The Congress was organized by the Executive Forest Agency in Bulgaria in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the University of Forestry in Bulgaria and the Forest Pedagogics Subgroup under the Forest Communication Network.

Within the three congress days, participants were able to enlarge their knowledge and understanding on the crucial for whole Europe topic – forest fires, droughts and storms. They exchanged experience and ideas how to handle it through their forest pedagogic activities. In addition, the physiological aspects on how to present sensitive forest topics or matter that might be uncomfortable for the children`s mind or for the general public were also presented and discussed.

During the plenary session, the invited speakers presented in a high-level manner the different aspects of the Congress theme:

1. Resilient Forest Landscapes – A Challenge For Experts And Society - Assoc. Prof. Georgi Kostov PhD – University of Forestry, Sofia, Bulgaria;
2. Learning to live with fire: How wildfire is changing along with our climate and the important role of forest educators in wildfire prevention” - Edward Olson - German Forest Protection Society (SDW);
3. “Exploring the Perspectives and Challenges of Forest School Teachers Trainers in Developing Forest Pedagogy Approaches for Climate Change Education” - Moriya Netzer – School of Social Sciences at Haifa University;
4. Impact of Climate Change on Eco-Anxiety and Mental Health - Prof. Dr. Snezhana Ilieva, Prof. Dr. Sonya Karabeliova - SU "St. Kliment Ohridski".

During the small discussion groups and practical workshops, participants had been able to exchange ideas and to share professional experience. The hosts of the Congress had though not only for the productive work, but also for the pleasant experience of all participants and have prepared several side activities, that gave the chance to all foreign participants to feel Bulgarian spirit and culture, to taste traditional Bulgarian cuisine and to listen to the Bulgarian folklore music.

Photos from the 18^th European Forest Pedagogy Congress are available at following link: