Educating the environment
Serre Park's environmental education program
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Three years of growth, participation and training in Calabrian schools
Over the past three school years, the Serre Regional Natural Park has consolidated “Educating the Environment,” an educational program aimed at schools of all levels, created to bring students closer to knowledge of the territory and ecological culture.
Launched in 2023, the program has reached thousands of students and involved numerous institutions in the provinces of Vibo Valentia, Catanzaro and Reggio Calabria, becoming one of the most structured educational initiatives promoted by a protected area in Calabria.
Project Goals.
“Educando all’Ambiente” was created with the aim of raising awareness of the naturalistic richness of the Serre and promoting responsible behavior toward the environment.
The path guides students to discover the Park’s biodiversity, its forests, ecosystems and their natural history. Activities include classroom meetings, thematic workshops, guided tours, immersive outdoor experiences, and concluding days at symbolic places in the area.
The project also strengthens collaboration between schools, families and local communities, creating a direct link with the protected area and its conservation activities.
The results of the past three years
School year 2022-2023
The first edition kicks off in March 2023 and immediately involves a large number of institutions in the provinces of Vibo Valentia and Catanzaro. About 1,200 students participate in the activities, from primary, secondary, and high schools.
The project concludes with a day dedicated to Serra San Bruno – Santa Maria del Bosco, which brings together students from the various locations and consolidates the identity of the program. Participating schools include ITI Vibo Valentia, Liceo Classico “Morelli,” Istituto Alberghiero Soverato, Convitto “Filangieri,” Liceo “Einaudi,” IC Fabrizia-Cassari-Mongiana-Nardodipace, IC Chiaravalle, IC “Murmura,” IC Soriano-Sorianello-Gerocarne and IC “Vespucci” Vibo Marina, among others.
School year 2023-2024
The second edition marks an important geographical expansion: the project reaches schools in all three provinces of the Park and involves 29 school centers, for a total of 146 classes and 1,718 students. Participation extends to both primary and secondary schools, confirming the program’s ability to reach inland areas and outlying centers.
The initiative thus establishes itself as a structured, recognized and stable environmental education tool.
School year 2024-2025
The third edition represents the highest level of participation to date. Participating are 10 schools, 32 centers, 178 classes and 1,768 students, belonging to primary, secondary and high schools.
Along with classroom lectures, the program integrates hikes in the Serre’s ancient forests, outdoor hands-on activities, science workshops and concluding days at the Park’s most interesting natural and cultural sites.
The balance of three years
In just three years, “Educating to the Environment” has involved a total of 4,686 students, distributed in more than 400 classes and from more than 50 educational institutions.
The activities carried out range from the recognition of biodiversity to the discovery of geology, from climate education to the knowledge of the forests, waters and landscapes of the Serre.
The Serre Regional Natural Park thus confirms itself as a permanent educational laboratory, committed to educating new generations on the most urgent environmental issues: biodiversity protection, climate change, sustainable management of natural resources, conservation of forests, water and ecosystems.
A path that continues
The program continues into the 2025-2026 school year, with the introduction of new educational modules dedicated to wildlife, forest bathing and environmental wellness, Serre geology, climate education, and the cultural history of the area.
Interested schools can join through the forms available in the dedicated section of the Park’s website.