FOREST EDUCATION GUIDE INVITES TO EXPLORE NORDIC AND BALTIC REGION

Can the forest serve as a full scale complement to the traditional classroom? A unanimous – Yes! comes from all the participants from Sweden, Latvia and Norway in “Schools growing together with forests”, a project funded by Nordplus Horizontal in years 2023– 2025. And that is why a new guide to outdoor education in the forest is created, based on their shared experiences, tips and reflections. From the teenagers attending the camps to the primary school teachers, and professionals who run nature schools or work with forestry – they have all been involved in the project. As a result “Forest education guide” invites both schools and foresters to explore, why the forest as a classroom is a sustainable place for learning and how it can be done in Nordic and Baltic region.

Project ”Schools growing together with forests” established cross-sectoral forest education network among schools, forestry organisations and nature centres in Latvia, Norway and Sweden with the objective to produce inovative forest education materials and programs. It targeted both adults and youngsters: foresters, nature guides, teachers and pupils providing opportunities for formal and non-formal exchange of hands-on experience about forests and climate change. The project focussed on the problem of great demand for forest services and lack of common awareness about sustainabale forest education in Latvia, Sweden and Norway. During the project workshops were organized for representatives from different sectors and regions to discuss access problems to forests and create common understanding and new means for sustainable forest education. Workshops included foresters, researchers from institutes, adult educators, forest and education experts from public and private sector, teachers and pupils from primary and secondary schools.

Forest education guide – free for download

The output of the project is jointly produced and approbated interdisciplinar education programs for forest camps in all three project countries and digitally published new Forest Education Guide about sustainable forest education in the region. Established Forest education network serves as a platform for further projects fostering cooperation and green growth in Baltics and Scandinavia.

Forum in Latvia was attended by representatives from Norwegian Forestry extension institute ”Skogkurs”, the Finnish Forest Association and Swedish nature schools, as well as University of Latvia’s Interdisciplinary Education Innovation Center (LU SIIC), Latvian National Guards and LVM. Līga Abizare, head of environmental education at LVM reflected at the closing discussion of forum that the most significant benefit of learning in nature is not only better success and health, but also higher self-assurance in current geopolitical turmoil. It is an opportunity for students to learn skills important for survival in nature to strengthen individual and national security. It is also a way to get to know the natural riches of forests by creating belonging to both Baltic and Nordic community. Additional information about the Nordic and Baltic cooperation: www.nordplusonline.org

Video insight – Latvian teacher forum “DABĀ/NATURE”

Forum in Latvia was attended by representatives from Norwegian Forestry extension institute ”Skogkurs”, the Finnish Forest Association and Swedish nature schools, as well as University of Latvia’s Interdisciplinary Education Innovation Center (LU SIIC), Latvian National Guards and LVM. Līga Abizare, head of environmental education at LVM reflected at the closing discussion of forum that the most significant benefit of learning in nature is not only better success and health, but also higher self-assurance in current geopolitical turmoil. It is an opportunity for students to learn skills important for survival in nature to strengthen individual and national security. It is also a way to get to know the natural riches of forests by creating belonging to both Baltic and Nordic community. Additional information about the Nordic and Baltic cooperation: www.nordplusonline.org