In today’s world, environmental education is becoming increasingly relevant. Children and teenagers involved in nature initiatives not only gain knowledge about the environment but also develop a sense of responsibility for the world around them. One of the important directions in this field is the study of the nature of Southern Polissya, particularly insects and birds that inhabit this unique region. Below, we describe two events that contributed to children’s environmental education. 

Workshop on Insects: Research and Practical Skills 

On February 28, 2025, a workshop titled “Insects of Southern Polissya” was held at the People’s High School “Vovchok” (Chernihiv region, Ukraine). The participants, together with scientist Yuriy Protsenko, learned about the life of insects, their role in nature, and ways to protect them. Additionally, they created special insect houses with their own hands, contributing to biodiversity conservation. 

Journey to “Mezhyrichynska Pushcha”: Forest Ecosystems and Their Inhabitants 

On December 22, 2024, children from the village of Vovchok visited the nature center “Mezhyrichynska Pushcha,” where they were guided by Andriy Sahaidak, a scientist, museum specialist, and author of the book “The Lost World of Polissya: Nature and People of the Great Swamps.” He led an engaging tour through the world of Polissya, explaining the features of forest ecosystems, bird life, and plant diversity in the region. 

This journey was a great opportunity for children to see the natural treasures of Polissya and understand the importance of their preservation. The participants explored different forest zones, observed birds, and even applied the knowledge they had gained in previous environmental activities. 

Meeting with a Lithuanian Architect 

Recently, project participants met with Lithuanian architect Tomas Butkus. He shared his experience in creating public spaces and conducted a consultation for the children’s group of the “Trees – Living Bird Feeders” project. Tomas emphasized that every space should be unique and tell its own story, taking into account local culture and nature. 

The main goal of the children’s project is to create a natural eco-space in the center of Vovchok village, which will serve as a hub for environmental education and research. We hope that this project will unite the community and provide the village with a new favorite place for children and teenagers. The children have a designated area of 0.5 hectares in the very center of the village. They plan to plant several dozen saplings, create an “insect hotel,” install information signs, and prepare the space for summer ecological activities. 

The events were part of the large-scale project “Trees – Living Bird Feeders of Vovchok” by the People’s School Vovchok, implemented with the support of Ecoaction, Austausch e.V., and Bread for the World.