14/02/2024–16/02/2024
The Framework
Hosted at the base of the Polish Partner, the upcoming series of Perspective Building Workshops on ‘Mountain Pasture Ecosystems and Pastoralism’ stands as a pivotal educational initiative in Poland. The event will consist of three separate 3-day workshops designed for an intimate audience of around 20 participants. Each workshop will include a day-long field trip, adding a practical dimension to the theoretical knowledge imparted.
Key Themes: A Holistic Approach
The curriculum is divided into five core themes, aiming to provide a holistic view of pasture ecosystems and pastoralism:
- Characteristics of Pasture and Grassland Ecosystems in the Mountains: Setting the foundational understanding of what makes these ecosystems unique and crucial.
- Pastoralism and Participatory Pasture Conservation for Halting Climate Change: Exploring the role that pastoral communities can play in climate action through responsible land management.
- Natural Livestock Farming and Biodiversity Conservation in Mountain Pastures: Addressing how ecologically sound livestock farming can be a win-win for biodiversity and local communities.
- Pastoral Tourism and Sustainable Livelihood of Shepherds: Investigating how tourism can serve as a secondary income source for shepherds while still preserving their way of life and the environment.
- Self-Driven Action Plans for Pastures Conservation: Empowering participants to develop their own actionable strategies tailored to their local contexts.
Field Trip: Theory Meets Practice
Each 3-day workshop incorporates a field trip, giving participants an invaluable opportunity to observe firsthand the principles discussed in the workshop. It serves as a reality check and as an inspiration for formulating actionable steps for pasture conservation.
The Target Audience and Goals
The workshops aim to attract a range of stakeholders—community leaders, policymakers, conservationists, and interested local residents among others. The ultimate goal is to empower these participants, imparting the necessary knowledge and skills to initiate and lead conservation projects in their own communities.
The Larger Impact
Poland’s mountain pastures are not just bucolic landscapes; they are biodiverse ecosystems that contribute to climate stability. These workshops aim to serve as an intellectual and practical foundation for long-term conservation strategies, directly influencing the livelihoods of pastoral communities and the health of our planet. By amplifying the role of local stakeholders in active conservation, the workshops are set to become a seminal force in building a sustainable future for Poland’s mountain pastures.
