Case Study
Experiential actions in the Mount Hymettus Αesthetic Forest: an innovative project
Contact name
Nikos Pangas - Marianna Basoulou (Philodassiki Enossi Athinon) - Panagiotis Koulelis (Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems)
Institution name
Philodassiki Enossi Athinon
Region & country
Attica,Greece
Summary
The main aim of the project is the capitalization of the forestry research fields with a view to enhancing the knowledge of primary and secondary education teachers on specific issues related to forest ecosystems and climate change. Improving students’ environmental knowledge and attitudes must be considered essential because the same students will be responsible for nature conservation in the future. The educators who are trained through the project are acting as multipliers of knowledge and environment protection messages to pupils, who in turn will be the new generation of sensitized, informed, and active citizens.
Outdoor education facilities in the Mount Hzmettus Aesthetic Forest
Philodassiki
Experiential action taking place in the forest participated by secondary education teachers
Philodassiki
Young teachers in seminar on the renovated hall at an old building in the forest
Philodassiki
Use of the existing outdoor education facility in the aesthetic forest for experiential actions
Philodassiki
The scientists of the Mediterranean Forest Institute and the Philodassiki, who are the leaders of the experiential actions
Philodassiki
Background of the project
As far as we know, there is no variety of courses on environmental education and specifically on forest education to use the countryside as a place of education. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the current level of knowledge of teachers in special forest ecosystems at the national level, and this has the same effect on students.
The needs that we identified were to determine the current level of knowledge of teachers in special forest ecosystems.
Solution and actions taken
With the help of the questionnaires (for the evaluation of added knowledge) that are distributed before and after the actions of the project, the contribution of the training to the specific subjects is examined.
1) A questionnaire was drafted
2) Preparation of training material which is included all experiential training actions.
These actions concern forest management, regeneration after wildfires, ecophysiological functions, biodiversity, and climate change impacts, identification studies of forest insects, highlighting the value of forest genetic diversity, and the importance of periurban forests.
Other institutions or parties involved
The project is implemented in the Mt. Hymettus aesthetic forest by researchers of the Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems in cooperation with the Filodadiki Ennosi Athinon (a EUROPARC member). This project receives funding from the Green Fund /Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Results
This project results in the dissemination of newly added knowledge to teachers and eventually to students. Training and awareness raising materials are distributed to all Education Directorates in the Country and to Environmental Education Centers. The value of the protected Mt. Hymettus Aesthetic Forest (part of the NATURA 2000 site of Mt Hymettus) is promoted and guidelines for its conservation and protection are drawn.
Challenges
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Lessons learned
The opportunity for teachers for education “for the forest – in the forest” (experiential learning) enhances the offer of environmental education in schools that are long-term environmental protection.
Other resources
Contact name
Nikos Pangas - Marianna Basoulou (Philodassiki Enossi Athinon) - Panagiotis Koulelis (Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems)
Institution name
Philodassiki Enossi Athinon
Website(s)
