Eco Kayak, Coastal Cleanup and Dolphin Watch

Svitlana Buko ’97 (Sevastopol, Ukraine)

Event Location: Sevastopol, Ukraine

FLEX GYSD Grant Funding: 500$

Cost Share: 724$

With coastal areas facing the double threat of climate change and environmental degradation, FLEX Alumna Svitlana Buko ’97 organized a project to promote ecological awareness among the coastal population of Crimea. The project also aimed to reconnect ecology researchers, kayakers, volunteers, and the general population.

The 37 participants, of which 7 were FLEX alumni, watched dolphins from a boat, cleaned up the beach - collecting 11 bags of thrash, studied how to kayak, and hiked up the mountain to watch dolphins. They also took part in two workshops on ecotourism and dolphin protection. The event took place on April 12, in Sevastopol, Crimea. Participants included representatives from local nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, marine research institutions, water sport organizations and business.

FLEX alumna Tetyana Timofeenko from Simferopol says: “During the project, I learned a lot about dolphins and their habits and lifestyles. It was very useful to learn about how to help a dolphin in a critical situation. The lecture was very interesting with great information about Crimean beaches, and the ways in which they are preserved. The most exciting part of the project was being excited about whether we would see dolphins and actually getting to see them, so close and so many!”
Check out the video of the event!
For more information, check out the website that Svitlana has made for this project.

Dolphins noticed during the project

Sevastopol, Ukraine - Balaklava

A look back to Svitlana's  last year GYSD project