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Symbolically for Children’s Day, LESY SR, š. p., a forest school that has no analogues in Slovakia. A unique project supported by European resources from the Interreg V-A Slovak Republic – Hungary Cooperation Program offers unique experiential learning about forest and forestry. The main idea of ​​the project is to increase the attractiveness and attendance of the border region, as well as to improve the environmental awareness and science literacy of the young generation through education by forest teachers.

The ceremonial act of opening the forest school in Levice was also connected with another important anniversary. As mentioned in his introductory speech by the General Director of LESY SR, Ing. Tomáš Čuka, this is happening at a time when we are also commemorating the 150th anniversary of the separation of forestry from mining and the emergence of forestry as an independent branch. “Today we also have International Children’s Day, and it is for children, but also for the general public, that the state-owned company wants to present a forest school as a gift. We are looking forward to regularly welcoming children and the public here and in this way promoting the good name of forestry in Slovakia, “remarked Ing. Tomáš Čuka.

LESY SR, š. p., they want to develop services and support ecotourism with this project at the same time. Lesná škola is located on the territory of the largest branch plant Lesov SR, which extends from the state border given by the river Danube to the hill Sitno, practically from Lučenec to Gabčíkovo. “We are at the opening of a unique project of a forest school, which is the first of its kind in Slovakia. Its importance is justified, as we are located in an area that is less forested, but all the more densely populated. Teaching in primary and secondary schools takes place in the classroom and it is not easy to get students into nature during the teaching process. Therefore, we decided to bring nature to the city, to this building. The whole project was created thanks to cross-border cooperation with the Republic of Hungary, which in the history of the Levice branch dates back to 2011, “said Ing. Tomáš Čuka.

It definitely pays to pay attention to the youngest generation. “I am convinced that the forest school is created for those who will decide on the fate of forests and trees for our children in the future. They need to gain a relationship with nature and knowledge, based on which they will be able to make quality decisions in the future about the use of all products that our beautiful Slovak landscape provides. I believe that this object will be used effectively, “Ing. Also mentioned in his introductory word. Michal Tomčík, General Director of the Forestry and Wood Processing Section of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic.

The forest school program will be adapted to the age categories of children and will be provided free of charge for the time being. Excursions will also be offered to the public. Schools can use the premises to teach science subjects, creative workshops or art work. “So far, we have two operating days, Tuesday and Thursday. Registration is launched on the website of the forest school, where those interested can find detailed information for both schools and the public. Several thematically focused programs have been created for June. The minimum number in the group is 10 participants, the maximum is 25, “said the Head of the Forest School, Ing. Slavka Pavlova. The programs will be accompanied by children’s visitors by trained forest teachers. For adults, discussions with experts on the forest or the environment are planned, depending on interest. In the future, the use of space for other organizations for training, conferences and other additional activities is being considered.

The forest school in Levice will operate on the basis of demonstrations, practical work in the workshop, tactile and visual demonstrations of surfaces or samples of forest elements. The head of the forest school, Slávka Pavlová, adds: “Children can touch natural material and work with it. The drawing room is also adapted to the use of a laser shooting range. Science subjects will be taught in the conference room. In the license room there is a forest in various forms such as animal tracks, leaves, collections of beetles or butterflies, cones and plants. ”

The building with its internal usable area of ​​more than 1,000 m2 offers spaces for dioramas, a creative workshop, a drawing room, a tree hall, a cognitive and educational room together with a terrace. In the exterior, the forest school is surrounded by a mini arboretum with the most common tree species and the truss of Slovak forests. The area is variegated with a gazebo and complemented by information panels. In front of the forest school, a green path was created, leading visitors to the forest school with wooden elements for games and relaxation not only for children but also for adults.

As part of the Interreg V-A Slovak Republic-Hungary Cooperation Program, a unique forest school was built on the Slovak side, and a visitor center and forest school were completed in Somoskő on the Hungarian-Slovak border. The total budget of the project was about 1, 4 million euros. Project support from the European Regional Development Fund amounted to 1.2 million euros. On the Slovak side, the project completely refinanced approximately 700 thousand euros, of which 595 thousand euros for the construction of the Forest School OZ Levice. In addition, other project activities were funded, such as exchanges for children, training of new forest teachers, excursions to Hungarian forest schools and teaching aids. The sustainability of the project is 5 years.

Deputy Mayor Levíc, Csaba Tolnai, on behalf of the City of Levice congratulated the representatives of the State Forests of the Slovak Republic on the successful commissioning of the forest school. “On behalf of the City of Levice, I would like to congratulate you on your amazing cross-border success in the Interreg project. I know it’s hard work and you’ve done it. When we heard about three years ago that this project was being prepared in our city, we were very pleased because it is a unique work. A unique that will help us discover the secrets and treasures of nature and educate our students. I am very pleased and thank you for your efforts to make this project a success. ”

The general cut of the ribbon was taken care of by the General Director of Lesov SR, Ing. Tomáš Čuka, General Director of the Section of Forestry and Wood Processing MPVR SR, Ing. Michal Tomčík and Director of the Levice Branch Plant, Ing. Jozef Habara. Later, those present moved to the interior of the school, where they inspected the individual classrooms and aids. The first children’s visitors were children from the Church Primary School in Nová Dedina and children from the 6th primary school in Levice. All those present received little attention in memory of the opening of the forest school, which will remind them of this special day.

Source: Slovak Gate No. 11/2021