6th graders learn about sustainable use of forests

The Finnish forest industry conglomerate United Paper Mills (UPM) is organising forest trips for sixth-grade pupils at its five mill sites in Jämsä, Kouvola, Pietarsaari, Rauma and Lappeenranta during August and September.

For the sixth year in a row, the excursions are organised in cooperation with the Finnish Forest Association and the 4H youth associations, said UPM in a press release on Monday.

The aim of the forest trip is to offer schoolchildren a hiking experience and to explain the sustainable use of commercial forests in an interesting way.

The excursions include expert-led activity trails to learn about wood growth and the carbon cycle, the forest as a recreation area, forest regeneration and planting, and the use of forests as a source for various wood-based products.

A total of 48 classes and around 1,023 students and teachers are expected to attend in the excursion.

"We want to give schoolchildren the opportunity to go on a trip and get them interested in forests and their role in society. The excursions will increase schoolchildren's understanding of the diverse use of forests, from everyman's rights to forest management and the manufacture of wood-based products", said Tuomas Kara, Environmental Manager at UPM Forest.

The activities of the forest trips are designed to support the environmental education content of the primary school curriculum: sustainable use of natural resources, forest management, biodiversity and climate change and mitigation.

"Getting to know commercial forests under the guidance of experts right at the beginning of the school year gives students a solid introduction to forests, which they can then easily continue to explore in a nearby forest or national park, for example. Teachers greatly appreciate the convenience of having the excursion schedules, transport and advance materials ready", said Sirpa Kärkkäinen, Senior Specialist, Forest Pedagogics at the Finnish Forest Association.