The agenda of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA) for the current summer vacation season is packed with a rich array of exciting events and activities aimed at young students of both genders across various areas of the Emirate of Sharjah. In collaboration with several government entities, the EPAA is organizing 6 main programs during July and August. These activities are characterized by diversity and innovation, focusing on environmental concepts and sparking a spirit of knowledge competition among participants.

Enhancing Environmental Awareness Among the Youth

In this context, Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, emphasized the importance of organizing beneficial summer activities that enhance environmental awareness and sustainability concepts among young people. These activities aim to develop a spirit of constructive competition and teamwork, enrich their knowledge and ideas on environmental and tourist guidance principles, and introduce them to the unique natural landmarks and environmental attractions of Sharjah.

Effective Summer Incubators

Her Excellency Hana Al Suwaidi pointed out that the EPAA’s exploration and learning centres have become effective summer incubators, attracting children of various ages. These centres benefit the youth, develop their personalities and diverse skills, instill positive values towards the environment and society, and cultivate a culture of national belonging by fostering behaviors that protect and preserve the integrity of natural environments and their components.

Diverse Activities Meet Objectives

She noted that the EPAA ensured the inclusion of diversity and distribution in these summer programs and activities to attract the largest possible number of participants. Four main events were allocated in the city of Sharjah: “Environmental Heroes”, “Arabian Peninsula Explorer,” “Fun and Knowledge,” and “Summer at the Farm”. The central region hosted the program “Our Summer at Jebel Buhais,” while the eastern region featured the fifth edition of the program “EnvironmentalForum”.

Appreciated Support

The Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah expressed her profound appreciation to the group of partners and supporters of the EPAA’s summer season from various government entities. She acknowledged their provision of cooperation, exchange of expertise, and dedication of necessary capabilities and resources to deliver the best events and activities that benefit the participants positively. She also thanked all the teams overseeing the organization of these events for their dedication to achieving the highest levels of desired benefit.

Environmental Heroes

Participants in Sharjah will engage in an exciting competition through the annual summer program “Environmental Heroes,” which started on Monday, July 15, and will continue until the 25th of the same month. This year’s edition focuses on instilling the concepts of teamwork and achievement with a team spirit. It aims to familiarize participants with the environmental landmarks, the content of the EPAA’s learning centres, what distinguishes each one, and the various environmental activities. Several government entities participated in the program, including the Sharjah Police General Command, the Prevention and Safety Authority, the Sharjah Civil Defense Authority, the Emirates Photography Society, the Sharjah Aquarium under the Sharjah Museums Authority, the Social Services Department, and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

The program will include tours, workshops, and lectures featuring questions and motivational competitions to encourage participants to challenge and compete among the participating groups for the title of Environmental Heroes. An environmental, cultural, and educational group from the EPAA’s learning centres, including the Sharjah Natural History and Botanical Museum, the Arabia’s Wildlife Centre, the Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre, the Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre, the Wasit Wetland Centre, and the Buhais Geology Park, will take part in the program.

Arabian Peninsula Explorer

Moreover, the Arabia’s Wildlife Centre in Sharjah, under the EPAA, presents its summer program “Arabian Peninsula Explorer.” This program focuses on educating participants about sustainability principles and introducing them to the basics of guidance. It includes guiding participants through the center’s sections and stimulating their creative skills and innovative capabilities through various educational workshops.

Fun and Knowledge

The Islamic Botanical Garden in Sharjah plans to offer the “Fun and Knowledge” program, which includes a variety of workshops and physical and mental competitions. These include the Aloe Vera and Arabic Gum Workshop, the “Grape Cluster” competition, plant matching activities, and other activities aimed at developing participants’ skills and familiarizing them with the benefits of plants mentioned in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

Summer at the Farm

The “Summer at the Farm” event offers an ideal time for children during the summer to enjoy a fun and educational experience. Children will have the opportunity to learn about farm animals through educational and entertaining workshops and exciting games.

Our Summer in Jebel Buhais

The Buhais Geology Park in the central region launched the “Our Summer in Jebel Buhais” program. This program includes a series of summer activities and events for students focusing on the environment of the central region. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about fossils, how they form over time, and the geological nature of the area.

Environmental Forum

In the eastern region, the Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre in Kalba City organized the fifth edition of the “Environmental Forum” for the age group of 10-15 years. Through this program, participants learned the basics of guidance, different methods of application, how to effectively guide visitors and tourists innovatively and beneficially, and gained knowledge about the animals in the centre and their natural surroundings. The program included a range of educational tours, knowledge workshops, and interactive educational games related to the mountain environment. These activities help increase community awareness and connect generations to the centre’s mission of preserving ecological and biological diversity, carrying out ongoing conservation initiatives for natural life, encouraging the breeding of endangered mountain species, and highlighting the centre’s significant educational role as a preferred educational destination for environmental conservation.