecosystem, such as history, geography, sustainability, and climate change. The kit includes the 'I am Learning About Steppes' Teacher's Guidebook and the 'I am Learning About Steppes' Student Activity Book. The latter includes 4 different topics: Steppe Animals, Steppe Plants, Life in Steppe, and Steppe is an Ecosystem.
FAO held an online “Trainers Training” with the participation of teachers from the project fields, Ministry representatives, and FAO officers on May 12. The purpose of the event was to introduce the training materials and ask the teachers' opinions on how the learning kit can be used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The online training started with the opening remarks of FAO National Project Coordinator Nihan Yenilmez Arpa. She said, “It makes us very proud that you keep supporting the project with your devoted work and participation even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you very much. As you informed us, our children use steppe boards at schools, and they look at the photos of the species and ask each other questions about them. This shows that we have achieved our goals as a result of the activities. As FAO, we are very happy with the results. You know very well the areas we implement the project in Şanlıurfa. You used to see the species inhabiting these areas but you did not care enough, it was not your priority. However, steppes have become a priority for all of us with this project. Now we look around us more sensitively with enhanced perception. The Coronavirus pandemic showed us that nature does not forgive. It will care for us if we care for it. In this respect, it is our greatest responsibility to transfer our knowledge about importance of steppes to the next generations.”
Kenan Demiroğlu, Şanlıurfa Provincial Director of National Education, spoke next. Demiroğlu emphasized the success and value of the works in terms of promoting steppes and raising awareness. He stated that they gathered together with team members in various intervals and that they are very pleased to see that even more work has been accomplished than reported. He also said, “Please share your opinions and recommendations with us and have no doubt that we will support you as much as possible in every phase. We are always with you with our schools and teachers. We are ready to do our part to the best of our ability.”
Attended by a total of 22 people, the training continued with detailed information about the training kits and their use.
In addition, wall painting activities were held in schools chosen with the guidance of a professional artist as part of the training and awareness-raising programme of the project. Students painted the walls of their schools and created nature / environment corners for the first stage of the programme. This activity was for enhancing their nature experience, increasing their creativity, and questioning their surroundings through art activities. Six schools and a total of 120 students aged between 7 and 15 participated in the activity. Besides, additional activities were planned including creating nature / environment corners in schools, theatre performances, nature games, kite festival, and various competitions among children.
In addition, poetry and art competitions were held for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Şanlıurfa. These were aimed at raising awareness about and drawing attention to plant and animal species, biodiversity, and unknown natural and cultural values of steppes of Şanlıurfa. The competition process still continues. According to the results of the Selection Committee's evaluation, 1st-place winners of both categories will be awarded tablets, 2nd-place winners digital cameras, and 3rd-place winners digital watches as well as certificates. The application deadline is May 29. For more information about application requirements: https://sanliurfa.tarimorman.gov.tr/Haber/172/Bozkirda-Yasam-Siir-Ve-Resim-Yarismasi
Awareness-raising events as part of educational activities will continue in the upcoming months, including painting walls, creating nature corners, theatre plays, and kite festival.
This project is conducted by partnership of FAO, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, the General Directorate of Plant Production, and the General Directorate of Forestry, with the financial support of the Global Environment Facility.