The sessions of school forestry was highly appreciated by the participants and their parents

On July 14, 2015 a session about fire prevention and control was delivered in the frames of the school forestry education program. The program is implemented in Tatev, Svarants and Tandzatap communities of Syunik Region of Armenia for school children and teachers with the aim to increase their awareness and knowledge about forests.

The in-door part of the session included provision of information on fire safety and anti-fire activities in the forests. The outdoor practical part of the session was implemented in the forest with valuable contribution by the staff of “Syunik” Forest Enterprise of “Hayantar” State Non-Commercial Organization by practical demonstration of anti-fire equipment and actions. . The participants of school forestry were very enthusiastic not only to see how respective activities should be implemented in the forest, but also to practice newly acquired knowledge.

“We are so thankful for implementing school forestry in our community as it provides an opportunity for our kids to learn about nature and forests better as well as to protect them. It is obvious that continuous engagement of our kids in the school forestry activities makes them to think and care about their environment and be better prepared for participation in the activities on forest protection and rehabilitation, which are so important for the forests in southern Armenia.” – said Mrs. Marine Hakobyan, one of the parents of school forestry participants during the informal meeting with the PMT representatives Mr. Costel Bucur and Mrs. Antoanela Costea and the Project Coordinator Mrs. Siranush Galstyan.

The next session in the frames of the program will be aimed at forest cleaning in the vicinities of Tandzatap community.

A school contest on the topic of “My Forest” will be announced soon for all school children in three target communities.

Activity is conducted in the framework of The “ENPI East Countries FLEG II Program – Complementary Measures for Georgia and Armenia”,  supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation,supports Georgia and Armenia in strengthening forest governance through improving implementation of relevant international processes, enhancing their forest policy, legislation and institutional arrangements, and developing, testing and evaluating sustainable forest management models at the local level on a pilot basis for future replication. Program complements the on-going ENPI East Countries FLEG II Program, funded by the European Commission in seven countries, including Armenia and Georgia.