A group of students from an Italian high school in Udine took part in the educational programme on wildlife monitoring organised by our funded project 4PETHABECO .
Young Scientists in the Field
The exercise, framed within the practice of citizen science, brings a new perspective: the involvement of youth into the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research. Through citizen science, scientists work with people to contribute to data monitoring and collection programs, creating more opportunities to share scientific knowledge and foster informed communities.
The coordinator of 4PETHABECO, the University of Udine, involved students of the Fermo Solari high school in a series of outdoor workshops focused on observing wildlife in the woods through direct, hands-on experience. Activities included monitoring techniques of large carnivores, tracking and sign surveys, the use of camera traps, acoustic stimulation methods, and hair sampling. In addition, the students had the opportunity to visit and test the operation of one of the bear traps used for scientific monitoring in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, gaining first-hand insight into how data on large mammals are collected within research and conservation programmes.
Group work on data collection
These outdoor workshops represent an important example of scientific outreach and environmental education, promoting a learning by doing approach that actively engages students and enhances their understanding of complex ecological processes. At the same time, involving young people and local schools contributes to strengthening the participation of local communities, which plays a key role in raising awareness and fostering informed and sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. The project is expected to organise 12 workshops involving more than 200 students across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
Through initiatives like this, the project continues to support knowledge sharing, education, and community engagement as essential components for effective biodiversity conservation and wildlife management strategies. 4PETHABECO aims to test solutions for the protection of large terrestrial carnivores through green infrastructure, and to improve connectivity. The project is an EUSAIR Flagship and supports the goals and aims of EUSAIR Pillar 3.
Learn more about the project: 4PETHABECO.
