MobelScience

From monitoring to policy: everyone can contribute

As part of an innovative educational project, Hasselt University, the Research Institute Nature and Forest (INBO) and Natuurpunt have joined forces to realize a butterfly monitoring route around the Diepenbeek campus. The civil role that the future biologist can play is emphasized within this project. The biodiversity crisis is a social theme in which citizens can also contribute to scientific research. Using butterfly monitoring techniques, students learn the taxonomy and ecology of local butterfly populations as well as the impact of nature management on them. They will enter into a dialogue with other stakeholders (INBO, Natuurpunt, volunteers) in which cooperation is necessary to realize this research. This project will ultimately also contribute to a sustainable nature policy.