Experience tour through the Forstheide: Nature in focus for Amstettner students

Experience tour through the Forstheide: Nature in focus for Amstettner students

In the picturesque forestry of Amstetten, the students of the third school class of the private elementary school were offered an educational experience. Under the guidance of the experienced biologist Gudrun Schwarz, they set out on Wednesday morning to discover the treasures of nature very close.

The nature mediator pursues a clear goal: the children should explore the different habitats such as forest, meadow and river and understand what miracles are hidden directly on their doorstep. "It is important to me to bring the diversity and special features of nature closer to the young people," she explained enthusiastically. Part of the exploration was to collect natural materials. During this activity, the students learned to sort the collected leaves and flowers by colors and to identify the different plant species.

peculiarities of nature

The hike led the students through a themed path on which they learned the differences between young and mixed forests. Gudrun Schwarz also explained the Ybbs habitat and the importance of dead wood. "We also talked about the plants that bloom at this time of year. The colors of the leaves and the different tree species are important to understand the changes in the seasons," she added. Your method of addressing the different senses of the children - be it through the feeling of bark or smelling plants - promoted awareness of the natural environment.

annually Schwarz carries out around ten hikes that are free of charge, especially for schools in Amstetten. In view of the high demand, it now also offers programs for adults and families to share the knowledge and joy of nature. For the school class, the entire experience, including the train journey from Amstetten to Hausmening, was exciting and enriching.

"The children found the fire salamander that we discovered particularly impressive. His bright colors were fascinating," said a teacher. Discussions about edible and poisonous plants as well as responsibility to keep nature clean were among the most important learning content of the day. Through the questions and experiences on the hike, the children gave the children a deep understanding of nature relationships - an experience that certainly remains sustainable with them.