After the structured activities of spring, June saw the pupils’ efforts come to a head as they split into four groups to carry out their awareness campaign projects.

Each group used a different medium to highlight a different aspect of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere, showcasing their creativity and commitment to conservation.

Video on the pipistrelle bat

One group of pupils of the Ecole Internationale Gaston Thorn produced a captivating video about the pipistrelle bat, which was filmed in the Ellergronn Nature Reserve. The video emphasised the importance of preserving mine galleries as hibernation sites for bats and showcased their echolocation abilities and life cycle.

Podcast on the woodlark

Another group collaborated with Jan Herr, the coordinator of the Natura 2000 sites ‘Minetter Dagebaugebidder’, to create a podcast about the woodlark. With fewer than 40 nesting pairs in Luxembourg in 2024, the podcast emphasised the bird’s melodic singing and nesting habits, raising awareness of the protective measures needed at sites such as Lallengerbierg.

Posters on bats and orchids

The other two groups designed two informative posters: one focusing on the bats of the Minett Biosphere and detailing their colony behaviours; and another showcasing the region’s orchids and their ecological dependencies, including species such as the bee orchid.

 

These projects demonstrate the students’ understanding of biodiversity issues and their ability to communicate complex ideas through various media. Their work reaches various audiences, amplifying the message of conservation within and beyond their school community.

Detailed overview of the complete MiNELL project

Click on this link for full details of the collaboration between the Minett-UNESCO Biosphere and the Ecole Internationale Gaston Thorn.