We are all depend on nature, it is the source of our basic needs – air, water, food, energy, raw materials. Nature, or its ecosystems and species diversity enable us to live, provides health and social benefits and drive our economy.
However, throughout the world and in Europe, we have been destroying our natural wealth for a long time, and in the last few decades at an unprecedented rate. Ecosystems and the services they provide are significantly affected by urban sprawl, intensive agriculture, pollution, the spread of invasive species and climate change.
The prediction for Europe is dire – almost a quarter of wild species are threatened with extinction (source: European Commission). The EU Strategy and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030) aim to halt the dramatic loss of biodiversity and restore damaged ecosystems. It is not just to wild nature, but also to cities, where we can support biodiversity as well.
Did you know that Prague has the Climate Plan for the Capital City of Prague until 2030 and did you know that CZU has its own Sustainability Strategy 2030, in which the support of biodiversity is one of the main goals?
As part of CZU's involvement in the centralized development program University Leaders in SDG (CRP UNILEAD) and the International Biodiversity Day (May 22), we decided to organize guided walks for the biodiversity in the CZU campus. Our experts will guide you through the walks.
What awaits you on your walks?
- getting to know about the species you can find on campus (native, non-native, invasive)
- you will find out what you can do for biodiversity yourself, e.g. in your own garden, and what not to do in order not to harm in good faith or out of ignorance
- you will have the opportunity to ask questions (and if the guide knows, you will get answers)
- you will be able to get involved by collecting data for the ICA BioBlitz 2023 (the international university competition ICA Biodiversity Challenge), which will be launched on May 22, 2023 and will run until June 30, 2023
Due to the limited number of participants on the walk, it is necessary to register for the walks – registration. The maximum number of participants on one walk is 25 people.
Walks are thematically divided:
May 9, at 10:00 a.m. | Botanical walk
with Ing. Vedula Ludvíková, Ph.D.
- what grows here, what blooms here
- management (method of maintenance) of greenery
- support of biodiversity
- the issue of invasive species
- synergistic bonds
May 12, at 8:00 a.m. | Ornithological walk with a demonstration of bird ringing
with Ing. Tereza Švejcarová
- which birds you can see/hear on the CZU campus
- colonies of Common House Martin and the advantages/disadvantages of living with them
- support of nesting
- to feed or not to feed
- support of biodiversity and synergistic links
- support vs. ecological trap example of ringing
May 17, at 9:30 a.m. | Zoological walk with practical demonstrations
with Mgr. Filip Harabiš, Ph.D.
- what lives here (invertebrates and vertebrates, including aquatic organisms)
- invasive species
- protection of species
- synergistic bonds
- support of biodiversity
May 23, at 9:30 a.m. | Dendrological walk (trees and shrubs)
with Ing. Vladimír Janeček, Ph.D.
- what grows here, what blooms here
- urban tree care and maintenance method
- support of biodiversity
- synergistic bonds
- trees and climate change