In the outskirts of Athens, the capital city lacking parks and gardens, a forestry school has been established to reconnect young children with nature. Among the initial findings: an improvement in their cognitive development. In the Middle East, there is a specific program engaging students in several countries. The project has been named "Biodiversity at School, Biodiversity in School."
In Athens, where only a few trees and rare parks remain, the question of children's relationship with nature arises. Studies have shown that the lack of contact with the natural environment can harm their physical health and cognitive development. Playing in nature, according to research, boosts creativity and enhances problem-solving skills. Educator Vasiliki Kampilakou, aware of this deficiency, founded the first forest school for young children in 2005 in Dionysos, Attica.
The project "Biodiversity at School, Biodiversity in School" mobilizes students from the Middle East. Through concrete actions and collaborative exchanges, these young actors learn to understand and preserve the richness of the nature that surrounds them. This promising initiative represents an important step in the fight against the decline of biodiversity and climate change.
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