Forest School with Climate is a programme developed jointly by the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Ministry of Education and Science, designed to inspire students and teachers to act in favour of the natural environment. The programme also includes State Forests, which, among other things, prepare routes for the outdoor games and organise lectures. The programme is also supported the Deputy Marshall of the Polish Sejm, Małgorzata Gosiewska, who is ambassador of another initiative run jointly with State Forests: Camp in Forest, within which 425 forest districts have designated special forest areas, which can be used for camping without fear of violating the Forest Act.

Environmental, climate-related and ecological content is present in the school curriculum. This is an important element of education from the very beginning. I am pleased that, together with the Ministry of Climate and Environment, we can emphasise the crucial role of State Forests in environmental education, especially now – when the school has returned to full-time classes after the period of pandemic. It is extremely important that young people feel from the earliest age their responsibility for the world and the environment around us,

emphasised Minister Przemysław Czarnek.

Instruction by action

The actions envisaged under the programme shall be adapted to the seasons. As the summer is approaching, activities have been prepared during which children will learn, among other things, how to use the forest wisely, how not to get lost, why the foresters trace routes, what routes are there in the forest, whether you camp in the forest or which plants we are allowed to pick up and which should not be touched, how and what to do when we come into contact with wild animals.

The main objective of the programme is to provide instruction by action and to spend time together in the nature, which is so important in the pandemic era; as well as to give children and young people the opportunity to play together in order to rebuild social ties. We also want to inspire actions in favour of the natural environment, for example by planting trees together,

said Minister Kurtyka.

Let us take care of our environment

Another important topic in the summer is protecting the forests from fire. Thanks to the outdoor activities, children will see water drawing points, learn how the forest district's alarm control centre works, what is the purpose of fire towers and why are radios used by foresters when everyone has a mobile phone?

We want enable children and young people, in attractive and affordable way, learning about the nature that surrounds them by living with it, for example by jointly exploring tree and plant species, recognising animal tracks or ornithological observations. During the eco-lessons, foresters will also remind how to behave in the forest, including in contact with wild and sick animals,

highlights Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Edward Siarka.

By having group outdoor activities, the programme will also support the development of interpersonal competences, skills related to learning and working in the group, as well as communication, logical thinking, creativity and autonomy.

For years, State Forests have been carrying out forest education, which is why we will be happy to take part in the Forest School with Climate project. In recent years, we have significantly extended our offer to children and young people, which is reflected in figures. Before the pandemic, in 2019, foresters had classes with almost one million primary and secondary school pupils. More than 400,000 children aged 3-6 have also begun their forest adventure together with the foresters,

said the acting General Director of State Forests, Józef Kubica.

He then emphasises, that State Forests have allocated 27.3 million Polish zlotys for the education of children, young people and adults, including the construction and equipment of forest awareness facilities. It should be noted that 90% of these funds come from the State Forests budget.