International Forestry
Program description
The contracting period of the project is: 1/09/2015-31/08/2017
The International Forestry program (financed from the Erasmus+ KA02 program budget) started in the autumn of 2015. The coordinator institute of the project is the Vocational Education Centre Sedu (Koulukatu 41, FIN-60100 Seinäjoki, Finland).
THE OUTCOMES
The aim of the project is to create a curriculum for vocational training that is called International Forestry. Each participant country has to implement the study curriculum in their schools and disseminate the material nationally. Every school will create a forestry eLearning module. As part of the International forestry curriculum we will also create a real life extensive course carried out on the spot (Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Hungary, Austria) in English for students from the participating countries. The mobility part of the module will concentrate on national forestry and it will be designed for the foreign students. We will also create a template for expert visits in our schools alongside with the students’ visits. With each country’s contribution we will establish the curriculum called International Forestry.
The e-learning material is available online in English. The material covers modules in connection with forestry and nature, nature conservation. Each participant country manages one module. This means that the participants prepare and co-ordinate their own e-learning materials.
The modules are the following:
The structure of International Forestry unit:
1. e-Learning module
2. Outdoor recreation – Forests in Focus.
3. The national parks. National parks are extensive nature conservation areas with the major task of ensuring biodiversity and giving people the opportunity to relax and enjoy nature. Country specific features of national parks in Austria, Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Hungary.
4. Everyman’s rights: Austria, Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Hungary. Finland and Hungary in charge of section A.
Hungary’s contribution to the e-learning module: preparing learning material about national parks, elaboration of the national park topic structure with questions that can be used as guidelines while collecting information in the participant countries.
We set up the most important viewpoints and basic information in connection with national parks that are independent from location. This means every country can use these guidelines while giving information about national parks. These were: the aim of national parks, typical data of national parks (area, year of foundation etc.) and measures of biological diversity, description of local natural and cultural specialties.
1. Forest typology (Estonia)
Decisions about forest management on national and international level are based on the sum of stand parameters in the country. The Estonian partner will give the approach of Estonian forest typology, with a comparison to partner countries on the basis of information they provide on types.
1. Sustainable use of Forests (Austria)
The term “sustainable forest management“ can be defined as “the permanent and optimized use of all forest-related goods allied with the increase of the beneficial and welfare function of forests for present and future generations.”
Forests are very sensitive ecosystems. Thus, it has to be kept in mind that only a regenerative forest can fulfill the requirements of sustainability. An exclusive environmentally friendly use of forests leads to success in the sense of sustainability. However, hard-to-reach areas, unfavorable weather conditions, and the fact that technical devises and equipment are restricted in their use can complicate a sustainable management. The progress on the field of technology facilitates the work, thus enabling a moderate but steady regeneration. Alongside timber production forests also serve as air filters, oxygen producers, reservoirs, protection, habitats and many more. Only a sustainable forest management can form a basis for future multi-functional forests.
1. Preparing for study period abroad – Special attention to work safety in the field of forestry. (Sweden)
Besides creating an e-learning material the project has a mobility program, too. During the mobility program 4 students plus 1 or 2 teachers of each participant country travels to each location (each school of the participants) where they spend a week. During the 5-day program the students achieve practical knowledge.
The practical modules of the countries are the following:
2. Modules of International mobility programs
The practical training contains the following field of education:
1) Austria: Timber management on hardly accessible areas
2) Estonia: Practical forest management topics with field works
3) Finland: Valuable forest habitats
4) Hungary: Traditional forestry mechanics
5) Sweden: Safety regulations about chainsaw work and clearing saw work. Students receive chain saw driver’s licence.
3. The program template for visiting teaching staff and other specialists in the field of forestry
This will support national forest industry as well as provide schools and companies a common platform for co-operation which serves both the interests of schools and companies.
Programs as planned:
1. Transnational project meeting in Finland. (October 2015)
Tasks: Goals, administrative and financial aspects to be clarified. A common structure for the eLearning module in international forestry. Forest industry expert (Metsä Group) to be invited for contribution based on the needs of the working life.
2. According to the drafted plan, each partner will produce a module for the internet based learning module on the topic agreed.