Growing Knowledge: Forest Education Across Europe 

Forestry education can be challenging to integrate into classroom settings. In Finland, Switzerland and Croatia, new approaches are emerging. From a simulation game in Swiss universities to co-developing learning materials in Finnish forestry schools and interactive educational toolboxes in Croatian high schools, these initiatives share a common goal: inspiring future generations to explore forest ecosystems and sustainability.

Educational toolboxes in Croatian high schools  

To test new materials and receive direct feedback, the team at FSC Adria-Balkan recently visited two high schools - one located in Croatia's coastal north and the other in a mountainous, forest-rich region. Despite their contrasting landscapes, both schools provided valuable testing grounds.

Partnering with Ana Fornazar, a Croatian forestry consultant with expertise in forestry and pedagogy, who is also president of the Istria Model Forest, FSC wanted to evaluate the reception, interactivity and effectiveness of five newly developed educational modules on forests.  

The evaluation involved three first-year biology classes (ages 14–15). During a 15–20-minute session, a biology teacher presented one of the modules, after which students received printed copies of all five for individual exploration. The session concluded with students and teachers completing a structured test to assess their preferences and suggestions for improvement.  

Students’ reactions  

Students responded positively to the materials and shared valuable suggestions for enhancing accessibility and usability. Some of them appreciated how the materials connected forests to Croatia’s own environment, making the subject more tangible and closer to their daily lives. As one student noted, “I’ve never really thought about forests much. I guess it’s because there aren’t any nearby, but learning about them in this way makes me realize how important they are.” Another commented: “It's exciting to learn something about them that we don't typically cover in other subjects”.  

Teachers’ feedback  

Petra, a teacher from the coastal school in Pula, shared: "The new educational modules reflect our students' needs and interests. Teachers often struggle to find quality and accessible resources to educate students about climate change and the importance of natural resources. Initiatives like these play a crucial role in bridging that gap, providing environmental science materials with an engaging and student-friendly approach that captures their interest."  

Teachers highlighted the challenge of maintaining student attention and stressed the importance of concise, visually appealing, and informative content. Overall, feedback was positive. Many noted that the modules successfully integrated multiple scientific disciplines and suggested they could also be appropriate for the final year of middle school.

Teachers also discussed format preferences, with a general consensus that PowerPoint presentations might better support structured lesson plans. Additionally, they recommended collaborating with the Provincial Association of High School Professors to explore the modules’ integration into official curricula.

What’s next?  

Based on the collected feedback, the next steps involve refining both the format and accessibility of the modules. The team will assess whether to maintain print-only resources, transition to digital formats, or adopt a hybrid approach.

Dissemination will also be a key focus. Potential outreach strategies include leveraging teacher-focused Facebook groups, forming partnerships with relevant organizations, and communicating directly with schools via email.

These school visits offered invaluable insights that will guide the future of the project in Croatia. Through active participation from both students and teachers, FSC aims to create educational materials with regional relevance - and potentially broader international appeal. It’s a small but meaningful step toward fostering environmental literacy and integrating sustainable forestry into everyday learning.

Simulation game for Swiss universities  

In Switzerland too, new ways to make sustainable forestry education more engaging are emerging, going beyond traditional school materials. WaldWege (in English: Forest Paths) is a simulation game that drives participants into the complex dynamics of responsible forest management. Aimed at university students and young adults, it encourages systems thinking and critical reflection by simulating long-term impacts of forest management decisions and value chain choices across various timescales.

This engaging learning tool is being developed through collaboration with LEAF Inspiring Change and the Zurich University of Teacher Education. FSC Switzerland also plans to adapt the game for younger audiences, including primary school students, in the coming years.  

Learning materials in Finnish forestry schools  

In Finland, forestry schools and universities of applied sciences are integrating new FSC-related content into their curricula. These educational materials are based on the Finnish Forest Stewardship Standar and cover both the technical and ethical aspects of sustainable forestry.

Students explore practical topics such as creating buffer zones near water bodies, retaining ecologically valuable trees, conserving biodiversity, protecting High Conservation Value (HCV) forests, and avoiding logging during bird nesting seasons. They also learn about forest operations, including regeneration, clearing, thinning, and the responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers.

What makes these tools unique is their participatory creation process. Teachers were consulted through a survey, which helped shape resources tailored to their needs - including a certificate upon completion. Students’ feedback was highly valued throughout the collaboration, leading to materials that students particularly enjoy, as they reflect their interests and preferred formats.   

Thanks to these pioneering efforts in Croatia, Switzerland, and Finland, knowledge of sustainable forest management is reaching students earlier than ever - equipping future professionals and citizens with the tools they need to support a more sustainable future.

If you need help downloading the educational toolboxes or would like to collaborate with FSC Adria-Balkan on teaching activities, please contact the team at adriabalkan@fsc.org