Ministry of Agriculture and Foods
Executive Forest Agency
Ministry of Agriculture and Foods
Executive Forest Agency
This is the motto of the 18th European Forest Pedagogic Congress. It will take place in Yundola, close to Velingrad town in Bulgaria and will be hosted by Executive Forest Agency in Bulgaria in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the University of Forestry in Bulgaria.
Focus of the Congress
In the three congress days, full with lectures, workshops, and activities directly in the forest all the participants will be able to deal with the most recent forest pedagogy matter. They will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges among the forest pedagogues, related to working and presenting the problems of forests stressed by natural disturbances, such as fires, drought and storms.
The impact of the climate change will also be а topic of discussion. Main aspect of all discussions will be how to present and implement forest pedagogy activities related to this important for the whole society issue. Keynote speakers are invited to present different aspects of the theme, and also to moderate small working spaces, in which, the participants will be able to discuss and propose various ways to deal with these challenges, as well as to communicate and present them through forest pedagogy activities. In addition, the physiological aspects on how to present sensitive forest topics or matter that might be uncomfortable for the children`s mind or for the general public will also be discussed.
The hosts of the Congress have though not only for the productive work, but also for the pleasant experience of all participants and have prepared several side activities, that will give the chance to all foreign participants to feel Bulgarian spirit and culture, to taste traditional Bulgarian cuisine and to listen to the Bulgarian folklore music.
An optional excursion to the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula is also proposed for those who decide to stay a day longer in Bulgaria or to leave the country late in the evening.
The registration will open on the 1st of May 2024 and will close two months later on 30th of July.
Location
The Congress will be held in the student campus of the Training and Experimental Forest Range (TEFR) "G. St. Avramov", Yundola village.
Yundola is a mountain village in Southern Bulgaria, located at 1400 m above sea level on the territory of Velingrad municipality, Pazardzhik region. It is located 16 km northwest of the town of Velingrad and 20-30 km from the town of Yakoruda. The relief is typically mountainous - the area is a saddle point through which the natural border between the Rila and Rhodope mountains passes. The natural conditions and bioclimatic factors in the area classify Yundola as a mountain climate resort. The opportunities for recovery in nature, recreation and tourism in a forest environment are extremely good.
TEFR "G. St. Avramov" has been a base for scientific activity and scientific research of the Forestry University since 1926.
The Forestry University student campus "Yundola" offers 12 double rooms with an extra bed, 37 triple rooms to accommodate its guests. The complex is extremely suitable for conducting of seminars, trainings and others.
In the surroundings of Yundola, you can enjoy the wonderful nature following the various options for half-day or full-day routes that can be done on foot, by mountain bike, by vehicle or combined. Guests can also take advantage of the services of the horse base in the "Starina" area, as well as the places for picnics and outdoor games in the Hunting Fence, in the town of Filibeliyska Polyana, the town of Banyata, the town of Torishka and others remarkable corners of the area.
Theme of the Congress:
“European Forests stressed by Fire, Drought and Storm – A challenge for Forest Pedagogy!”
