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Description
The project is aimed at increasing public interest in the quality of the aquatic environment. The issue will be presented on the model of bioindicators, which has long been dealt with by a team of experts from the Beleco organization. The results of research activities from recent years will be interpreted. The main selected indicators of the quality of water systems are freshwater pearl mussels and bullhead. Species from clean watercourses with their specific requirements, which predestined them for the role of bioindicators.
Why bioindicators?
- The word bioindicator has probably been heard by everyone at school, but general awareness of them is low.
- They are more acceptable to the public than chemical formulas.
- The topic of water quality and evaluation by bioindications can be made accessible by selecting attractive species.
Main goal: To ensure public awareness, increase awareness of the possibility of using bioindicators to determine the quality of the aquatic environment. The project will present species protected and endangered by law in the role of indicators of endangered ecosystems.
Summary of project results
We''ve centered our project around the quality of the aquatic environment, using aquatic bioindicators to communicate this to the public. These species, like the pearl mussel, crayfish, and others, reveal the health of our waters in a way that’s more relatable than chemical analyses. They show us how human activities are connected to water resources. Our efforts focus on researching, conserving, and interpreting these model species. We''ve built our communication on a solid professional foundation, aiming to reach both experts and the general public.
We divided the project’s outputs based on our target groups. For professionals, we provided lectures, workshops, and materials they can use in their own educational efforts. For the general public, we launched a media campaign featuring a documentary series on Czech Television, published articles, and created original content for websites and social media.
The main outputs of our project are three episodes of the V proudu (In the Stream) series for Czech Television and the publication S bioindikátory v akci (With Bioindicators in Action). These were completed only at the project’s end, so their full impact is still unfolding. Czech Television is planning a promotional campaign for the series, which will significantly expand its reach.
Producing a complete documentary with Czech Television—and especially securing this collaboration—was a complex, time-intensive process that typically requires long-term planning. Given these demands, our project period proved a bit short. Similarly, developing a publication rich with original illustrations required the expertise of a professional artist, adding to the time investment.
We anticipate that the series’ full impact and audience reach will become clearer within six months to a year post-release, largely influenced by Czech Television’s promotional efforts. We selected Czech Television for its high credibility, quality assurance, and broad audience reach. Beyond the project’s timeline, Beleco will continue to support the campaign during the official CT promotion phase, further amplifying the reach.
Our goal of connecting the public with the environment was present in every project activity and output. The V proudu series is presented in a casual, YouTube-inspired style while maintaining the quality of TV documentaries. We chose the host and author with intent, drawing on their work in the Into the Wild series. The series aims to resonate especially with younger audiences, including school-aged and even pre-school children, and is accessible on i-broadcast, ensuring a lasting impact.
The accompanying publication introduces bioindicators as models, inviting readers to engage in self-led discovery. It targets school-aged readers who aren’t just passive recipients but can use it actively for outdoor research, making it valuable for educators and environmental program facilitators as well. Beyond the thousands of physical copies, a PDF version is available for download on Beleco’s website, ensuring accessibility well beyond the initial distribution.
In addition, we published articles for popular science magazines targeting adults, as well as a piece in Hello Wilderness for children. The project also made an impact through hands-on activities, including lectures and workshops with live animal demonstrations. At each event, we displayed the project banner, which also appears at a related exhibition (University of Ostrava, Rago).
The project reached the audience numbers we set out to engage during the project timeline, with views and interactions expected to grow through ongoing media exposure.
Summary of bilateral results
We cooperated mainly on english versions of project outputs. In addition we''ve extended the project outreach in Norway.