Practical outdoor experience remains the most effective way for young people to understand environmental conservation. This was demonstrated during a recent forest protection workshop hosted at Pelister National Park, which brought together high school students from Bitola and Prilep, including pupils from “Taki Daskalo” High School in Bitola.
The visit was organized by the Association “Civic Trails” – Bitola in cooperation with Pelister National Park as part of the “Guardians of the Forests” initiative.
Field Activities and Experiential Learning
Moving beyond traditional classroom theory, participants engaged directly with the natural ecosystem as their classroom.
Program highlights included:
- Info Centre Guided Tour: An introduction to the park’s biodiversity, geological features, and natural history exhibits.
- Educational Field Hike: A guided walk to newly established Molika pine (Pinus peuce) stands to observe reforestation efforts up close.
- Expert Presentations: Educational sessions led by Pelister NP specialists detailing forest ecosystems, local wildlife diversity, and the critical role forests play in preventing soil erosion.
Fostering Environmental Leadership
Park experts emphasized that Pelister is far more than a recreational destination—it serves as an essential ecological resource and vital air filter for the entire region.
The core objective of the initiative is to inspire students to become active leaders in future environmental campaigns. Moving forward, participating high schoolers will create educational content showcasing the significance of the endemic Molika pine and raising public awareness around forest conservation.
The key takeaway from the initiative reinforces that forests represent a vital national asset, and their long-term protection is a shared responsibility.
