September in the territories managed by the JSC “Latvijas valsts meži” has been full of brisk events, because it is time when sixth grade students go on the LVM Forest Expedition – one of the most popular educational programmes offered by the LVM. In all eight regions of LVM, in eleven locations almost 7 thousand participants took part in learning in a form of shared adventure different school subjects, for example, nature science and mathematics.
“The previous Forest Days, where we invited students to plant forests and learn about forest management principles, now have become educational lessons that purposefully help children to have a better understanding about educational content, because Forest Expeditions includes tasks, which are related both with nature science and mathematics, and also other school subjects. In each stop of Forest Expedition there is some specific task to fulfil,” explains Līga Abizāre, director of LVM educational projects. The largest number of students participating in the LVM Forest Expeditions was in Zemgale and Middle Daugava regions, gathering around 40 groups with more than 850 students. Also other LVM regions gathered hundreds of students eager to learn in forest. “According to the standard of nature science, students in forest expedition understood how the knowledge that they received in nature science lessons can be used in everyday life, got to know theirs and other people’s effect on forest ecosystem, did practical and creative tasks. I think that children developed an understanding about preserving forests for next generations,” says teacher of Pāle Elementary School.
“Children like building wooden bridge without using nails. Other tasks also are done with joy and enthusiasm. Children get to know forest science and learn what is selection, how to select seed trees. Together with experts we count trees and learn how to calculate the number of trees in a hectare and how to determine if forest is successfully regenerated. We tend young forest stands and thin out forest, because in forest, similar as in garden, we have to select the strongest tree that will continue to grow. We measure tree height and determine age of tree by using mathematics. We learn how to protect forest from different pests and to provide natural diversity in forest. At the end of lesson we make a bonfire and enjoy recreation in nature. However, at the end of Forest Expedition, together with colleagues we analyse what could be improved and developed for the next year,” tells Līga Abizāre.
“Now we know that people working in forestry need the knowledge of botanic, zoology, physics, chemistry and mathematics, as well as they have to be in perfect physical shape! The strength of one sixth grader was almost not enough to turn the big cone cylinders in the LVM Vijciems Cone Drying Facility. Good physical shape also comes in handy when determining tree height. If person is nimble enough, he can determine tree height with the method used by Indians – looking at tree top through legs. For others, less nimble ones, have to use small sticks, just like a nose of Buratino, feet and calculators. Seems that everyone was surprised that wood is used not only in making furniture, pellets and paper, but also in medicine and sweetener,” teacher of 6th grade of Valmiera Viesturs Secondary School shares her experience in Forest Expedition.
During the expeditions children in guidance of experienced LVM foresters learn about forest in a two kilometre long educational hike in nature with 10 forest education stops. Expeditions take place near the largest cities in eight LVM regions, registration for them is already in spring. All through the school year 6th grades have a chance to go also on three independent expedition sites with special routes of expedition programme, coordinating the time of expedition individually in advance with the information centres of these objects in LVM Nature Park in Tērvete, LVM Kalsnava Arboretum and LVM Vijciems Cone Drying Facility.