As part of a collaboration between Model Forest Istria and FSC International (Adria Balkan), a new educational resource has been developed: the Forest Knowledge Boxes—a series of five thematic booklets aimed at improving forest education and awareness among young people.
The five booklets address the following topics:
- What is a forest?
- Diversity of forests and trees
- The magnificent benefits of forests
- Forest products and resources
- Let’s save our forests!
The content is presented in an accessible and engaging format that encourages active learning. Each booklet features hands-on activities, interactive exploration, “Did You Know?” facts, multimedia resources, and a quiz to test and reinforce learning in a fun way.
Designed for students aged 12 to 17, the materials support both independent learning and integration into high school curricula. The Forest Knowledge Boxes were developed in close cooperation with teachers and students from schools in Pula (a coastal city) and Delnice (a forested region in Croatia). Their feedback was essential in shaping the interactive elements, including keywords and quiz formats.
In addition to the interactive pdf version, the booklets are also available in PowerPoint format, making it easier for teachers to present the material in classrooms and explore forest-related topics collectively with their students.
Originally developed to address a gap in forest-related educational materials in the Croatian language, the Forest Knowledge Boxes have also been translated into English, allowing for wider use and dissemination beyond Croatian borders. This makes the tool a valuable resource not only for the Mediterranean Model Forest Network but also for international educators, forest professionals, and youth engagement initiatives.
The materials are free and publicly available for download at the following links:
We encourage all members of the Mediterranean Model Forest Network, as well as educators and forestry professionals across regions, to explore and share this resource.
