We are happy to share the latest news coming from Young Biologists Association NGO (YBA) from Yerevan, Armenia.

Biodiversity of the Year

 From 15 April to 22 May 2015, "The Young Biologists Association" NGO, in cooperation with the Chair of Zoology and Chair of Botany and Mycology of Yerevan State University, organised the public campaign "Biodiversity of the year 2015". The main aim of the campaign was to raise public awareness of the biodiversity and importance of nature conservation.

In different countries, environmental organisations and movements organise annual public voting for symbol of the year among, plants, animals, fungi etc. Via public voting, Sevan trout (Salmo ischchan) was chosen as Animal of the year, Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) for Fungi of the year, Pomegranate (Punica granatum) for Plant of the year and Dog lichen (Peltigera praetextata) for Lichen of the year. All voters had an opportunity to participate in the online competition. The winners of the competition were awarded with prizes. Voting results have been presented on May 22, 2015, which is International Day for Biological Diversity.

In the frame of the campaign, the youth photo contest was announced. Any plant, animal, fungus or lichen had to be captured. The pictures were posted on Facebook, and the winner was chosen by online public and jury voting. The results were announced on 22 of May 2015. Furthermore, the educational seminars were organised at "Ohanyan" educational complex, Yerevan Brusov State University of Language and Social Sciences and the European Regional Academy. During the seminars members of YBA NGO presented Armenian biodiversity.

"Biodiversity of the year 2015" is an environmental campaign organised in the frame of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 and supported by the Rufford Foundation.

Jump Armenia

The "Young Biologists Association" NGO joined the "Big Jump" international campaign which was organised by the "Jump Armenia" environmental campaign in Armenia. During the campaign, educational seminars on water resources were carried out. The environmental movie "Home" was screened at open air "Corn Pop Cinema" on World Environment Day (5 June 2015). This campaign was aimed to raise public awareness about water and natural resources' issues in Armenia, as well as to stimulate international collaboration between youth. Each team cooperated with a group from another country and jumped together at the same time. This year, our partner was "SUPER SALMONS" a group of young people from Latvia. On 7 of June, at the end of the campaign, over 30 participants jumped into Azat river.

In 2005 almost 250,000 people from 22 European countries jumped into their rivers and lakes to raise attention on water issues. The campaign was initiated by the international organisation "European Network of Rivers", after which every year in June there are organised annual events. Now over 50 teams from Germany, The Nederlands, France, Poland, Austria, The United Kingdom, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece and Portugal participate in this project.

The campaign in Armenia was supported by The Rufford Foundation.