This project (part of Science Voices' Greenworks initiative) links Lviv Polytechnic University with Carpathian Mountain and Podillia communities in Western Ukraine. We work on co-developing knowledge, research, and teaching resources related to geoforms, rivers, and soils and how to involve the community alongside scholars in this important work. Our top goal is to develop geotourism activities with local villages as well as to develop their capacity to conduct environmental monitoring.
Geology and culture are tightly integrated, which provides ample opportunities for learning. Yet these opportunities are poorly developed. In Western Ukraine, villages in the Carpathian Mountains and Podillian region are often the objects of academic research, but the insights rarely filter back to the villages that were the subject of study. Without this knowledge, villages can't act to manage their physical environment nor develop it for geotourism.
This project connects university scientists and students with villages throughout Western Ukraine through extension projects. By deeply involving community members in geological observations, river monitoring, and soil studies, we are working to build local expertise that flows from community to university and back again. By integrating with tourism programs at local universities, these insights can be further developed into economic activity through geotourism linked to local culture centers.
The potential long-term impact of this project includes preservation of natural landmarks, improved community relationships, and economic development. Additionally, by integrating educational elements such as workshops, school programs, and educational campaigns, the project aims to raise awareness about environmental conservation and promote a culture of responsible stewardship among the local population. This educational aspect is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the project.
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