Having worked in the field of environmental and climate education in Ukraine for over 10 years, Olha Lavryk wanted to learn more about best practice in this field from other countries and gather inspiration. In September 2020, she received a scholarship from the German Federal Environmental Foundation to work at the Stuttgart-based organisation Haus des Waldes – a forest pedagogy institution renowned for its environmental education in Germany. As a research fellow, she analysed best practice in climate change in Germany and the possibility of using urban parks as climate education hubs in Ukraine. She also studied how forest pedagogy contributes to climate education for different target groups.

Forest pedagogy for psychological and ecological recovery

After her research fellowship, Olha Lavryk relocated to Ukraine to work at the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park. But in April 2022, soon after the war in Ukraine began, she returned to Haus des Waldes. She had the idea to offer forest therapy for Ukrainian children who were in the country as a result of the war. Following a camp approach, the children spent five days in a forest and got to know each other, played games and built a bonfire. They also learned about the importance of forests. This idea was received very well by the children and parents too.

Since November 2022, Olha has been engaged as an environmental education manager at the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park in Kyiv. The Holosiivsky National Nature Park is a protected remnant of forest surrounded by the urban area of the city of Kyiv. It covers an area of about 10,988 hectares and is managed by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

In this role, she evaluates residents’ knowledge of the Park and its role in climate change mitigation and adaptation. She aims to make the topic of climate change and the role of Holosiivsky National Nature Park in climate regulation and biodiversity conservation tangible for children and adults through concept development and implementation of the thematic programmes, trainings, quests and exhibitions.

Climate education and forest pedagogy are at the initial stage of development in Ukraine. “I apply the knowledge gained in Germany and develop educational programmes for schoolchildren and park visitors,” shares Olha on her work.

Olha Lavryk’s engagement as a returning expert is funded by the GIZ Programme Migration & Diaspora on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).