As part of the LIFE with Bison project, the Rewilding Romania team organized a series of educational workshops between 2024 and 2026 for pupils attending schools located within the European bison reintroduction area in the Țarcu Mountains. The Rewilding Romania team delivered these workshops through the national Green Week and Different School programs, as well as on other occasions throughout the three-year period. In total, more than 300 pupils from Armeniș, Cornereva, Teregova, Rusca, Feneș, and neighboring communities participated in the activities organized by the team.
The workshops were led by Rewilding Romania’s Education and Volunteer Officer, with support from the organization’s rangers and rewilding officers. Their aim was to increase knowledge about biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and the role of keystone species in nature.
Through interactive activities, games, and educational materials, pupils learned more about the wildlife of the Carpathian Mountains. They learned to identify the tracks and signs of various wild species and explored the relationships among plants, animals, and habitats. The workshops also helped them gain a better understanding of the natural processes that maintain balanced, healthy ecosystems.
A central topic of the workshops was the European bison and its ecological role in the natural landscapes of the Țarcu Mountains. Participants learned about the species’ biology, behavior, and contribution to maintaining habitats and biodiversity. The activities also aimed to increase pupils’ understanding of the presence of bison in the region and the importance of coexistence between local communities and wildlife.
Alongside nature-focused activities, some workshops offered educational elements for local development and sustainable entrepreneurship. To mark the traditional celebration of Mărțișor, around 200 pupils from Armeniș, Cornereva, and Teregova participated in creative activities inspired by local flora and fauna. Using handcrafted wooden Mărțișor decorations made from locally sourced timber, the children recognized representative species of the Țarcu Mountains and valued local artisanal products and nature-friendly business initiatives.
These activities deepened understanding of biodiversity and the role of wild species in ecosystems, and strengthened ties between local communities and the region’s natural heritage.
