Mediterranean Conservation Society (MCS) conducted a Trainer Training for Blue Skills for teachers in Ortaca. The training was provided to teachers from various disciplines from 27 schools in Ortaca as part of the "Protection and Transmission of Natural and Cultural Heritage to Future Generations" protocol signed between MCS and the Muğla Provincial Directorate of National Education within the scope of the Blue Green Schools project, and the Mediterranean Monk Seal Monitoring and Awareness Project of MCS under the TUI Care Foundation and Sea The Change Türkiye program.
Coordinated by the Ortaca District Directorate of National Education, the training took place at the conference hall of Ortaca İmam Hatip Anatolian High School. In the training prepared by the Mediterranean Conservation Society Education Coordinator Funda Bayraktar, methods for explaining nature conservation efforts to teachers from different disciplines were conveyed. Examples were provided on the importance of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and seagrasses, what needs to be done for their protection, and how these can be increased among students within the scope of the Mediterranean Monk Seal Monitoring and Awareness Project under the TUI Care Foundation and Sea The Change Türkiye program. At the end of the training, participation certificates were given along with the content and resources prepared by the AKD.
Within the scope of the 'TUI Sea The Change Türkiye' project implemented in collaboration with the TUI Care Foundation, Mediterranean Conservation Society began to carry out scientific and awareness-raising activities for the protection of the Mediterranean monk seal and its habitats on the southwestern coasts of Turkey in 2023. In the activities that will continue until 2025, the Mediterranean Conservation Society will conduct monitoring and protection studies for the Mediterranean monk seal and its habitats. In this context, awareness-raising activities are being carried out for local people, domestic and foreign tourists, and businesses on the southwestern coasts of Turkey, where tourism is intense. Working together with tour boats and hotels in the region, information is provided on what needs to be done for the protection of species and habitats living in the Mediterranean Basin, such as the Mediterranean monk seal and seagrasses, to children and adults. Within this scope, it is aimed to reach a total of 600 children with educational materials such as specially developed animations and card games, and for children to learn about the species in a fun way. The Society, which reached 401 children with seminars and trainings held in Ortaca at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, will continue to provide education for children in hotels during the summer months.