Young Friends of the Forest is an initiative for students to learn about nature, especially forests, by establishing and developing clubs in schools, led by enthusiastic teachers.
Friendship with Young Friends of the Forest is a meaningful part of our foresters’ work and a tradition that has continued for many years. By mentoring young nature enthusiasts and introducing them to the specifics of forestry work, foresters cultivate a generation that will carry a modern and sustainable understanding of forestry and the comprehensive importance of our forests to nature and society.
The need to organize students into Young Friends of the Foresr clubs, school forestry units or other gatherings has been growing since 1922. This was when, under the initiative of Prof. Tadas Ivanauskas, bird protection campaigns and tree planting festivals began to be actively participated in by school youth.
During the post-war period, foresters invited students to participate in activities such as planting forests, maintaining seedlings, collecting tree and shrub seeds, setting up birdhouses, and performing other tasks in the forests.
The organized and methodically guided activities of Young Friends of the Forest clubs and school forestry units began in 1975. The activities of school forestry units were included in the extracurricular programs of schools.
In 2021, the Lithuanian State Forest Enterprise renewed the activities of the Young Friends of the Forest – coordinate it and carry out educational activities about forests. They invite all nature lovers who want to learn more about forestry and expand their knowledge about nature, forests, and their cultivation to join the club’s activities.
Currently, there are more than 70 Young Friends of the Forest clubs operating in Lithuania.
To join the gathering Young Friends of the Forest, please contact us via email at [email protected].
How to Establish a Young Friends of the Forest club?
WE INVITE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FOREST!
We present video clips that will allow you to discover the uniqueness of forests, introduce you to the animals found in forests and expand your knowledge about the profession of forestry and the Young Friends of the Forest gathering.
EXPLORE THE WORLD OF INSECTS
Naturalist Almantas Kulbis talks about insect species and their role in the ecosystem.
MAKE FRIENDS WITH ANTS
Naturalist Almantas Kulbis introduces the ant species found in Lithuania and talks about their lifestyle.
DISCOVER RARE BIRDS
Ornithologist Gediminas Petkus invites you to learn about bird species included in the Lithuanian Red Book and shares what makes them unique.
PHOTOGRAPH BIRDS
Nature photographer Romualdas Barauskas reveals the secrets and nuances of bird photography.