Autumn is the season when nature generously provides us with its finest artistic palette. Typically, this time of year sparks creativity and the crafting of captivating autumn projects. Collecting fallen leaves not only offers us beautiful natural decorations but also provides us with creative ideas. IRCEF experts recently conducted a very amazing session named “Eco Craft from Fallen Leaves” for young nature lovers. Participants have the opportunity to let their creativity flow and immerse themselves in the essence of fall at this event. Oksana Kremin, IRCEF’s eco-trainer, guided the youngsters in creating joyful animals out of natural materials such as dried leaves and flowers. For a short period, they forgot about their daily problems and stresses regarding the ongoing war, immersing themselves in the creative process and connecting deeply with nature.
In the theoretical part of the workshop, the children solidified their understanding of leaf shapes, their adaptations, and various types of venation. Mrs. Oksana encouraged them to ponder critical questions such as, “Why is it harmful to burn leaves?”, “How can we compost fallen leaves?”, and “How can we minimize our ecological footprint and transform organic waste into a creative endeavor?” The eco-trainer went on to say, “If each of us contemplates our individual responsibility for the environmental state of our country, we can collectively reduce environmental pollution, even if just by a small amount.”
It’s worth noting that the class also gave youngsters the opportunity to discover nature in a new and intriguing way, emphasizing the beauty and diversity hidden inside every autumn leaf. As a result, this occurrence contributed to the development of a positive relationship with nature and a real desire to protect it. The ensuing eco-applications were quite stunning, with butterflies, owls, mushrooms, lions, squirrels, foxes, bears, and, most famously, hedgehogs. Everyone enjoyed the creative process, and the outcomes were fantastic!
The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Oksana Kremin,
Head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection at PADIUN and IERS expert
