The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) recently organized two workshops at Al Dhaid Wildlife Center, via Zoom, as part of the "My environment and from you, we learn" program. The first titled, Workshop of Birds of Prey (Falcons), targeting children of the 6 to 12 years age group, and the second, titled Workshop of Extraction of Moringa Peregrina Oil, targeted juveniles of the older 12-18 age group.

Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the EPAA, said: “We are keen to continue organizing and implementing our activities and programs under our strategy to preserve a clean environment and biodiversity with frankincense as part of this strategy. We will continue to contribute to raising the environmental awareness of all individuals and groups within society.

HE Hana Al Suwaidi added: “Falcons play an important role in the history of Arab people, especially in the UAE and the Arab Gulf states. Humans recognize this unique bird for its shape, type, platoon and characteristics, making it a symbol of strength, elevation, patience and courage. The UAE has adopted many initiatives to protect endangered falcons and allow them to reproduce and complete their life cycle.

Learn about falcons

The aim of organizing the birds of prey workshop was to identify information about falcons and to teach the participants to make medals by focusing on the image of a falcon. Participants drew the falcon shape on the print transparencies with the help of the falcon images below and then punched it to become a distinctive medal of their creations. They used several tools including an introductory board for falcons, pictures of falcons in small sizes, medals, punches, transparencies for printing and colours for painting on transparency. After the birds of prey workshop ended, the children interacted with "Think and Play with Us" for an hour, which was the game of searching for similar pictures.

 A bridge for communication between the world's civilizations

The second workshop aimed to introduce visitors to the Moringa Peregrina plant, which is a local plant with many benefits. Participants discovered how to extract oil and benefit from it, as the Moringa Peregrina tree, which is called locally (Al Shuaa- Moringaperegrina), has an ancient history, which made it a bridge for communication between world civilizations since ancient times. It has countless benefits, advantages, and many uses in the manufacture of medicines, oils, powders, perfumes, and folk remedies. Extracting oil is an easy and fun way to begin learning about the benefits of this plant.

 Participants were introduced to the Moringa Peregrina plant oil squeezing machine and were given a demonstration showing the seeds being placed, and then the juicer squeezing the seeds and extracting pure oil in a specific place and sorting the seed husks in another place. Several tools were used in the workshop such as Seed squeezing machine, Moringa Peregrinaseeds and oil boxes.

 As the competent Environment and Protected Areas Authority  in Sharjah seeks to protect the environment, natural reserves, wildlife and their biodiversity, by conducting scientific studies and research and laying down the legal and administrative foundations for pollution control, in addition to education. The EPAA publishes educational awareness material, implements setting appropriate policies for environmental awareness and programs and launches specialized campaigns in the field of environmental awareness and education.  It supports the principle of sustainable development to preserve natural environmental resources and ensures their exploitation for the benefit of the new generation without wasting the right of future generations, in addition to its endeavor to be the main source and reference in Sharjah.