Students and teachers from the Ecology College of Chisinau, Moldova, took part in an intensive training on sustainable forestry and management practices delivered within Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (FLEG) II Program. The training is part of a longer collaboration with the Ecology College and aims to support the next generation of forestry experts in Moldova to have a sustainable, long-term approach on managing and preserving the country’s forests.

On May 11^th and 12^th, the forests in old Orhei received special attention from a group of 30 students and 5 teachers from the Forestry section of the Ecology College in Chisinau. The young people make up the next generation of forestry experts and ecologists in Moldova, and many of them come from various parts of the country thus ensuring a national coverage. The group, selected as “young messengers for Moldova’s forests”, was invited in a field trip in the area of Orhei National Park, characterized by a rich biodiversity and valuable forests along with an extraordinary cultural heritage.

The two days were dedicated to sustainable forestry training for young people, from both a theoretical and a practical approach. Facilitated by forestry and education experts, the training aimed to complete students’ present knowledge on forest management, to create a context where they could practice new skills taking into sustainability into account, and broaden their perspectives on sustainable development. The students were involved in real-life situations in both a young and an old forest during forest practice Students were welcomed by Mr. Vitalie Starodub, head of the state forest enterprise of Orhei.

“We were impressed by the existing level of knowledge of the students, but at the same time by their openness to learn. We felt that there is great potential in this generation of future experts, who expressed enthusiasm for this practical activity and a desire to continue. We hope that the educational material, the trained teachers and students can become vectors for spreading a sustainable vision for Moldova’s forests”, declared Antoanela Costea – WWF Country Program Coordinator for Moldova.

The event is part of a long-term partnership with the Ecology College in Chisinau, focusing on capacity building for this key educational institution. Steps have already been taken during the collaboration, by developing a Teaching Material on The Forest within the Context of Sustainable Development, by training teachers on using the material and on Education for Sustainable Development, and by offering technical support to the school with equipment useful for forestry classes.

The teaching material is available in three languages, here:

Romanian - http://www.moldsilva.gov.md/.../Padurea_in_contextul_dezvoltarii_durabile.pdf

Russian - http://www.enpi-fleg.org/site/assets/files/1868/fleg_ii-ru-web.pdf

English - http://www.enpi-fleg.org/site/assets/files/1868/fleg_ii-eng-web.pdf

For further information, please contact Antoanela Costea, acostea@wwfdcp.ro