Life Predator in schools: a first assessment

As the school holidays approach, the first cycle of educational activities proposed by the Protected Areas of the Cozie Alps as part of the Life Predator Project for controlling the catfish in the waters of the Natural Park of Avigliana Lakes has come to an end. This initiative, funded by the European Union, indeed includes a series of educational and outreach actions to raise awareness among citizens about the issues raised by the illegal introduction of the aquatic predator – an invasive alien species – in the freshwater basins of southern Europe and what is being done in the Avigliana Lakes to combat its spread.

In the 2025/2026 school year, 53 classes participated with a total of 843 girls and boys who, along with their teachers, were very satisfied with the proposals. But the work will continue from September with still available spots for new schools that wish to join, always for free, thanks to European contributions.

Educational Proposals

The planning had already begun last summer when the Park Authority decided to entrust the design of the educational activities to the Culturalpe Cooperative Society, which collaborated with the Official Guides of the Cozie Alps Parks to devise 4 paths, including a classroom lesson and a field trip in the Natural Park of Avigliana Lakes, titled The Nightmare of Naturalists, To Make a Lake, From Water Life, and Who Eats Whom.

Each proposal has been scientifically validated by technical staff and park rangers and includes a front presentation, two ad hoc games, and various moments of discussion and comparison based on observations that can be made in nature, also using the materials developed by the Life Predator project. The Guides are trained to adapt the presentation of topics to primary school students as well as to those in secondary school of both first and second levels.

Additionally, on May 21, the Guides participated with a stand at the Long Live ASL To3 event at the Alveare Verde of Avigliana, meeting over 50 classes for a total of about 900 students with the aim of further disseminating the actions taken to control the catfish.