2nd Citizen Science Camp

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

23-26th of May 2024
hypha_etc camp, Câmpu Cetăţii, Mureş County, Romania

organised by hypha_etc [education, theory, culture], NECC (Nature Education Community Center) and Milvus Group

Application deadline: 19.04.2024

The 2nd Citizen Science Camp draws attention to projects on biodiversity conservation by focusing on learning species, as being more confident in species identification supports active participation in citizen science projects. The camp will offer accessible theoretical knowledge combined with practical field activities for all participants. In the opening discussion, our international invitee will address the challenges of building an active nature-loving community. During the workshops on Friday and Saturday, specialists from Romania will engage participants in data collection for local ecological monitoring projects and facilitate community learning.

Accommodation and facilities:
We offer accommodation in 4-6 bedded rooms featuring a private bathroom and a kitchen corner for up to 30 participants. The apartments' design, having large windows on two sides, creates a sense of spaciousness, allows natural light to flood in, and facilitates ventilation. For temperature control, the apartments are equipped with thermostats for their floor heating system. Due to their asymmetrical shape, lighting, and high ceiling, the apartments are well-suited for hosting 4-6 individuals. The accommodation is conveniently located just a few steps away from the community space, characterised by an irregular shape and visible wood structure with glass walls from floor to ceiling. The community space includes a workshop space/lecture hall, dining hall, and library corner. Beyond the camp building lies a biological pond and a beech forest, which will host some of the activities, but during the workshops we will explore the surrounding natural areas too.

Participation:
The camp is open to all individuals aged 18 and above, regardless of their professional background. The language of the event is English, so a basic level of English proficiency is required. However, upon participants' request, explanations will be provided in Romanian and Hungarian.

The participation fee for this program is 100 EUR / 500 RON covering the accommodation for 3 nights, 3 meals/day (including dinner on arrival day & lunch on departure day), and participation in the workshops and educational activities.

Scholarships will be offered to cover 60% of the participation fee. Please note that it will be provided to a maximum number of 4 participants. In case of application, please upload a motivational letter in the application form.

Those wishing to participate should complete the application form until 19.04.2024: https://forms.gle/NmyBYXjJH9dnAr817
Confirmation emails will be sent until 23.04.2024.

After receiving the confirmation email you can secure your place by transferring 40% of the participation fee (40 EUR / 200 RON) to the bank account provided by the organisers until 26.04.2024.

After this date, in case of withdrawal, the already transferred amount will be used to cover the participation of scholarship applicants and cannot be refunded. The remaining 60% should be transferred to the same account by 20.05.2024.

Invitees:
Daisy Meadowcroft, colleague of Dorset Wildlife Trust
Anna Szabó & Dorottya Sándor, botanists and plant ecologists
Iulia Muntean, conservation biologist, lepidopterist
Tibor Sos, wildlife biologist, herpetologist
Kis Réka, ornithologist, colleague of Milvus Group

Camp schedule:

Thursday, 23rd of May
15:00-16:00 - Arrival
16:30-19:30 - Opening discussion and workshop
19:30 - Dinner

Friday, 24th of May
8:30-9:30 - Breakfast
10:00-13:00 - 1st workshop on species knowledge
14:00-15:00 - Lunch
16:00-19:00 - 2nd workshop on species knowledge
19:30 - Dinner

Saturday, 25th of May
8:30-9:30 - Breakfast
10:00-13:00 - 3rd workshop on species knowledge
14:00-15:00 - Lunch
16:00-19:00 - 4th workshop on species knowledge
19:30 - Dinner

Sunday, 26th of May
8:30-9:30 - Breakfast
10:00-13:00 - Closing discussion
13:00-14:00 - Lunch, farewell

The event is part of hypha_etc's [education, theory, culture] 2024 Citizen Science program series, run in partnership with NECC (Nature Education Community Center) and Milvus Group. The series of events aims to promote citizen science on nature conservation and biodiversity at a regional level. We support the development of local practices that in the long term will contribute to an active, science-loving Transylvanian community engaged in ecological issues.

hypha_etc [education, theory, culture] is an experimental cultural institute in Câmpu Cetăţii, Mureş county. We develop new models of learning and cooperation with diverse groups of people such as artists, scientific researchers, and educators who value reflection on society and the natural environment.

NECC (Nature Education Community Center) was founded in November 2017 as an initiative of the students of the Faculty of Biology and Geology of the Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca and professor Kunigunda Macalik, who runs the interactive playhouse "Wonders of a Thousand Faces of Nature". The initiative aims to raise awareness and popularise science through nature education activities, where “learning by doing” plays an essential role.

Milvus Group is committed to safeguarding our natural heritage. We carry out applied research and conservation work for endangered species, raise awareness and educate people, monitor compliance with nature conservation regulations, and engage in influencing environmental policies.