The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) organised the fourth edition of ‘Summer Is Better Together’, a five-day programme launched at Desert Park on July 7th. The programme includes interactive workshops, lectures, recreational and awareness-raising activities, and field visits to places including the Rain Room and Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.

The programme was organised by several government organisations including Sharjah Police’s General Command, Sharjah Museums Authority (Sharjah Science Museum and Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization), Sharjah Art Foundation (the Rain Room), Sharjah Natural History & Botanical Museum, EPAA’s Inspection Department, Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre, Kalba Bird of Prey Centre in the Eastern Region, and Sharjah Cat & Dog Shelter.

HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, said, “For four years, we have been keen to organise this summer programme, which is of great benefit to students. Every year, the students are enthusiastic about taking part in the programme, which fills their free time with useful activities and promotes environmental awareness. We have completed all the arrangements.”

Mrs Al Suwaidi explained that the programme is designed for male students between 12 and 16 years of age. It promotes creative thinking, group and team work and provides an inspiring learning environment.

Activities include field visits to EPAA’s headquarters on July 7^th, to Sharjah Cat & Dog Shelter and Sharjah Science Museum on July 8^th and 9^th respectively, to Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre and to Kalba Bird of Prey Centre in the Eastern Region. In addition to workshops and lectures, EPAA has also organised visits to Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and the Rain Room at Sharjah Art Foundation.

EPAA pays attention to environmental efforts and awareness-raising activities that help to develop the students’ abilities and talents; the summer programme was designed to encourage students to spend their time on beneficial activities. The programme will conclude with a closing ceremony to honour the participants and organisers at the EPAA’s headquarters in Sharjah.

All EPAA’s activities, programmes and events are in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The emphasis is on the importance and necessity of protecting the environment, wildlife and biodiversity through scientific research and by developing policies that raise awareness and support sustainable development. EPAA works to conserve environmental resources to ensure that they are used for the benefit of the present generation without sacrificing the rights of future generations. In addition, EPAA seeks to be the main resource and reference in Sharjah for information about the environment and wildlife. EPAA also collaborates on environmental affairs with public sector organisations at the scientific and practical levels. The Authority also encourages members of society to get involved in this noble goal in order to enhance awareness and disseminate information about the environment.