As part of its commitment to promoting forest health and sustainability, the Slovenian Forestry Institute — a partner of the FORSAID project — hosted an educational event welcoming more than 400 children from nearby schools and kindergartens in May, 2025. The gathering featured 15 interactive workshops focused on forests, forestry and nature.

Among the highlights was the FORSAID-led workshop titled “Forest Pests,” where young participants explored the hidden world of bark beetles, invasive alien species and other forest pests. The hands-on session included a display of real pest specimens and demonstrations of the tools and traps used to monitor forest health. Children learned how scientists detect and manage pest outbreaks and why healthy forests are vital to our ecosystems.

To make the workshop especially memorable for its young audience, organisers added a fun twist: a plush pest scavenger hunt that encouraged children to apply their newfound knowledge in an engaging way. The workshop also featured colorful promotional materials from the FORSAID project, including stickers and a prominent project banner, as well as resources from EFSA’s #PlantHealth4Life campaign to further amplify awareness.

This successful event not only inspired curiosity and environmental stewardship among the next generation but also demonstrated how innovative outreach — including citizen science — plays a critical role in protecting Europe’s forests.