EPAA had constructive interaction with the participants.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah honoured participants and families in the fifth edition of its ‘Together For a More Beautiful Summer’ programme.

The 11-day programme involved cooperating agencies and partners and was officially launched on the 18th of July. The participating students voiced their joy in the event, which encompassed numerous activities, including field visits, workshops, exploration tours, and various educational and awareness lectures, throughout multiple distinctive and scenic environmental sites.

The honouring ceremony, held at EPAA, celebrated the distinguished participants and cooperating parties and included speeches from a parent and participating students and a comprehensive video presentation about excursions and activities offered during the 11-day summer programme.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah said: "This year's programme was remarkable, and as a reflection of this year’s activities, we spent days full of constructive interaction with the participants, and travelled to several scenic localities that will surely remain engraved in the participant’s minds.

 The programme promotes creative thinking among the children.

Our goal every year with this summer programme is to contribute to the development of creative thinking among the participating students, garner a culture of biodiversity preservation, promote sustainable actions and behaviour, and provide youth with a stimulating educational environment to thrive.

Education formulates values, contributes to the development of skills and concepts, and provides students with tools and ideas that can be used to reduce or stop unsustainable practices.” Hana Saif Al Suwaidi added: “The success and excellence of the fifth edition of the programme, as with the previous editions, would not have been possible without the dedication and efforts of the authority and its various departments, as well as our strategic partners who always provide immeasurable value to our programmes and events.

We at EPAA extend our gratitude and thanks to all who participated and supported this event.” EPAA’s notable partners The Sharjah Police General Command, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority- Al Wousta TV, Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, Sharjah Art Foundation - Rain Room, and Al Dhaid Hospital participated in the programme.

The centres of the EPAA, also contributed to the programme, represented by the Natural History and Botanical Museum, the Arabia's Wildlife Centre, the Children's Farm, Islamic Botanical Garden, Al Dhaid Wildlife Centre, Seed Bank & Herbarium, Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre, and Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Centre.

The ‘Together For a More Beautiful Summer’ programme, since its first edition, has worked diligently to achieve a set of environmental and educational goals, the results of which are evident in children's and young people awareness, changed behaviour, and interactions during the programme.

EPAA receives feedback from participating families, who express their admiration for the authority's efforts with regard to its educational programs targeted at the youth population.

EPAA continues to encourage children and youth, fostering a heavy environmentally-conscious culture, and creating awareness of the importance and value of our surrounding environment, nature, ecosystems, and sustainability.