Community Members invited to contribute to Research and Conservation at Fujairah’s Wadi Wurayah National Park

United Arab Emirates, 23rd October 2024: Fujairah Environment Authority (FEA) and Emirates Nature-WWF invite youth, students and the wider community from Fujairah and other emirates to participate in scientific research and conservation – immersing themselves in nature to protect it. The longstanding partnership between the government authority and the environmental charity provides the public and members of Emirates Nature-WWF’s Leaders of Change community the special opportunity to contribute to conservation within Wadi Wurayah National Park, the UAE’s first protected mountain area which is recognized internationally as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and RAMSAR site for wetlands.

Leaders of Change represents the UAE’s biggest civil society movement for nature, bringing together over 5,000 changemakers – families, organizations, decision-makers and future leaders – to drive meaningful impact. Every year, Leaders of Change organizes 150+ events and activities, featuring expert-led training, ideation sessions, and conservation field trips that contribute to UAE’s sustainability and environmental goals.

In Wadi Wurayah, students and community members will discover the diversity and astonishing resilience of biodiversity that has adapted to thrive in the rocky mountainous environment. Many of these species are vulnerable to growing threats of climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and water scarcity, emphasizing the importance of science-based conservation and sustainable management within the national park.

As ‘citizen scientists,’ participants will record observations and collect valuable data on the park’s terrestrial and aquatic species, including elusive and nocturnal wildlife, as well the state of freshwater ecosystems and natural habitats. Data gathered will support scientific research and inform environmental policies, conservation strategies and the management of protected areas.

The involvement of the community in scientific research, known as citizen science, has made significant contributions to fields such as astronomy, medicine and social sciences, and is particularly relevant and useful in the field of environmental sciences. FEA and Emirates Nature-WWF have leveraged citizen science in the past through the groundbreaking Water Research and Learning Programme and biodiversity surveys that assess the state of key habitats and flagship species in Wadi Wurayah, to inform conservation strategies and management of the national park. These surveys are crucial for understanding population trends of various species and have even led to new discoveries, such as that of Urothemis thomasi — a dragonfly that was previously thought to be extinct and recorded for the first time in the UAE.

Beyond advancing research and conservation, citizen science offers positive benefits for participants – enriching their appreciation for nature and cultivating pro-environmental attitudes, new skills and knowledge.

H.E. Aseela Al Moala, Director of Fujairah Environment Authority commented: “We are delighted to expand our longstanding partnership with Emirates Nature-WWF and provide the community in Fujairah and beyond with meaningful opportunities to discover and protect our rich natural heritage. To safeguard these species for future generations, we must learn to prioritize nature and foster an environmentally conscious society – one that is knowledgeable about our unique biodiversity and committed to its preservation.”

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF commented: “We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Fujairah Environment Authority and pave the path for greater conservation success. Collecting information about wildlife and their habitats, and monitoring these trends - this is a huge task and there are only so many environmental scientists. Through citizen science, UAE youth and the larger community can play an instrumental role in safeguarding our incredible biodiversity and ecosystems.”

Students and members of the public can explore citizen science opportunities in Wadi Wurayah National Park and sign up for the Leaders of Change programme at https://www.leadersofchange.ae/