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While school students are off for their summer holidays, 50 the most active teachers are taking part in the annual Mother Nature (Mammadaba) camp organised within the framework of the LVM environmental education programme "Learning about Forests". They participate in 36-hour continuing education courses held in nature to acquire new skills, knowledge and ideas for their classes.

Wood as a significant resource

This year, Mother Nature Teachers' Camp, which took place from 27 to 29 July, was opened by Jānis Dūklavs, the Minister for Agriculture, and Guntars Catlaks, the Head of the National Centre for Education. In their opening speeches they emphasised the significance of successful collaboration between the forest and education sectors. The teachers had an opportunity to discuss a number of different issues with Dagnis Dubrovskis, the Dean of the Forest Faculty of Latvia University of Agriculture, as well as to have a debate with Kristaps Klauss, the Executive Director of the Latvian Forest Industry Federation, who stressed the role of wood as a significant resource in the national economy.

After a lively discussion at the Ministry of Agriculture, the teachers headed to LVM Kalsnava Arboretum, where they took part in the inspiration stations: guided by a professional arborist, they mastered the skills of climbing up a tree, and followed dendrologists in their work in search of the unusual in different collections of trees and shrubs. The educational part of the day ended with a visit to LVM Kalsnava cone-seed nursery; the teachers also had an opportunity to see what a seed freezer looks like.

Bird chirps and Finnish experience

Next day, the participants got up early to go birdwatching together with Kaspars Funts and Kārlis Millers, ornithologists of the Latvian Birds' Fund. The teachers were very excited for the lively twittering of their new small friends met in the forest.

After the active morning, teachers were introduced to the good practice followed by some schools in organising the learning process in nature. This experience was shared by a guest speaker from Finland. The programme was opened with a greeting by LVM representatives and a brief presentation on the LVM previous cooperation with the schools, as well as on the plans for future cooperation. Teachers and Director Ilona Bergmane of Riga Teika Secondary School told about their achievements and methods of teaching. Elīna Apsīte, a teacher from Sigulda, shared the experience of Laurenči Primary School in promoting work and studies in nature, outside the school premises.

Sirpa Kärkkäinen, a representative of the Finnish Forest Association, told about the Finnish experience with the education reform and gradual implementation of a new education programme. Sirpa's long-term experience in the forestry sector and the degree in psychology were a great asset in the elaboration and implementation of the Finnish forest education programme. The lectures focused not only on the theoretical aspects of the Case Forest Pedagogy methods, but also on the practical application thereof, and how these methods may be implemented more extensively in Latvian schools. At the end of the lecture, the teachers were given an opportunity to slip into the role of students; they went to the forest, and all of their questions were noted down. Later, these questions were read out to the colleagues, and one - the main question - was chosen to be discussed together.

Sirpa Kärkkäinen appreciated the pedagogical method used at Teika Secondary School since it is very, very similar to the Case Forest Pedagogy method recently implemented in Finland. She was happy that such courses are attended by so many teachers who are willing not only to learn new things themselves, but also to invest their effort and work in improving and diversifying the learning process to make it more interesting and creative for students.

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Experience of Latvia's State Forests in forest management

The best way to understand all the processes taking place in the forest is to go on a small expedition to the forest. Despite the sudden storm clouds and rain, the teachers bravely got into the bus and, accompanied by Kaspars Riže, LVM Senior Forest Expert, headed to the forest to see all the processes with their own eyes. The main task of the excursion was watching. The expert not only told about skilful forest management, which is implemented in the state forests, but also urged the participants to observe and listen to the forest. His questions about the forest management cycle made the participants search for answers, thinking about the way seedlings are grown and forest is planted, tended and restored.

The conversation about the forest life cycle was continued at LVM Podiņi Nursery in Lubāna Municipality, where Jānis Siksalietis, the Head of the nursery, told about the process of growing forest seedlings, as well as showed the new waxing machine. Here, teachers could see seeds and seedlings, as well as visit the large greenhouses, where the young forest plants are taken good care of by the skilful and attentive LVM specialists. Teachers were particularly interested in the small containers, where seedlings are grown, because they seemed to be very difficult for the seedlings to be taken out of. As it was tested by the teachers, it was not at all difficult. Seedlings may be easily removed from the containers without injuring them during the replanting process.

In Tīrumnieki Swamp the teachers had an opportunity to discover the rich flora and fauna of the swamp. Environmental guide Anna Macāne told a number of exciting scientific facts and old stories about the swamp. However, the fact the several plants had started to bloom in an unusual time of the year arouse the greatest interest of both - the participants and the guide herself. This can be explained with the mild winters, during which plants manage to break through the snow and begin their development. When frost occurs, plants crouch down to show themselves in full bloom again later than usual, this way pleasing the nature enthusiasts, who have missed the usual blooming time.

A new hobby and new ideas

For the last day to start actively, the participants were divided into teams to take part in the Mother Nature orienteering competition. To make it even more fun, small gifts were presented to the five best orienteers; however, this time it was not the main thing. The greatest achievement is that some teachers not only discovered the magic of orienteering, but probably also found a new hobby.

This year, before the beginning of the camp, the teachers were instructed to do a homework - to prepare a plan for a class called "Wood is Everywhere!". Although each teacher came with a completely different perspective, the main task for group work was to create the final version of the teaching plan, combining the ideas of all the team members. Some teams used not only games, study cards or rebuses, but also some elements of the methodology acquired during the camp.

The camp ended with the Market of Ideas, and then it was time for handing out certificates. Certificates were presented to all the teachers who participated in the camp -  for their initiative, dedication, love of work and willingness to learn new skills. LVM is proud of all the participants and wishes them success in inspiring the young generation to explore nature!