The Iagorlik Nature Reserve is located at the confluence of the river of the same name (left-bank tributary) with the Dniester River. Although the nature here looks untouched, it has also been negatively affected by human activities. Among others, the manipulation at large hydropower plants in Ukraine is changing the regime of water-level fluctuations in the Dniester, causing the loss of nesting opportunities for waterbirds and spawning grounds for fish populations.
The reserve staff are trying to compensate for this decline by making artificial nests for birds and grounds for fish. Our local partners saw this as an opportunity to involve pupils and students from local schools, who not only made the nests but also could visit their installation sites and were given a lecture on their purpose and the species they are helping. Arnika decided to support this activity by providing funds for the purchase of necessary materials.
A total of about 20-25 students made 20 bird nests last year, which are already helping to maintain population levels of rare and protected species in the wild.
