The 'Learning about Forests' (LEAF) programme is the most recent Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) initiative operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce.

Learning about Forests is an international programme that aims to encourage schools, classes and teachers to use forests for educational activities. The aim is to support teachers and pupils to go to forests, learn from them and in them, and to learn further by sharing experiences internationally. The programme works as an internet-based network between participating countries. Over ten countries across Europe are currently actively involved. The Learning about Forests programme is inspired by the experiences of established programmes in Finland, Norway and Sweden, where forest-based industries have co-operated with independent national school programmes for more than 25 years.

In Ireland the programme was piloted during the 2001-2002 school year in order to assess the possibilities and feasibility of the LEAF programme in an Irish educational context.

Also check out the international Learning About Forests website at http://www.learningaboutforests.org.

To learn about the pilot phase of the project, click here.

For more information on Learning About Forests, please contact:

Michael-John O'Mahony, LEAF Manager
An Taisce, 5A Swift’s Alley, Francis Street, Dublin 8
Tel: 01 400 2202 Fax: 01 454 1802 E-mail: education@antaisce.org