Environmental and Nature Awareness Initiatives in Rural Areas by Niksar Vocational School

As part of a social contribution project conducted by Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University’s Niksar Vocational School, meetings were held with residents in the towns of Yazıcık, Gürçeşme, and Gökçeli, as well as in Kuyucak Village. These gatherings, aimed at protecting natural resources and fostering environmental awareness, combined scientific knowledge with the practical, real-life experiences of the local citizens.

The project, titled "Training on Forest Fire Awareness, Soil Conservation, and Applied Intervention in the Context of Rural Climate Change," is being carried out through the collaboration of the Forestry and Forest Products Program and the Civil Defense and Firefighting Program. With the TOGÜ Social Contribution Coordination Office and the Tokat Provincial Gendarmerie Command serving as project partners, Assistant Professor Ergün Kahveci acts as the project coordinator, while Lecturers Gökhan El, Mustafa Yıldız, and Betül Tahmaz serve as researchers.

Field activities addressed the causes and prevention of forest fires, precautionary measures against fire risks, erosion control, climate change, the protection of soil and forest ecosystems, and the role of these ecosystems in carbon sequestration. During these meetings—characterized by mutual dialogue and information sharing—the citizens' views, observations, and experiences were taken into account, allowing for an evaluation of environmental issues and conservation strategies based on local examples. Second-year students from the Forestry and Forest Products Program and the Civil Defense and Firefighting Program actively participated in the activities carried out in Yazıcık, Kuyucak, and Gökçeli. While sharing the knowledge gained during their education with the community, the students had the opportunity to communicate directly with citizens and take responsibility for social contribution activities.

As part of the project's earlier fieldwork, an event raising awareness about forest fires had also been held at the Çamiçi Plateau. During this event, attended by academic staff and students, brochures were distributed to local residents and visitors, providing information on fire prevention and the protection of natural resources. Following this initiative—which also received on-site support from the Niksar-Çamiçi Gendarmerie Station Command—the project aims to reach wider audiences through continued meetings in various settlements.

Based on the principle of sharing scientific knowledge with society, the project aims to raise awareness regarding environmental risks in rural areas, foster public sensitivity toward the protection of natural resources, and strengthen university-community cooperation.

We extend our thanks to the TOGÜ Social Contribution Coordination Office, the Tokat Provincial Gendarmerie Command, the Niksar District Gendarmerie Command, and the gendarmerie personnel who served in the field; to the Niksar Municipality for providing transportation support for the fieldwork; to the municipalities of Yazıcık, Gürçeşme, and Gökçeli, as well as the residents of Kuyucak Village, for their hospitality; and to all the citizens who participated in the events.