48 new Junior Rangers conquer the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve!

48 new Junior Rangers conquer the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve!

A big step for nature and environmental protection in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: 48 students from the elementary schools Putbus, Binz, Sellin and Mönchgut were recently appointed junior rangers of the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve. The celebratory event took place as part of a final event at which the young environmentalists were honored for their great achievements in the past school year.

The Junior Rangers have had an exciting year full of exploration and learning adventures. Excursions into the diverse habitats of the biosphere reserve were undertaken every two weeks. We went to the idyllic dune areas, the fine sandy Baltic Sea beaches as well as the forests and meadows of the region. The children showed great interest in the local flora and fauna and were intensively interested in animals, plants and their habitats.

Practical nature experience

One of the highlights of the program was practical species conservation. The children had the opportunity to build nesting aids for local songbirds such as the wagtail, black redstart and wren. This practical work not only promoted the little rangers' understanding of the animals' needs, but also their craftsmanship.

The knowledge learned was tested in an exciting forest rally in the Granitz. The students had to answer questions about animals and plants at various stations and master skill games, including determining the height of trees. Despite the challenges, all children mastered the tasks with flying colors and ultimately received their Junior Ranger Pass as a sign of their competence.

Support from partner companies

The final event was enriched by the active support of local partner companies, such as Molkerei- und Naturprodukt GmbH Poseritz, Pommernhof Westphal and Mönchguter Beekeeping. A regional breakfast ensured physical well-being and strengthened the connection between the Junior Rangers and the local economy.

This year shows once again how important the Junior Ranger Initiative is in raising awareness of nature and the environment among children aged 7 to 12. The nationwide Junior Ranger program, which was launched by EUROPARC Germany and WWF Germany in 2008, acts as a multiplier for ecological values. For the students from the region, it not only means an exciting adventure, but also the opportunity to actively participate in protecting our nature, which will stay with the students for a long time.

In the coming school year, the young nature lovers can once again look forward to taking part in the Junior Ranger Group at their schools. Another chapter in committed conservation work is about to begin, and the anticipation of new experiences and discoveries is already palpable. If you would like to find out more about the Junior Rangers, you can read about it on the website of the Federal Nature Watch Association, where other programs and initiatives are also presented.

For anyone interested in nature and preserving the environment, the Junior Ranger program not only offers a great opportunity to get involved, but also a platform to meet like-minded people and exchange ideas about nature conservation.

Further information is available on the Tagesschau websites, Biosphere reserve Southeast Rügen and Bundesverband Naturwacht. There you will also find numerous activities and exciting information about nature conservation in Germany.