Among nature’s most devoted heroes throughout the Middle East and North Africa, the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) has released renders of a new bio boat that will be used to educate children about the Red Sea’s numerous (albeit largely threatened) bio marvels.
Funded in part by the U.S. Forest Service, which has created all kinds of low impact natural wonderlands in parks across the United States, the boat is slated for completion by summer this year.
“The objective of our Bio Boat program is to introduce different aspects of environmental conservation to students interactively and in a natural setting,” HEPCA recently announced on their Facebook page.
“We want to create an atmosphere where the student can become excited about conservation and gain a true appreciation for the bio-diversity of the Red Sea.”
Both wind and solar-powered, the bio boat will have a minuscule environmental impact since it will generate all of its own clean, renewable energy.
It will also be topped by a green roof that is not only useful for insulating the interior during hot summers, but is also expected to provide a mini-habitat for the many birds that travel through the Rift Valley/Red Sea flyway.
“On-board the vessel, students will be able to explore the microscopic world around them in a hands-on setting,” HEPCA notes, in a fun, engaging learning environment.
“Dedicated personal [sic] will provide lively and interactive lessons, aided by science equipment and the latest multi-media tools.”
Based in the Samadai Preserve, the bio boat will also act as a platform from which to observe dolphins – in a way that is not disruptive to their health. HEPCA has worked very hard with divers and other groups to protect Red Sea dolphins from thoughtless tourists and locals.
They have also swiftly reported all new oil spills that emerge in the region, though they very clearly operate in a manner that does not alienate local government officials.
“The US Forest Service is also supporting HEPCA with capacity building for the educators, in order to ensure a quality learning experience,” the group reported on Facebook.
“They have been a great support to us and are committed to our vision of empowerment through education and engendering a culture of environmental stewardship amongst the youth.”
While science education is notoriously low in parts of North Africa and the Middle East, Green Prophet has observed a noticeable growth in science-based educational and tourism initiatives.
Dayma, for example, leads children on “biomimicry” tours that get them thinking about human applications for adaptations in nature – such as the ability of camels to withstand harsh desert environments without a vast water supply.
While the renders depict a conceptual design that could change as construction proceeds, we can’t wait to see the real thing. Stay tuned this summer!
Via HEPCA Facebook
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
(continued–web problem, sorry) . . . In other words the concept is BIG and the planned initiative for the end result is small.
Although the boat itself is an impressive concept and beautiful, I must agree with Mr. Lehner above. Seems that the idea of teaching school-aged children by taking them out on a boat in this manner is more show than practicality. I can see a number of improvements to the educational idea just sitting here. The boat could be reproduced as a practical living mode to show how a small family (no more than 4) can enjoy a descent life on any water anywhere using renewable energy sources, food production and recycling. Make that happen and it would be truly educational.
A lovely initiative, and great idea! Happy to see an organisation in Egypt is actually thinking. However, HEPCA is the last organization I expected to incorporate a FISH TANK in the interior design! Mixed messages
This would be a great forum to introduce some of the clean drinking water processes like the little purification bottles and a desalination process to produce clean drinking water. Use technology and show the kids how they can improve their lives. Include some of the threats to the Red Sea environment to show them what is doing the damage. The boat by itself showing what is below it in the Red Sea doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. That kind of exhibit should be land based. Use the boat to focus on green technology and how it can improve the quality of life. My 2 cents, of course.