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Schools Highly Appreciate the Digital Forest Days

A total of 2 663 school students participated in the Digital Forest Days, organized by JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM) this April and May. This is the first time in the company's history that Forest Days have taken place digitally, adapting to the current epidemiological situation. The feedback received from students and teachers confirms that it is possible to raise interest and knowledge in reforestation matters also remotely.

23 classes were held during the Digital Forest Days this year, involving 2663 students from 149 classes. As part of the Digital Forest Days, Pigman ran daily on-line classes in the preschool eco-programme “Pigman’s Detectives”, revealing the dirty secrets of the forest to kindergarten students. In turn, primary school students were addressed on-line in tours from LVM Kalsnava Arboretum by both Pigman and specialists from LVM Kalsnava Arboretum, discussing the role and importance of reforestation.

After the classes, students admitted that it was a very exciting experience to learn how to plant a forest and how to get seeds from cones. Students now not only know how to recognize seeds of different trees visually, but also know how to determine whether seeds are good enough for sowing. It was very interesting for the students to visit LVM Kalsnava Arboretum remotely and travel in time - watching different varieties of trees, and visiting a greenhouse where birches are growing. Best quality birch seeds will be obtained from these birches, so that the most productive trees grow from them. Teachers also acknowledge that this year's unusual Forest Days have been very interesting, engaging for children and have allowed them to acquire new and strengthen existing knowledge that can be used in science classes in the future.

The activities of the Digital Forest Days are organized by JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” within the project “Do not Litter the Forest!”. In cooperation with the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund, JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” has been implementing the “Do not Litter the Forest!” campaign throughout Latvia since 2005. This year, it is planned to continue educating and informing the public about forest protection issues, promoting the change of public attitude and behaviour towards leaving waste in forests. Find out more about the project here www.cukmens.lv