In an effort to spark interest and understanding of the forest among children and young people, 23,566 pupils of various ages and 759 teachers took part in AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) environmental education programmes last year. Thanks to long-term cooperation with the National Centre for Education, the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund, and the LU Interdisciplinary Educational Innovation Centre, preschool, primary and secondary school pupils, as well as students and educators, have ventured into the forest.

According to LVM Environmental Education Manager Līga Abizāre, the highest number of participants has traditionally been in the youngest age groups – 8,600 children from 294 groups took part in the LVM eco-programme for kindergartens, “Cūkmena detektīvi” (Pigman’s Detectives), while 7,477 pupils from 147 classes participated in the primary school programme “mammadaba meistarklase” (Mammadaba Masterclass). The popular LVM forest expeditions, which saw 5,990 pupils from 6th grade classes head out in September, also experienced a large influx of interested participants. Other educational programmes – the LVM Forest Olympiad, the Bioeconomy School and the “Skābeklis” (Oxygen) sticker competition – also gathered enthusiastic pupils who created creative works about the forest.