All forest types from tropical to boreal, offer a huge diversity of habitats for plants, animals and micro-organisms. However, these biologically rich systems are increasingly threatened, largely as a result of human activity. We encourage schools to investigate their local and national forests, discover why they are so important biologically and investigate ways of helping to protect them. We also encourage schools to learn about the ecological web, knowledge and understanding of ecological interplay between single species, within different ecosystems and within bigger areas with many specific structures leading to a better understanding of nature’s processes.
Case studies
Children’s attention was drawn to the importance of trees in the environment in a very positive way
It was a joy to work on the programme with the children, we all found it so interesting
The programme is incredibly enjoyable and very beneficial to all pupils
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AN CHOILL BHEAG CELEBRATING 5 YEARS
Coláiste Dún Iascaigh and the local Tidy Towns group in Cahir plant a Choill Bheag in the Town Park
Videos
Learning about Forests celebrated 15 years of success in 2015! LEAF is a programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The LEAF programme was initiated in 1999 by the Forest in Schools programmes in Norway, Sweden and Finland, in cooperation with FEE, and was rolled out in the spring of 2000. The LEAF programme was successfully transferred to the FEE Head Office, Copenhagen, in 2014 and is now coordinated by FEE at an international level. Globally, there are twenty-three countries participating in the LEAF programme. The LEAF programme aligns itself with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the Global Action Programme (GAP).