On March 13th and 14th, 2025, students from the 1st and 3rd Primary Schools of Konitsa took paints and brushes and captured the beauty of the Aoos River and the rich life it hosts. The experiential educational activity “Mapping the Aoos River” was organized by MedINA, as part of the Ri-Connect project, bringing 75 children closer to nature through the power of artistic expression.
The activity began with an initial discussion about the Aoos River and its significance, both for the local community and the environment. The children were then asked to collaborate and paint the river and its ecosystems. The results were impressive! The young artists’ works depicted many species of fish, including the elusive European eel. The children showed particular interest in the Ichthyofauna Identification Guide, which they used in order to paint species of fish they were unaware existed in the Aoos River.
The works also featured the rich fauna of the area, with depictions of birds such as the Egyptian vulture, mammals (bears, wild boars, squirrels), reptiles, and amphibians, proving that the Aoos River is an important habitat for many species of organisms. Notably, the stone bridges, settlements, and the Monastery of Stomio, located within the Northern Pindus National Park, were among the first additions by the children to the river ecosystem. Through this process, the children expressed themselves creatively, developed their critical thinking, and acquired new knowledge, strengthening their connection to their local environment.
The educational journey concluded with the students presenting their creations to the other groups and sharing their thoughts and feelings, discovering how expression through art can serve as a bridge between experience and learning. Experiential education can bring the new generation closer to knowledge, nature, and its protection.
The project “Ri-Connect: Aoos river as a transboundary ecological corridor” is funded by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT).