On 28.6.2022, as part of the awareness campaign of the project “Improving the condition of selected wetlands in the left-hand branch system of the Danube River”, we took part in the International Danube Day, which took place at the river confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers under the Devín castle.
During the day, many environmental activities took place, combined with an educational programme and awareness activities concerning, besides other things, the origin of wetlands, their role in the landscape, the care of wetlands and, last but not least, the sustainability of the good condition of the Danube wetlands.
The event was attended by various organisations such as Slovenské Banské Múzeum, Slovenská agentúra životného prostredia, Štátna ochrany prírody SR, Výskumný ústav vodného hospodárstva, Bratislavské regionálne ochranárske združenie, Slovenský rybársky zväz – Rada Žilina, Verejné prístavy, a. s., VODOHOSPODÁRSKA VÝSTAVBA, ŠTÁTNY PODNIK, SLOVENSKÝ VODOHOSPODÁRSKY PODNIK, štátny podnik.
Together we prepared for about 120 children from Bratislava schools demonstrations of insects, fishes living in the Danube, learning about minerals and rocks, viewing of measuring equipment, a model of simulated floods on the river Danube, various quizzes, as well as folding of the largest freshwater fish “Beluga” (Huso huso).
Through our project, the children at our workplaces learned what wetlands actually are, how they are formed, why they are important and how to take care of them.
During the presentations about wetlands and life in the wetland ecosystem, the children had the opportunity to make their own wetland with animals that live in them. They also had the opportunity to dig up Danube Treasures and left not only with beautiful colouring pictures of animals living in the Danube wetlands, but also with their miniature models.
Together with us, the Slovenský rybársky zväz – Rada Žilina took part in the awareness-raising event. In their stand, children could also touch live fishes of the branch system and release a live Small Sturgeon into the Danube.
With nice gifts, bags or pencils, contributed The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (MKOD, ICPDR).
The Danube Day was also attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Smatana, who awarded the winners of the Danube Master of Art 2021 competition on the boat that took the children to Devín. He was also impressed by our stations.
The Project „Improving the condition of selected wetlands in the left-hand branch system of the Danube River“ benefits from a € 429 244 grant from Norway through the Norway Grants. The project has been co-financed from the State Budget of the Slovak Republic in the amount of € 75 749.