Transnational Climate and Environmental Education for a Climate-Adapted Forest Future in the EUREGIO ZWK (EZWK - KlimaWald)
The cross-border project KlimaWald combines forest education, climate protection, and energy literacy with a strong regional focus. Its aim is to raise awareness of the forest's role as a renewable resource and a climate regulator through practical, modular educational programs for secondary schools, adults, and multipliers.
The goal of the KlimaWald project is to increase awareness of the role of forests in the context of climate change, sustainable energy production, and climate protection. Building on existing materials and findings, new educational programs and training resources will be developed, tested, evaluated, and embedded within the region. Young people are encouraged to reflect on their own behavior, while multipliers are provided with tools to facilitate reflection among others. The knowledge generated through the project will be disseminated far beyond the immediate project context.
Target Groups
The project is aimed primarily at secondary schools, adults, and multipliers (e.g., rangers, environmental educators, teachers, and municipal and district foresters). Planned activities include modular, location-independent educational formats, a shared set of teaching materials to be used on both sides of the border, and at least ten pilot activities (five in each country). In addition, an advanced training program for alumni of the climate educator qualification course and two curriculum-linked teacher training programs will be implemented.
Together with the project partners Bürgerstiftung Energiewende Oberland, Naturpark Karwendel, and Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), as well as through the involvement of Naturpark Tiroler Lech, Naturpark Ammergauer Alpen, and the District of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, KlimaWald will become a sustainable educational initiative for the Alpine region.
Approach
- Establishment and integration of cross-border educational partnerships focusing on climate change, forests, soils, and the sustainable use of natural resources.
- Systematic exchange of knowledge, methods, and experience among educational stakeholders from Tyrol and Bavaria, ranging from schools and environmental education institutions to municipal climate regions.
- Development of joint educational formats on climate resilience, forest transformation, and soil functions.
- Promotion of knowledge about sustainable forest management, biodiversity, and ecosystem services such as carbon (CO₂) sequestration and soil protection.
- Evaluation of the educational formats developed within the project.
- Training programs for non-formal nature educators, including concept development, planning, and implementation.
- Training programs for teachers, including concept development, planning, and implementation.
- Development of shared standards and approaches for protected area management and environmental education.
Partners
Adressierte SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
