Module on the forest, for guides already trained (nature guides, tourist guides, hiking guides, etc.)

SRFB

The Société Royale Forestière de Belgique is a non-profit organisation founded in 1893 to serve the forest and foresters. It informs and trains foresters in sustainable, high-quality forestry. It pays particular attention to issues such as climate change, the role of forests as carbon sinks, the emergence of wood energy and new technologies, as well as the changes in environmental and societal functions demanded by society.

The SRFB's mission is also to raise awareness of the forest among the general public, through its Forest Friends programme: guided walks, events, teacher training and stands. To this end, the SRFB trains forest guides who pass on to the general public the vision of a multifunctional forest that meets public demand for a place of nature and leisure, as well as the need to produce wood sustainably, protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change. 

Course content

The trainers will present the multifunctional forest and its links with mankind, the one that provides us with multiple services and that it is important to respect. Forests provide us with oxygen and drinking water, store carbon, produce wood and protect biodiversity. It is a place to recharge our batteries, and a place for sporting and leisure activities. Every forest has a history, linked to the way of life of previous eras. It is constantly changing, but very slowly. It is both a victim of climate change and a solution for mitigating it.

The role of forest management is central: choosing the right tree species for the future, maintaining the paths, dividing up the areas according to various objectives (quiet areas, public areas, timber production areas). The forester ensures that there are always trees of all ages and that the stands are in good health, so that the forest is sustainable.

This systemic and humanist vision will be passed on to you.

Target concepts and skills

• History of the forest and links with mankind
• How the forest ecosystem functions
• Notions of plant physiology, pedology, phytosociology and forest flora and fauna
• Private and public forest stakeholders in Belgium
• Forestry cycle work (theory and practice)
• Educational activities or walks in the forest (theory and practice)
• Teaching resources on the theme of Man and the Forest

Programme

Dates and venue

Programme

A maximum of 15 participants will be accepted, to encourage discussion and active participation.

Days 1 and 2   
After a morning in the classroom, the activities on Saturday afternoon and Sunday will take place in the forest, to highlight what has been learnt in the field. The aim of this course is to enable participants to acquire the ability to «read» the forest and detect all the signs of plant, animal and human life.

Participants will learn to relate the forest landscape to human activities and natural phenomena, and to recognise forest species. An introduction to phytosociology will help them understand the concept of site and the importance of planting trees where conditions are best suited to them.

Day 3
Forestry initiation day

Day 4
A day focusing on pedagogy: presentation styles, teaching tools, games and animations.

Syllabus and teaching materials

As a syllabus, SRFB recommends the following book: « The illustrated life of the forest »By Bernard Fischesser, published by Delachaux et Niéstlé. The price is €25, and the SRFB will be placing a bulk order for those who wish to do so.

The SRFB does not provide a syllabus corresponding exactly to the content of the course. It will provide a list of books on the forest for the informed general public.

On the educational front, SRFB will provide a list of educational tools available for download from various websites (including all those it will be presenting to participants).

SRFB volunteering

At the end of their training, participants may decide to become SRFB volunteers. If they do so, they will have the opportunity to present a guided walk at a later date, in the spirit of a formative evaluation. More detailed information will be provided during the training course.

Rate

Payment information (Once your application has been accepted!) :

• Price of course with book: €500 (= €475 basic + €25 book)
• Payment by 03 April 2024 at the latest
• Account holder Société Royale Forestière de Belgique
• Account number : BE71 3100 4375 5069
• Communication: GF 2024 training + NAME first name

Practical information

MEETING PLACE
Gembloux, Jemeppe-sur-Sambre & Malonne

Registration

The day will be in french