We are pleased to announce that 13 schools have been selected as the finalists of the "Create a Baby Forest" contest. Find out below what the finalists' plans are and what they will be implementing.
We remind you that this contest took place within the "Let's Grow a Forest. Educate the #ForestGeneration" project, financed by the USDA Forest Service International Program, and implemented by the National Environmental Center Moldova, with the general goal of promoting the implementation of the National Forest Expansion and Rehabilitation Program through education and awareness campaigns for the younger generation.

BRANCH: RĂSCĂIEȚII NOI GYMNASIUM, ȘTEFAN VODĂ DISTRICT

Răscăieții Noi Gymnasium, located in the village of Răscăieți, is situated in close proximity to the Lower Nistru National Park. The school building is positioned on a hillside at the edge of the village, near three ponds. The degraded land adjacent to the gymnasium has been cultivated and fenced. Five years ago, a School Garden was established on this plot of land where berries and various flower species were planted.

As part of the "School Garden" project, the "Green Palms" team, composed of students and teachers from the gymnasium, has gained extensive experience in organizing environmental protection activities. They are now eager to learn how to create and subsequently care for a forest from scratch.

"We already have a plot of agricultural land protected from hill rodents, and we have also installed a compost bin," says Maria Goian, the local project coordinator. "Thanks to this competition, students will expand their theoretical and practical knowledge regarding planting and caring for trees, so that in years to come they can bring their own children and, why not, grandchildren to the forest that they themselves created."

ION CREANGĂ GYMNASIUM, CĂLĂRAȘI

The Public Institution Ion Creangă Gymnasium in Călărași, Republic of Moldova, is a community of 159 students, 16 teachers, and 117 parents. The locality is situated in the heart of the Central Codri forest, 51 kilometers from Chisinau, on the left bank of the Bîc River, near the Plaiul Fagului Nature Reserve. The soil is primarily composed of chernozem, which allows for the cultivation of any crop without artificial fertilization. However, many areas are susceptible to landslides.
“We intend to create a team called 'Forest Guardians' – composed of students, teachers, and parents – who will be responsible not only for planting, caring for, and monitoring the newly planted trees but also for continuously informing the community about the importance of protecting forest resources. This is one of the primary measures for preventing landslides,” says Iulia Lozinschi, the local project coordinator.

“Our institution has an adjacent area where we could plant and grow a 'Baby Forest'. Alternatively, we are ready to adopt a section of forest located 700-1000 meters away, in an area prone to landslides. We are confident that our institution’s involvement in the project 'Let's Grow a Forest. Educating the Forest Generation' will strengthen the school's role in the community and contribute to the development of a healthier environment and more conscious attitudes towards forests,” concludes Iulia Lozinschi.

ION CREANGĂ GYMNASIUM, MICLEUȘENI VILLAGE, STRĂȘENI DISTRICT

Ion Creangă Gymnasium in Micleușeni aims to educate young people and the community about the crucial role of forests and to actively involve them in conservation and protection initiatives. According to the local project coordinator, Lilia Jardan, in addition to planting and caring for a young forest, the project aims to mobilize the community through information and awareness campaigns: "Together with the students, we will prepare video clips about the negative impact of illegal deforestation, as well as an online promotion campaign, so that our team of volunteers becomes digital ambassadors for forests."

MINGIR GYMNASIUM, HÎNCEȘTI DISTRICT

The Public Institution Mingir Gymnasium has a 3-hectare undeveloped plot of land that the implementation team plans to utilize. This area served as a research laboratory for the institution's students for many years, but since the 1990s, the space has been deteriorating.

"Together with the 'Eco-Guard' team, composed of our students and community volunteers, we will afforest this area so that in the future we can conduct outdoor biology, geography, science, technology, and other classes," says Lilia Bordeianu, the local project coordinator. "The educational equipment available at the institution will facilitate the research of natural components in a real-world setting for interdisciplinary projects. We also have the advantage of cooperating with the local radio station Pro Mingir, with whose support we intend to implement a broad information campaign on the protection and conservation of forest resources."

FĂLEȘTII NOI GYMNASIUM, FĂLEȘTI DISTRICT

The commune of Făleștii Noi includes two localities: Făleștii Noi and Pietrosul Nou. The gymnasium serves 350 students from nine surrounding localities: Făleștii Noi, Pietrosul Nou, Doltu, Sarata Noua, Hitrești, Făgădău, Șoltoaia, Gara Fălești, and the town of Fălești."We aim to plant trees on a plot of land near the local lake that is at risk of landslides," says Elena Jitari, the local project coordinator. "To ensure the quality and sustainability of the young forest, we will conduct a land survey and obtain the necessary permits. All interested parties will be involved in the forest creation process: students, teachers, village residents, representatives of local public administration, entrepreneurs, etc. We will focus on mobilizing the entire community to develop a culture of volunteering at the local level and to foster environmentally friendly attitudes and habits, especially among young people."

"Moreover, since our institution serves young people from several localities, our information and awareness campaigns will have a much broader impact than just the commune of Făleștii Noi," adds Elena Jitari.

ALEXANDRU CEL BUN THEORETICAL LYCEUM, REZINA

For the residents of Rezina, the opportunity to create a forest means cleaner air. This is stated by Marina Donțu, the local project coordinator who founded the team "I Care! Long Live BEBE!" which will be planting trees on a plot of land adjacent to Alexandru cel Bun Lyceum: "The cement factory and the metallurgical plant in Rîbnița leave obvious marks on the environment. Together with the students, we will awaken the civic spirit of the entire community, so that not only the #ForestGeneration but also their descendants will find themselves under the forest canopy, and each seedling planted will be part of their lives."
The project also includes organizing clean-up activities both on the land to be afforested and in adjacent areas.

BOCANI GYMNASIUM, FĂLEȘTI DISTRICT

The project will start with a series of lessons and training sessions for students, focusing on the importance of forest resources and the role of each individual in protecting the environment. The implementation team will collaborate with local forestry specialists to provide detailed training on tree planting and care techniques.
"We, the 'Eco-Foresters' team, aim to educate and inspire young people to become guardians of the environment by directly participating in planting and caring for a young forest," says Ruslan Crețu, the local project coordinator. "We want to encourage environmental education and the active involvement of students in the conservation and expansion of forest areas in our region, in line with the objectives of the National Afforestation Program. The highlight of the project will be in November, when we will plant a 'baby forest' together on an area of 2 hectares, in close collaboration with local authorities and the community. Our participation in the competition is not limited to planting trees, but is an opportunity to educate and train a generation of responsible citizens who are aware of the importance of forest conservation."

RĂCULEȘTI GYMNASIUM, CRIULENI DISTRICT

In Criuleni district, the commune of Răculești has the lowest forestation rate, at only 9.8%. Research conducted by the local forester has shown that in recent years, some species of floodplain trees and plants have been on the verge of extinction. This situation is due to illegal logging, lack of public awareness, and consequently, a reduced interest in planting new trees.

"Increasing the forestation rate is one of our main objectives for the next 10 years, an objective that also aligns with the National Afforestation Program, initiated by the President of the Republic of Moldova in 2021," says Olesea Sclifos, the local project coordinator. "Cooperation with the local forester and mayor will motivate the young members of the 'Teen Dream' team to appreciate forest resources, but more importantly, to know how to care for them properly. We definitely intend to inform the locals about these things through informative signs and panels."

IGOR CREȚU KINDERGARTEN AND GYMNASIUM, GĂVĂNOASA VILLAGE, CAHUL DISTRICT

The project proposes solutions to increase and protect forest areas, focusing on the quality and sustainability of the initiative. Planting diverse species of trees, shrubs, and flowers will contribute to the rehabilitation of degraded lands and the maintenance of ecological balance. Within the project, digital tools will be used for promotion and education. Students will create online presentations and educational materials about the importance of forests, which will be distributed on digital platforms and on the school's website, ensuring greater visibility and accessibility.

"Young people will not only be involved in planting and caring for forests but also in promoting the protection of forest resources, especially in the online environment. For the 'TikTok' generation, this is the most suitable environment to 'infect' each other with environmental protection topics, and we hope that our educational materials about forests will have a positive impact on the audience," says Fedosova Oxana, the local project coordinator.

CONSTANTIN STAMATI-CIUREA THEORETICAL LYCEUM, CARACUȘENII VECHI VILLAGE, BRICENI DISTRICT

Constantin Stamati-Ciurea Theoretical Lyceum aims to redesign the park established in the adjacent area by planting coniferous cultures that have curative properties for both humans and the environment. The air in coniferous forests is saturated with phytoncides - substances capable of destroying harmful microorganisms, and needles and resin are widely used in folk medicine.

"The advantage of this project is that we will benefit from oxygenated air. Feeling the positive effects on their health, students will have a much more caring attitude towards the newly planted trees, as well as towards nature in general," says Ina Didic, the local project coordinator. "To ensure positive changes at the level of mentality and behavior, we will conduct an initial, intermediate, and final evaluation, which will involve all members of the community who usually visit this park," concludes Ina Didic.

REGELE MIHAI GYMNASIUM, CIMIȘENII VILLAGE, CRIULENI DISTRICT

The project's activities focus on planting trees and organizing educational events about the importance of protecting the environment.
"The project started from the desire to reconnect students and the community with nature and local traditions, with the aim of promoting environmental education and strengthening intergenerational ties," say Arina Dirvici and Lilia Ceban, the local project coordinators. "We intend to establish close cooperation between the Student Council, the Local Council, the Commune's Mayor's Office, and the Forestry Department to select tree species suitable for the soils and to ensure that the planted trees will receive adequate protection, care, and attitude from all members of the community: from students to the mayor."

ANTON GUZUN GYMNASIUM, BULBOACA VILLAGE, ANENII NOI DISTRICT

According to the local coordinator, Silvia Bîrca, creating a forest is just one step in the ongoing effort of the Anton Guzun Public Gymnasium to ensure the health and well-being of students and all school employees: "The direct and indirect incorporation of nature elements into our school will significantly contribute to improving sleep, reducing stress and negative emotions, stimulating thinking, attention, memory, and creativity."

"We aim to increase the level of awareness and responsibility among the residents of Bulboaca village, not only towards nature in general but primarily towards the climate changes that are being felt more and more acutely in our country. We want to inspire a commitment at the level of the entire community towards sustainable practices and a collective understanding of the vital role that forests play in protecting the environment."

MALCOCI GYMNASIUM, IALOVENI DISTRICT

The advantages of involving educational institutions in the "Let's Grow a Forest. Educate the #ForestGeneration" project consists primarily in raising awareness among the younger generation about the environment, which will contribute to maintaining the forest vegetation in the Codrii scientific reserve and reducing air pollution. This is the opinion of Tatiana Puiu, the local project coordinator.

"The village of Malcoci, Ialoveni district, is a village located on the edge of the Codri with a picturesque location, which, however, the villagers are destroying through agricultural activities and the construction of houses, therefore the desire to change the attitude of students and residents towards the environment is paramount. We believe that planting and caring for trees by the villagers themselves will bring about this change," says Tatiana Puiu.