From March 23 to 26, 2025, the team of the National Ecological Center of Ukraine, together with students, embarked on a four-day educational tour of the protected areas of the Ukrainian Carpathians.
It was not just a tour, but an intensive learning journey on wheels — a mix of research, experience exchange, dialogue with nature conservation institutions, and a real heritage interpretation school in action.
The tour was part of the international project “Shifting towards Ecotourism in Protected Areas through Heritage Interpretation” implemented by NECU in cooperation with partners from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, with support from the International Visegrad Fund.
Over four days, the project team visited four national nature parks, delivered a series of guest presentations, lectures, and workshops with an expert from the Czech Institute of Heritage Interpretation, met with park staff, walked along eco-educational trails, and discovered the richness of local culture.
Day 1 — “Hutsulshchyna” National Nature Park (Kosiv)
The March tour began in the town of Kosiv, at the “Hutsulshchyna” National Nature Park.
After a welcome speech by park director Yurii Stefuriak and a project presentation by Mykola Blyzniuk, deputy head of NECU, the participants learned about the park’s conservation, scientific, and tourist activities.
The first lecture was delivered by Michal Medek, director of the Czech Institute of Heritage Interpretation, who spoke about the role of heritage in shaping sustainable tourism and educational programs.
The day ended at the “Hutsulyk” horse farm with an introduction to the Hutsul horse breed, a walk along the eco-trail, and a visit to Saint Nicholas’ Estate — a place where nature, fairy tales, and traditions unite into one.
Day 2 — “Verkhovynskyi” National Nature Park (Verkhovyna)
On the second day, participants visited the Verkhovynskyi NNP, where Head of the Scientific Department Yaroslav Zelenchuk presented the park’s conservation work.
Michal Medek continued the educational block by introducing the TORE model of quality interpretation: T — Theme, O — Organization, R — Relevance, E — Enjoyment.
He demonstrated, through examples, how to make eco-educational content meaningful and engaging.
In the afternoon, the group visited the park’s visitor center in the village of Iltsi, walked to the “hanging bog,” and had a private tour of the Hutsul Antiquities Museum.
Day 3 — “Vyzhnytskyi” National Nature Park (Berehomet)
March 25 — a rainy, yet rich-in-impressions day.
In the Vyzhnytskyi National Nature Park, the team was welcomed by director Halyna Marchuk. Vitalii Stratii and Zina Riznichenko shared insights into the park’s scientific projects and territorial features.
Due to weather conditions, the team had a virtual tour of the “Four Seasons” exhibit instead of an outdoor walk, followed by an interpretation session.
Michal Medek talked about interpretive media — how to use displays, video, signage, and symbols to deeply connect with visitors. A highlight was a fairy tale created by children based on the legend of Mount Stizhok.
Day 4 — Carpathian National Nature Park (Yaremche)
The final day took place at one of Ukraine’s most renowned conservation centers — the Carpathian National Nature Park.
Following opening remarks from Mykola Blyzniuk, Oleksandr Kyseliuk presented the park’s scientific activities, and Maryana Pozdnyakova shared successful examples of small grants in the recreational sphere.
Michal Medek concluded the lecture series with the topic of multimedia heritage interpretation — how to tell stories that remain in the heart.
The day ended with a guided tour of the park’s eco-educational center, led by department head Ulyana Abramiuk.
A heartfelt thank you to each park for your hospitality, openness, and collaboration!
“Hutsulshchyna,” “Verkhovynskyi,” “Vyzhnytskyi,” and Carpathian NNP — you are truly inspiring!
The March tour has ended, but the work on ecotourism development through heritage interpretation continues.
Coming up — the Spring Session of the Carpathian School, which will take place from May 1 to 4, 2025, in Yaremche.
We invite everyone working in the fields of nature conservation, environmental education, sustainable tourism, and heritage to participate.
The deadline for submitting abstracts has been extended to April 15.
Details: https://necu.org.ua/registration-for-the-spring-session-of-the-international-carpathian-school-2025-is-now-open/
Photo rapport of the tour: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16SRokF2gI1ayU8Rb51ii10H4IPEMZYHO/view?usp=sharing
The project is co-financed by the Governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad Grants from International Visegrad Fund.
The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.