A successful final event for the Istria Model Forest project “In the Forest as in the Classroom”
In the territory of Istria Model Forest, on March 25, 2025, the final meeting was held as part of the Erasmus+ KA2 project “In the Forest as in the Classroom”.
The project brought together partners from Croatia and Slovenia with the aim of developing and promoting forest pedagogy – an innovative approach to learning through outdoor activities and time spent in nature. The lead partner of the project is Istria Model Forest.
Partners presented the project results, including the e-manual “In the Forest as in the Classroom,” created in collaboration by the Slovenian Forestry Institute, the Public Open University Gospić, and Istria Model Forest.
Kindergartens and primary schools, inspired by the project, have launched ongoing forest pedagogy activities within their institutions: Amadea Družetić (Kindergarten Pazin) introduced a location they named the “Forest Room” and shared all the positive effects achieved with children through this kind of outdoor work; Elena Rabak Stroligo (Primary School Buzet) formed a group of pupils called “Nature Lovers,” whom she regularly takes to a forest location. She carries out various forest pedagogy activities with them, many of which she became familiar with during the project.
All project partners presented their recent forest pedagogy activities, as well as those initiated during the project. Irena Peša (Public Open University Gospić) demonstrated that forest pedagogy isn’t just about learning about the forest—it can also be a way to teach subjects like math, the Croatian language, as well as conduct music, art, and physical education classes. In her presentation “Curriculum and Forest Pedagogy,” she shared various activities that help students master curriculum content in a forest environment. Urša Vilhar (Slovenian Forestry Institute) presented an innovative training program for “forest tourist guides” already underway in Slovenia, while Nataša Turk gave an insight into what an Open Day looks like at the Forestry Institute.
After the conference portion, field workshops in forest pedagogy were held in forest locations along the Lovrin educational-recreational trail. More than 80 participants - educators and teachers from all over Istria - signed up and took part in the workshops. Although the event was accompanied by rain for much of the program, all participants enthusiastically engaged in the workshops, which were organized as a “market of activities” - participants moved in groups between locations where the same workshop was repeated, ensuring each group could experience every activity.
The workshops held by project partners included:
- “Spring Flowers” (Kindergarten)
- “The Forest Awakens” (School)
- “Forest Math” (Slovenian Forestry Institute)
The final conference “In the Forest as in the Classroom” demonstrated the importance of learning directly from nature and providing both children and adults with the opportunity to connect with the forest through experiential learning. The project partners expressed their satisfaction with the results achieved and highlighted the need for continued collaboration in developing programs that encourage holistic forest-based learning.
Istria Model Forest, as a pioneer in promoting forest pedagogy in Istria and in Croatia, has made a significant impact on implementing forest pedagogy in schools and kindergartens in the Istrian region and, more broadly, in educational institutions within the territory of the Model Forest.
Here the link to the news on the Istria Model Forest website.