Owls and nature conservation:

Environmental awareness education in schools

January-February, 2008

Who are we?

The Barn Owl Foundation (BOF), Hungary is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the sensitive management of the countryside and long-term survival of barn owls in Hungary and all over Europe. Barn owl populations have been decreasing for decades due to loss of traditional nesting sites, intensification of agriculture and loss of suitable habitats. The BOF monitors the barn owl population across Hungary and runs a sanctuary for injured barn owls. BOF regularly take part in scientific conferences and community meetings to provide information and recommendations for habitat management and species action plans.

The recent project

Ambios Ltd. (UK) and the BOF (Hungary) were recently successful with an application to the EU Leonardo Mobility Programme to host two volunteers from the UK for six weeks in Hungary. The main objectives of this international co-operation is to support participants in training and further training activities, in the acquisition and the use of knowledge, skills and qualifications to facilitate personal development, employability and participation in the European Labour Market.

Presentations in high schools in English about owl and nature conservation

The BOF aims to place a special and increased emphasis on children’s education on the theme of “Think globally, act locally”. We believe that we can bring environmental thinking closer to the younger generations if we offer new and innovative ways of learning. For this reason we are planning to organise special English lessons in high schools with the help of the native English speaking volunteers. This way the British volunteers could reach many children within a relatively short time, and they could discuss environmental problems, such as barn owl protection, the importance of a healthy and natural environment, the problem of habitat loss etc. The advantages of this informal teaching technique is multiple. We are hoping that in this way several teenagers will join the BOF.

The “scientific” level of the presentations

This presentation is not going to be an academic talk. The subjects, vocabulary and general language of the presentation are deliberately simplified. However, if we can give a talk (or rather a chat) in an intermediate or advanced class, we can adapt the conversation to the most appropriate level. The students do not need to know any scientific or special expressions prior to the lesson, but we issue a short selection of words which makes understanding easier.

The subject of the presentation

The barn owl (Tyto alba) and the other owl species are all “flagship species”. This last phrase means that a particularly attractive species is extremely vulnerable and the story of this species can help people to understand why environmental thinking and acting are essential. Using owls as excellent emblematic species we can demonstrate how we ruin our natural environment and how this affects such an impressive species, like the barn owl. The message of our presentation will touch everybody’s thoughts, as owls are one of the most interesting and beautiful bird groups. To top it all off, we are going to present one alive injured individual (either tawny owl or little owl). The audience will be able to watch and touch the bird! Download the leaflet education_leaflet_barn_owl_2008.pdf

If you are an English and/or biology teacher and you find nature conservation an important issue, please, do not hesitate to contact us! The BOF is a non-for-profit organisation; we need only 45 minutes and your support.

Yours sincerely,
Ákos Klein
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The Barn Owl Foundation, Hungary (BOF, Hungary, in Hungarian Gyöngybagolyvédelmi Alapítvány)
Eötvös u. 34., Gyömrő 2230, Hungary
E-mail: gyongybagoly@gyongybagoly.hu
Website: www.gyongybagoly.hu
Non-stop barn owl emergency phone: (+36) 20 322 5620

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