DTEK Renewables, in collaboration with Mykhailo Drebet, Head of the research department at the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, arranged educational and practical lessons for schoolchildren in the Mykolaiv region. The themed lessons and a masterclass on bat conservation took place at secondary schools in the villages of Krasnopillia and Novofedorivka. These educational events were organised as part of DTEK Renewable’s social partnership with the Berezanka and Kobleve local communities.
The main aim of the eco-lessons was to dispel common myths about bats, explain their practical benefits for ecosystems, and teach the younger generation to treat wildlife with care. During the lectures, the scientist told the children about the characteristics of the bats living in southern Ukraine, particularly on the coast of the Tiligul Estuary. The speaker discussed in detail the role of bats in the natural regulation of insect pest populations and emphasised the importance of protecting these animals, as all bat species in Ukraine are currently listed in the Red Book.
The theoretical part of the event was complemented by a practical workshop, where the children could get hands-on experience in helping to save bats. Under the guidance of the scientist and specialists from DTEK Renewables, the schoolchildren built special wooden bat boxes. The components for the houses were handmade by DTEK Renewables employees. These structures, known worldwide as bat boxes, serve as artificial shelters that help bats hide safely during the day and raise their young..jpg "DTEK Renewables arranged environmental lessons on bats for children in Mykolaiv region communities. 3")
All the bat boxes made by the pupils will be put to practical use and placed in local communities to help preserve local bat populations.
“Biodiversity conservation is an integral part of the company’s sustainable development strategy. As a socially and environmentally responsible business, DTEK Renewables combines the generation of clean energy with care for the environment and community development in its operations. Thanks to the synergy between science, business and local communities, we are able to create truly effective tools for protecting nature, and workshops like these help to instil a sound and conscious environmental culture in children from an early age,” said Tetiana Babich, Environmental Manager at DTEK Renewables.
Mykhailo Drebet, Head of the research department at the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, emphasised: “Bats are one of the most vulnerable and, at the same time, most mythologised groups of animals, so lessons like these help children understand that bats need our protection, not our fear. The fact that the schoolchildren built shelters for bats themselves is an important practical contribution to the conservation of biodiversity in the southern region”.
The themed lessons on bats evoked genuine emotions in the children, and the results of their work will now bring real and tangible benefits to wildlife for years to come. At the end of the event, all the children received leaflets from the company on how to behave around bats, as well as treats featuring images of bats.
