World Biodiversity Day was Celebrated with Enthusiasm at Gölhisar Lake

World Biodiversity Day activities, organized in cooperation with Denizli Kirazlıyayla Middle School, Nature Conservation National Parks Gölhisar Directorate and Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) Gölhisar Vocational School Forestry Department, were celebrated at Gölhisar Lake. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özdemir Şentürk, Head of the Gölhisar Vocational School Forestry Department, who made the opening speech of the event, gave information about the importance of the concept of biological diversity and Turkey's place in the world in terms of biological diversity. Şentürk emphasized that biological diversity is of vital importance for the sustainability of ecosystems. Ramazan Emrah Erkan, the Chief of Nature Conservation National Parks Gölhisar, shared detailed information about the bird species living in and around Gölhisar Lake. Erkan pointed out how important it is to protect the bird species in the region in terms of ecological balance.

5th grade students of Denizli Kirazlıyayla Middle School, who participated in the activities, observed birds at Gölhisar Lake using binoculars and telescopes. The students had the opportunity to observe and recognize different bird species in the lake. In addition, birds in the lake were watched and photographed with the help of a drone. In this way, students experienced how technology can be used in nature observation. 

Denizli Kirazlıyayla Middle School Science Teacher Ayca Aymila Atak stated that reinforcing the theoretical information given in the classroom on biological diversity and fauna with such applications is very valuable for the students.

Another notable part of the event was the virtual reality (VR) experience. Students, accompanied by Conservation Officers Mehmet Kutlu and Abdullah Elçin, experienced the excitement of virtual zipline in Köprülü Canyon National Park using VR glasses. 

In the second part of the event, the participants visited the ancient city of Kibyra located in Gölhisar district. Seyhan Akgül Özaslan, a lecturer in the Department of Architectural Restoration who is part of the Kibyra excavation team led by Prof. Dr. Şükrü Özüdoğru within the body of Burdur Mehmet Akif ERSOY University, visited areas such as Odeion, Agora and the round fountain structure with the students and gave information about the usage phases and functions of the ancient city and buildings.

The activities organized within the scope of this meaningful day greatly contributed to the development of awareness of nature and biological diversity, as well as the development of nature conservation awareness. At the end of the activities, Science Teacher Ayca Aymila Atak and 5th grade students expressed their wish for such activities to be organized frequently.