An informative seminar concerning an educational program «Village Ecology» was held on June 27, 2008 in the office of Silver Taiga Foundation. The program is included into the project «Forest Village» which is being implemented since April 1, 2008.

The seminar was attended by teachers of biology from the regions in which the «Forest Village» project is being implemented – Priluzje, Udora, Pechora, Ust-Kulom and Kaigorodok.

Аt the beginning project coordinator Yury Pautov presented Silver Taiga Foundation and the new project. Then Tatiana Kosolapova a teacher of biology, geography and ecology of Chernysh village school, Priluzje presented her authorial educational program «Village Ecology».

Tatiana elaborated the program under the Komi Model Forest Project which is being implemented in Priluzje region of Komi by Silver Taiga Foundation since 1997.
The program «Village Ecology» is for the students of the 6-7th form. It aims at formation if ecological culture of a person, development of ecological way of thinking, humane attitude towards the environment. The program has already been represented in different regional and republican seminars for teachers and in 2004 won in the all Russian competition «School – 2004» due to the national and regional component included into the program.

Thanks to «Village Ecology» students learn about the beginning of the village, its position in the landscape and about environment: forests, rivers and lakes, vegetation, animals, etc. It should be mentioned that according to the program students study not only in the class but also go to the excursions and visit specially prepared ecological routes.

Under the program students also take part in the village improvement. They plant trees and flowers, define pollution sources, keep valuable ecological, historical and cultural objects of the village – springs, monuments, landscape, etc.

Students’ parents also become interested and take part in the village improvement. It helps to unite people of the village and to create a positive emotional spirit.

According to the participants of the seminar it was a success due to the interested, active and open to innovations participants.

The next meeting will be held on August 22, 2008. By this time the teachers will examine the program, make notes and adapt the program to their region and school.

Tatiana Kosolapova invited the teachers to visit her lessons in September to learn the program in practice.