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Description
This project intends to support veteran trees in the country through the series of environmental education activities. We want to achieve this by addressing single activities to the particular target groups they may be involved in the veteran trees and dead wood management in open country, villages and especially in private gardens and orchards.
The main activities covered by the project are a media campaign to inform the general public about the project aims; to provide information we want to create a practical publications for teachers, the general public as well as Public Administration employees; further to involve young population to this theme, we want to create an educational program for schools; we want to share practical information for public administration and mayors of municipalities by organising conferences for the professional public; involving teachers and students by conferences for teachers; the call to action for general public will start by a photo competition followed by other environmental education events.
Summary of project results
Old, massive trees, with their cracks, cavities, and peeling bark, are vital habitats for many species, including those that are endangered. Paradoxically, the veteran stage of a tree''s life is its most valuable for biodiversity. These ancient trees decay slowly, providing essential shelter and resources for numerous organisms. To sustain this delicate ecosystem, it''s crucial to maintain a variety of trees at different ages and stages of decay in places like alleys, orchards, public parks, and even private gardens.
In this project, we focused on redefining the way we perceive old trees. Our goal was to highlight the positive impact these trees have on our landscape and to promote their significance in fostering biodiversity.
In the first phase, we launched a photo competition to explore how ordinary Czechs perceive old trees. The contest provided us with a rich collection of images, which we then used to create the Veteran Trees exhibition. This exhibition showcases the most captivating stories from each year, complemented by aesthetic elements of "old wood" that challenge the long-held stereotype of old trees as undesirable.
Recognizing that old trees deserve more than just discussion and display, we organized a series of hands-on activities centred around them. Participants got to know the structure and properties of wood and had the opportunity to create decorative objects from decomposing wood, forging a personal connection with a specific piece of wood and becoming part of its story.
We also involved students from primary and secondary schools in a more immersive way, developing and testing an environmental education program. This program emphasizes the understanding of old trees as living organisms that outlive us and endure many challenges over their long lifespans.
To further extend this topic, we hosted two conferences for primary and high school teachers, as well as environmental education lecturers. These sessions focused on the methodology and principles of teaching about old trees, offering practical tools for integrating this topic into their classrooms.
For the professional community, we partnered with other organizations to host a national conference. This event brought together representatives from tree management organizations and municipalities, providing a platform to share experiences and strategies aimed at reducing the unnecessary removal of biotopes associated with veteran trees.
The photo competition received more than 400 images from 326 authors, of which we selected 40 finalists. We also produced a series of radio reports for Czech Radio, and published articles in Bedrník and Naše Příroda magazines. Our two conferences for teachers and professionals attracted more than 200 participants. We published two identification guides in both English and Czech, with 5,200 copies printed. Our events about old trees attracted almost 25,000 visitors and the documented reach of the project exceeds 426,000 people.
This project has strengthened the positive perception of veteran trees and their role in our landscape. It significantly shifted public views, transforming the perception of old trees from being seen as inappropriate or dangerous to recognizing them as an integral and necessary part of our environment. Among students, teachers, gardeners, and landowners, the project deepened understanding of the importance of veteran trees—not just for their aesthetic value but as a vital part of the ecosystem. Additionally, it fostered collaboration between professional organizations focused on tree care and municipalities responsible for managing public green spaces. Looking ahead, this project lays a strong foundation for the harmonious coexistence of people and old trees in both public and private spaces.