"Empowering Local Youth: 'Community Ranger' Initiative Launched in Adjara Region Protected Areas and Javakheti National Park to Promote Participatory Conservation and Environmental Awareness"

Within the framework of the project, the "Community Rangers" of Kintrishi, Machakhela, and Mtirala National Parks had an introductory meeting in the Javakheti Protected Areas. The event participants, along with Javakheti National Park Administration rangers, cleaned the region around Khanchali Lake and visited Bugdasheni and Kartsakhi Lakes, as well as Gorelovka Village. An informative tour about common birds and their monitoring methods was held at Kartsakhi Lake.

During the meeting, the "Community Rangers" had a fruitful meeting with students from the Akhalkalaki branch of Samtskhe-Javakheti University. The main goal was to provide useful insights and expertise about the project and the different activities that it had successfully implemented.

The executive director of the Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF) Tobias Muenchmeyer and Tamar Pataridze, the project manager, were in the Javakheti Protected Areas with the "Community Rangers" and participated in the cleaning action.

It should be noted that within the framework of the "Community Ranger" project, 18 participants - Community Rangers - were selected. The participants were trained on the topics of monitoring protected areas, biodiversity, and the use of modern technologies in monitoring. The practical part, in active cooperation with the National Park Rangers, includes direct involvement in monitoring activities.