The Rufford Small Grants Foundation project "Interactive education program for student bird watching clubs - building a new generation of conservationists in Uzbekistan"

2010 - 2011

The project aims to improve the knowledge and abilities of students in the field of environment. It is directed to preparing specialists for nature conservation by implementation of educational program in five university student clubs, where students learn more about nature conservation in Uzbekistan in an alternative way.

To develop Uzbekistan's nature conservation efforts, it is crucial to train and educate capable conservationists. Theory-based universities do not give opportunity for students to gain practical knowledge and skills. Therefore, the Uzbekistan Society for the Protection of Birds (UzSPB) has developed this project. More than 50 students from five regions of Uzbekistan will participate in this project. All of them will be potential employees of nature conservation organizations in Uzbekistan, where all institutions lack capable young staff.

In this project, UzSPB will work through students, the leaders of 5 birdwatching clubs located at Faculties of Natural and Biological Sciences in Uzbekistan. Club leaders will be prepared to work as trainers and will pass on their knowledge and skills to their colleagues at universities with the help of interactive training sessions on CDs and a special manual, which will be developed by this project. Furthermore, club leaders (trainers) will be supported and coached by their supervisors and the project team, who will overlook the process. As a result young specialists for non-governmental and governmental nature conservation organizations will be educated and trained by their own university mates.

Outcomes of this project are:

1. An Education kit, including CDs with an interactive education program and material for 20 sessions will be developed;
2. Student leaders of five birdwatching clubs, located at Faculties of Natural and Biological Sciences in Uzbekistan will be prepared to act as trainers of their club members.
3. Young specialists for non-governmental and governmental nature conservation organizations will be educated and trained by their own university mates;
4. Club leaders and members will develop their leadership skills and become acquainted with interactive methods of training and environmental education;
5. The level of knowledge and activity of students in the field of nature conservation will be raised;
6. Two small grants awarded through this project will make students active and give them the chance to use gained knowledge;
7. Club supervisors together with the project team will support the educational process and carry out the final examination for all participants. It is anticipated to choose 10 most talented students, who will take part in a conference.
8. Students will share experience at a conference in Bukhara.
9. All materials of the project will be summarized and a best-practice-guide will be published and distributed among universities and environmental organizations.
10. The network of student birdwatching clubs in Uzbekistan will be expanded through good PR work.

We hope that the new generation of conservationists trained in the framework of educational program will increase the number of qualified employees in nature conservation organizations in Uzbekistan. The realization of the project will also contribute to the integration of interactive methods to the educational process of universities.