Nature Therapy Walk "Paths of the Beaver and Otter"

We continue to engage children through interactions with nature.

The nature therapy walk "Paths of the Beaver and Otter," organized by the NGO ForestCom, the "Khotyn National Nature Park," and the "Mys Komariv" Eco Station for 8th-grade students from Kelmenev Lyceum, took place along the picturesque paths of the "Polyvanyv Yar" tract, which is part of the territory of the Khotyn National Nature Park.

The participants acquired teamwork skills, explored the evolutionary paths of animals, plants, and fungi, learned many interesting facts about the natural world through firsthand examples, and learned to observe and relax in nature.

As an environmentally oriented organization, we set ourselves the task of instilling nature conservation values in future generations. Therefore, our team constantly develops strategies to accomplish this goal. In order to cultivate a valuable attitude towards nature, we adhere to the following principles and approaches:

• Communication with nature should be safe and beneficial for both people and the environment.
• The natural environment is a source of knowledge, emotions, sensations, and a space for developing skills and abilities.
• Addressing ecological issues enriches the experience of connecting with nature and provides a sense of purpose.

Achieving our goal requires resources. The collaboration and mutual support demonstrated in organizing such events serve as an excellent example. On one hand, the Khotyn National Nature Park preserves nature and creates recreational infrastructure, with assistance in information and logistics from the "Mys Komariv" Eco Station. On the other hand, the teaching staff of Kelmenev Lyceum organizes children, parents, and transportation.

It is worth noting the special value of conducting such events as an invaluable resource for parents. This allows parents to spend quality time with their children, who are growing up every day, by going through experiences such as hiking, gathering and cooking treats in field conditions.

Every family and every region has their own concept of connecting with nature. For some, it may involve obtaining something useful from nature through fishing, gathering mushrooms or berries, hunting, and so on. For others, it may involve cooking food over a campfire or having picnics.

Experts from the NGO ForestCom complement and decode the understanding of activities that can be pursued in nature for personal benefit while caring for the environment.

This event is organized as part of the eco-educational activities of the project "Combating Illegal Logging in Ukraine," with the support of the International Programs Office of the U.S. Forest Service.