August, 2013, Crimea, Ukraine

Summary: 3 August, 15 volunteer alumni from Southern Ukraine (Odesa, Melitopol, Mykolayiv, Kakhovka, Sevastopol, Yalta, Chernomorske, Alushta) took part in the first Eco-Kyaking clean up expedition of the coast of Balaklava-Karan’-Fiolent organized by Svitlana Buko (FLEX’ 96). The group was trained/prepared by BlackSeaKayaking school. Volunteers kayaked to the wild beach, listened to the outdoor lecture on eco tourism and cleaned up 15 bags of trash. The team kayaked from Balaklava along the coast, observed the cliffs of Karan’s and Fiolent national reserves. Karan’ and Fiolent are one of the most beautiful places in Crimea - beaches are down by the steep cliffs with stunning vast views over the Black Sea.

photo: Karan’ -Fiolent coast (Crimea, Ukraine)

The group stopped at one of the smaller wild beaches in order to reflect on their coast/marine observations and listen to a lecture by Environmental Expert, Muskie Alumnus Oleksiy Kalynychenko. He facilitated an open air discussion at the beach about ecology with the focus on eco-tourism. Flex alumni reflected on their US amazing experience with National parks: Hawaii volcano crater hiking, swimming in the Niagara falls, camping in Yosemite National Park, skiing at Tahoe Lake, Mount Rushmore climbing, etc. The team brainstormed about project ideas about acting together to create lasting solutions in Ukraine.

Group also got a bonus yoga lesson from local yoga trainer Ekaterina Cherkasova, who made sure alumni are well rested/stretched after a long paddling trip along the coast. photo: Ecotourism lecture by O. Kalynychenko

In the afternoon volunteers reached one of the bigger beach – KEY clean up target. The group collected 15 bags of trash, answered questions of tourists/locals about goals of the clean up kayak expedition, set an excellent example of the eco awareness and environmental pro-activeness at the beach. It was a good way to demonstrate that cleanup activities can be united with educational discussion and coast sport.

Tetyana Timofeenko (Sevastopol) shares impressions about project impact “There was a special mood in our group that day, we were all united by the same goal and same conditions. Every second was exciting: trying kayaking for the first time, going to new places, learning about Ecotourism, having the relaxing yoga class, making the desired effect on the people at the beach where we showed up on kayaks and cleaned it.”

Marina Cherednechenko (Sevastopol) shares about impact on the locals “The most fun was looking at people wondering who we are and why we suddenly came in kayaks to clean their beach. They kept saying “thank you, well done!”.

Photo: alumni kayaking along the Karan’ Coast

4 results of the expedition: 1) beach Vasili was cleaned up by the team (15 bags of trash), 2) project open air beach lecture and discussion raised awareness among alumni about ecotourism concepts and national coastal reserves of the Black sea; 3) clean up motivated alumni to act together to create lasting solutions to marine pollution; 4) eco-kayak expedition set a great example to the local community and tourists about beach clean ups.

Alumni participants: FLEX alumni - Svitlana Buko, Marina Cherednichenko, Tetyana Timofeenko, Kseniya Timofeenko, Dmtro Shelest, (Sevastopol), Daniil Klimenko, Sevil Shestakova (Alushta), Valeria Golovina (Yakimivka-Melitopol), Mykhaylo Alekseenko (Odesa), Inessa Pogrebenuk (Sudak-Yalta), Yaroslav Pasichnechenko (Kakhovka), Polina Baikova (Mykolayiv), Katie Katevan Harshiladze (Chernomorske). Muskie Alumnus Oleksiy Kalynychenko (Sevastopol).

Special thanks to ACCELS FLEX Alumni Grants Program for supporting the project

Save Our Shores – kayak clean expedition"! Project lead: Svitlana Buko, PhD, FLEX 96

Reflections of participants:

Valeriya Golovina (Yakimivka) “The most fun was actually paddling on the kayak. I have never done this before. When I tried, I realized that it's not that hard. It's so much fun trying to row against the wind and enjoy the magnificent beauty of rocky beaches and azure water. It was interesting to meet Aleksiy and listen to his lecture about Ecotourism. As for me, I found a great inspiration in his way of life and work he does. I would love to do more Ecotourism in my life and visit undisturbed places. Eco Tourism helps to protect environment and preserve its natural beauty. I loved yoga lesson - I can definitely use a yoga class after cleaning the park. Also I can use Kayak expedition to the distant Azov Sea beaches after or before cleaning the beaches where usually is kind of dirty. I would love to do this again. Also I would love to hike, walking tours, time in forest. Eco-Kayak project reminded me that we have so many amazing and bewitching places in Ukraine. We just should learn how to keep their beauty and naturalness!!!”

Tetyana Timofeenko (Sevastopol) “Thank you for a great project, Sveta! It was a great day out in the nature and a fun way to make a difference! Looking forward to more exciting projects from you, and thank you for the inspiration to do ecological projects. The most fun part of the Eco-Kayak expedition was, in my opinion, getting this new experience in general. There was a special mood in our group that day, we were all united by the same goal and same conditions. Every second was exciting: trying kayaking for the first time, going to new places, learning about Ecotourism, having the relaxing yoga class, making the desired effect on the people at the beach where we showed up and cleaned it. Learning a new sport and the Ecotourism lecture by Alex were the most interesting for me. The Eco-Kayak really inspired me to do ecological projects. Trying out a new sport with a great group of people +doing clean-ups/planting trees/taking care of wildlife/having eco-seminars. I definitely would like to do it again! A great idea for an eco-sport activity would be a eco-bicycle tour. Go somewhere on bicycles, plant trees and go back.”

Katie Katevan Harshiladze (Chernomorske). “Hey Svetlana;) thank you for this awesome day, it was amazing! I had a blast and I'm looking forward to participate in another projects! The most interesting thing was all information about Eco-tourism that Alexey told us. I think it was really useful and it will help me a lot to create my own project, which will be connected with Eco-tourism. Ecotourism can actually help nature a lot. It can show to another people how beautiful all places that didn't get touched by economics and business, and obviously human are. I learned also, that we can use benefits of economics and development to SAVE nature, not destroy it. As Alexey said, I would totally involve local people in this chain. I think local people can actually save their native territories in the best way. I would totally do it again. And I want to participate and help in organizing everything too!”

Dmyto Shelest (Sevastopol) I really enjoyed Kayaking and a story from Alex. I will for sure remember 3 stones of Ecotourism!”

Mykhaylo Alekseenko (Odesa) “Ecokayaing was fun for sure! What was the most interesting/educational? I really enjoyed Alex story about his MUSKIE experience as an "eco" student.”

Marina Cherednechenko (Sevastopol) “The most fun was looking at people wondering who we are and why we suddenly came to clean their beach. The most interesting probably was kayaking itself and the most educational was Alexey's lecture about ecotourism and its milestones. Ecotourism can enjoyable for tourists but in the same time beneficial for community. One of the ideas I can borrow from this project is that you can organize people offering them not just things needed to be done but showing a fun side of it. The idea of beach clean up itself is a great one for my city-Sevastopol. I would like to be part of something like this project and it. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, looking forward for the new ideas or projects.”

Ksenia Timofeenko (Sevastopol) “The most fun part for me was paddling with my sister in a double kayak for the first time. It was unbelievable, want to do it again! The most interesting part was communicating and making friends in the new casual environment. It’s the local people who are in control of Ecotourism in their area and it’s up to them to promote and support it. I think a good idea would be having a clean up like this, but involving the locals more. I would definitely like to do it again. Thanks again for this activity! “

Polina Baikova (Mykolayiv) “Thank you, Sveta! I am so pleased that I was invited to your event and it was a great experience for me, and a great example of a successful project!! Thank you for being such an inspiration and example for young FLEXers:)) The most fun for me was being an eco-tourist because it was something new for me. I have never done kayaking before, so it was very exciting. The most interesting was Alexey's lecture, it was cool to learn about his experience and learn what is an eco-tourism. I learned about the three rocks that are the three main components of ecotourism: natural area, tourists and locals. The main goal of ecotourism is to minimize the bad impact that tourism has on an natural areas, to encourage travelers to have a positive impact on the beautiful places they are visiting. It’s great to combine fun and interesting time with doing something beneficial for society. I am thinking about doing a project in my city, cleaning up a beach or wood area and getting to that area on bikes. I would definitely love to do it again! Anything active would be fun and I would love to help to organize it.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16