The first session of the new forestry program was conducted in Southern Armenia on March 11, 2016. About 30 pupils and teachers from four communities in Syunik region participated in the program, which aims to increase awareness and knowledge about forests. The program is continuation of the first phase implemented in 2015 for the schools of the communities Tatev, Tandzatap and Svarants. This year the Halidzor community school joined the program. The Halidzor school administration and pupils learned about the program from participants and approached the FLEG II program to engage them.

Importance of forest and its value was discussed during the first session of the program. All four schools received the collection of environment and forest related literature for school libraries. School forestry participants, schools and program partners received calendars for 2016 produced in the frames of the program with use of the winner works from the school contest organized during the first phase of the program.

“We are very happy for continuing the program on school forestry in our communities. It is an opportunity for a new group of pupils and teachers to get to know more about forests, their values, biodiversity and protection. The first phase of the program was useful not only for the program participants, but also for the schools in general as teachers use the educational materials provided by the program during their classes. In addition, being inspired by the program we initiated an eco-club in the frames of non-formal education. This will ensure the sustainability of the school forestry impact and engagement of more and more pupils in forestry and environmental education”- said Mrs. Norvard Movsisyan, Director of Tatev school.

A tree planting was organized as an out-door activity with support of the staff of “Syunik” Forest Enterprise of “Hayantar” State Non-Commercial Organization – the state forest management organization. Participants learnt about soil preparation, tree planting and pruning.

In the frames of the ongoing program it is planned to have a number of in-door and out-door sessions as well as field trips, forest cleaning event and school contest.