Main Aims
Click Here for School Links Programme information in Mongolian
Artificial Nest Project – School Links Programme
The Mongolian Artificial Nest Project was initiated in 2009 following a 4-year year trial period when researchers studied the occupancy levels, breeding success and survival rates of Saker Falcons breeding at artificial nests in two experimental study areas. In total, 5250 artificial nests have been erected in selected areas of the Mongolian steppe, and from 2011-15 biologists will monitor the breeding and survival data of Saker Falcons in these nests with the aim of setting harvest quotas for the Mongolian Saker Falcon trade, based on demographic population models.
Mongolia is currently the only country to engage in a CITES regulated harvest and trade in Saker Falcons. International Wildlife Consultants (IWC), on behalf of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, are working with the Mongolian government to develop a sustainable Saker Falcon trade which will benefit Saker Falcon conservation, local communities in Mongolia and the cultural heritage of falconry in the Middle East.
1. For schools in 20 districts of Mongolia to benefit from the Artificial Nest Project via funding raised by partner schools in other countries
2. For children from Mongolia, Abu Dhabi(UAE) and United Kingdom(other countries) to exchange knowledge, culture and language using a falcon conservation project as a means of introduction.
3. To learn about the Mongolian artificial nest project and its benefits for conservation.
4. To learn about falconry
5. For all children living in an area where artificial nests are erected to understand the benefits of artificial nests to conservation and communities.
Public Awareness & School Links
Following the deliberate removal of 718 artificial nests after they were erected (14%) it was clear that project staff had to redouble their efforts to increase awareness of the project among locals, and to ensure that the Artificial Nest project provided some direct community benefit. Consequently, project staff visited each of the 20 districts where we had erected artificial nest and gave a presentation on the project to local people, the meetings were well attended and feedback was positive. It's important for the longevity of the project that the next generation of Mongolians understand the aims of the project. The School Links Programme will provide teachers with educational resources which explain why artificial nests have been erected for Saker Falcons on the Mongolian steppe.
Students from Bayan district school, Tov province, Mongolia, travelled with project staff to the artificial nests in their district during the 2011 fieldwork season. During this field trip students learnt about how artificial nests could potentially improve grasslands by using birds of prey as a biological control of rodent pest species.
Educational resources have been prepared on the following topics
· Falcons and Falconry
· Falconry in Mongolia
· Falconry in the United Arab Emirates
· Falcon Conservation
· Mongolian Artificial Nest Project
Resources consist of example lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, notes for teachers and student worksheets. The content is aimed at 9-14 yr old students; however, they can be modified to suit appropriate ability and delivery of the lesson, to an individual, group or whole class. All resources will be available in Mongolian, Arabic and English in the future and available online at http://www.mefrg.org/
Link School Expectations
Schools that sign up for the School Links Programme will be asked to complete some or all of the educational resources provided as shared knowledge will give each school a starting point for communication. Through the School Links Programme, students, teachers and parents can widen their knowledge of falconry culture and heritage and learn how people live in other parts of the world. Participating schools will be asked to provide a student-written presentation titled ‘my life', a 250 word document or 3 minute PowerPoint presentation. All presentations will be translated into Arabic, English and Mongolian and sent to link schools. A Facebook site will be set up and administered by the IWC Project Manager, which will facilitate communication between schools and students. Individual students will not be granted access to the Facebook site with students only posting comments in the presence of teachers.
Each school will be supported by the IWC Project Manager for one year. It is hoped that schools will continue to exchange ideas, resources and knowledge long after the initial support is given. School twinning can enhance the school curriculum and build long-term relationships between children and adults in the partner communities.
In 2012, Bayan School, Mongolia will link with a school in the UK and Abu Dhabi. The Artificial Nest Project has nests erected in 20 local districts. During the next four years we aim to provide the means for each district school to twin with an international school partner.
