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Almost Seven Thousand School Students Take Part in LVM Forest Expeditions

September was a very busy time in the territories managed by JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM), as this is the time when sixth grade students go on a Forest Expedition - one of the most popular study programmes offered by LVM. Almost 7 000 participants attended eleven venues across eight LVM regions to study a variety of subjects, such as science and mathematics, in a shared adventure.

“Earlier Forest Days, where we invited students to plant forests and learn the basics of forest management, have now evolved into lessons that purposefully help children better understand the subject matter, as Forest Expeditions include tasks related to science, maths, and many more. At each stop of the Forest Expedition there is a specific practical task to do,” tells Līga Abizāre, LVM Communication Project Manager.

Most students participated in LVM Forest expeditions in Zemgale and Vidusdaugava regions, gathering more than 850 students. However, also in the other LVM regions, hundreds of students came to the forest to study and explore forest.

“According to the learning standard of natural science, students in the forest expedition understood how the knowledge gained in science can be used in everyday life, identified their effect on the forest ecosystem, and carried out a number of practical and creative tasks. I think that children have developed an understanding of the importance of forest conservation for future generations,” says Pāle Elementary School teacher.

“Children love building a wooden bridge without using nails. Other tasks are also carried out with great joy and enthusiasm. Students get to know forest science, find out how to select seed trees. Together with the experts, we count trees and learn how to calculate the number of trees per hectare and how to determine if the forest has been restored successfully. We provide young stand tending and forest thinning, because in the forest, just like in the garden, we have to choose the strongest tree that will continue to grow. We measure tree height and determine tree age using maths. We learn how to protect the forest from various pests and ensure the biodiversity of the forest. At the end of the class, we make a campfire and enjoy relaxation outdoors. Together with my colleagues, we analyse what we have done and what we can improve next year,” says Līga Abizāre, LVM Communication Project Manager.

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An insight into LVM Forest Expeditions 2019

“We now know that those working in the forest sector need knowledge of botany, zoology, physics, chemistry and mathematics, as well as excellent physical shape! Turning the big cone cylinders at LVM Vijciems Cone Drying Facility was a tough task for one sixth-grader. Good physical shape is also useful in determining the height of trees. If a person is flexible enough, they can determine the height of a tree by using the Indian method - looking at the top of the tree between one’s legs. The rest of us, the less flexible ones, have to use sticks, just like Pinocchio’s noses, our feet and calculators. It seems to be a surprise for everyone that not only furniture, pellets and paper, but also medicines and sweeteners are made of wood,” a teacher of Valmiera Viestura Secondary School Grade 6 shares her impressions of the Forest Expedition.

During the expeditions, the children, under the guidance of experienced LVM foresters, learn forest science on a two-kilometre long educational hike with 10 forest study stops. Expeditions take place near major cities in eight LVM regions and can be applied for already in spring. Throughout the school year, 6th grade students also have the opportunity to visit three permanent expedition sites where they can follow the route of the expedition programme, individually coordinating the expedition time at the information centres of LVM Nature Park in Tērvete, LVM Kalsnava Arboretum and LVM Vijciems Cone Drying Facility.