Project "Schools growing together with forests" established cross-sectoral forest education network among schools, forestry organisations and nature centres in Latvia, Norway and Sweden with the objective to produce inovative forest education materials and programs. It targeted both adults and youngsters: foresters, nature guides, teachers and pupils providing opportunities for formal and non-formal exchange of hands-on experience about forests and climate change. The project focussed on the problem of great demand for forest services and lack of common awareness about sustainabale forest education in Latvia, Sweden and Norway. During the project workshops were organized for representatives from different sectors and regions to discuss access problems to forests and create common understanding and new means for sustainable forest education. Workshops included foresters, researchers from institutes, adult educators, forest and education experts from public and private sector, teachers and pupils from primary and secondary schools.

The output of the project is jointly produced and approbated interdisciplinar education programs for forest camps in all three project countries and digitally published new Forest Education Guide about sustainable forest education in the region. Established Forest education network serves as a platform for further projects fostering cooperation and green growth in Baltics and Scandinavia.

There is another surplus outcome of the project – in honor of successful Nordplus cooperation, project partner - JSC "Latvijas valsts meži" (LVM) together with education experts from Nordic and Baltic region invited all project partners and other educators to participate in the first international teachers' forum "DABĀ/NATURE" in Latvia. It took place on August 14 and 15 in the Latvian State Forest Nature Park in Tērvete and was joined by more than 120 teachers – employees of education in natural sciences, technology, mathematics, health, culture and other fields. For two days, they explored themes published in “Forest education guide”, participated in practical workshops, listened to expert discussions, went on hikes, experienced an overnight stay in the forest and much more.

Forum in Latvia was attended by representatives from Norwegian Forestry extension institute "Skogkurs", the Finnish Forest Association and Swedish nature schools, as well as University of Latvia's Interdisciplinary Education Innovation Center (LU SIIC), Latvian National Guards and LVM. Līga Abizare, head of environmental education at LVM reflected at the closing discussion of forum that the most significant benefit of learning in nature is not only better success and health, but also higher self-assurance in current geopolitical turmoil. It is an opportunity for students to learn skills important for survival in nature to strengthen individual and national security. It is also a way to get to know the natural riches of forests by creating belonging to both Baltic and Nordic community.

LVM has been implementing environmental education in Latvian schools since 2005, involving around 20,000 pupils annually in forest cognition and providing free teaching materials for different age groups. More information about LVM school programs in Latvian can be found on website - skolam.lvm.lv. Additional information about the Nordic and Baltic cooperation: www.nordplusonline.org