In Ivano-Frankivsk, the project “City Parks Matter – a new approach to urban greenery management in Ivano-Frankivsk and Rzeszów“ (acronym ParksMatter) continues with environmental education for children as one of its key priorities.
In September and October 2025, a series of environmental education events was organized for students from eight Ivano-Frankivsk schools. The activities took place in the city parks — Molodizhnyi Park, Taras Shevchenko Park, and Voyiniv-internatsionalistiv Park.
Each session combined learning, play, and creativity. At the beginning, children discovered the importance of urban parks and the roles they play in the lives of people and nature. During the eco-quest “Eco-Hunt,” children acted as real nature detectives searching for various natural elements: leaves, shades of green, bird tracks, forest sounds and smells. Using magnifying glasses, they explored the micro-world of the parks: tree bark, flowers, seeds, insects, and soil.
I really enjoyed searching for nature hints in the park — we were like real explorers! Now I know that even a simple leaf or a tiny stone can be part of nature’s big story.
The next activity was an art therapy session titled “Mandala from Nature”, during which children created beautiful artworks using leaves, acorns, flowers, and twigs. As part of the “Park of My Dreams” workshop, every child designed their ideal leisure space, bringing their ideas to life through drawings or small constructions.
The final stage was creating “postcards-wishes for the park” with personal promises to care for nature: not to litter, not to break branches, and to feed birds. All postcards were added to a collective “Tree of Good Wishes”, a symbol of responsible environmental behavior.
Such meetings teach children to see the park not just as a place to relax but as a living organism where everything is interconnected. This is how we shape ecological culture — through play, exploration, and creativity.
Similar eco-educational activities were also organised in the partner city of Rzeszów (Poland). During the summer, the project team visited five kindergartens. More than 650 children took part in engaging outdoor lessons, discovering the world of urban nature — trees, birds, insects, and surrounding greenery. In autumn, 350 primary school students took on the role of young nature explorers.
Environmental awareness begins in childhood. Through such initiatives, we teach children to understand the value of urban green zones and to treat nature responsibly. Parks are not just a recreation space, but an important area for preserving biodiversity and ensuring residents’ well-being. By fostering children’s love and respect for the environment, we build the foundation for sustainable development of our city.
More information about the ParksMatter project can be found HERE.
