Workshops

The students will be devided into five international groups which will deal with different ecological issues. 1. Protection of biodiversity in the mountainous region. 2. Mineral resources and impact of their exploitation on the region. 3.Sustainable exploitation and use of brine. 4. Protection of water. 5.Ecological methods of animal keeping. ad.1The students learn about the problem of dying spruce monocultures and about the influence of climate changes on the condition of forests. A visit to the Wyrchczadeczka Carpathian Gene Bank in Jaworzynka, learning about acquiring the seeds of the Istebna spruce and the reintroduction of the endangered capercaillie. A visit to the Regional Centre for Ecological Education in Ustroń, learning about planning afforestation in the endangered regions. ad.2 The group visit a limestone quarry in Leszna Górna and learn about its influence of on the environment. By the man-made lake in Goleszów, they learn about the properties of the unique Cieszyn oil shale. In Goleszów students learn about local mineral resources and the impact of their extraction on the region ad.3 A visit the commune office in Dębowiec - the influence of a brine well on the development of the community. During a visit to a pump room, a brine swimming pool and a graduation tower in a spa in Ustroń, the group learn about brine exploitation and its recycling to its natural deposits, and swim in the pool. ad.4 The students deal with the problem of taking care of the limited water resources. A visit to a company which provides complete solutions for industrial waste water treatment. A visit to a fire station in Cieszyn - information on the influence of climate change on water levels. A field trip to the source of the Olza River – learning about decreasing water levels, collecting samples to compare with the samples from the Olza in Cieszyn ad.5 The students gain knowledge on using environmentally friendly animal keeping methods as an alternative to intensive animal farming. A visit to a family company using ecological methods of processing sheep products in Istebna. A visit to a modern farm in Goleszów.