European Stage Contest 2010-2011

The European, Final Stage of the YPEF 2010/2011 International Contest took place on 28^th-29^th of September 2011 in Ruciane-Nida/Ryn, Poland. Teams from Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia participated in the final competition (test and presentation) of the YPEF contest.

		Winners are: Anna Kemenes, Zsolt Pásztori, Gergely Ujvari from Baar Madas Reformatus Gimnazium, Hungary! Teacher: Mr. David Vetlenyi.
		Second place goes to: Monika Ciupak, Karol Rokita and Maciej Turek from Zespół Szkół Ogólnokształcących nr 2 im. F.D. Kniaźnina w Puławach, Poland! Teachers: Mrs.Marzena Górecka and Mrs. Halina Pytlak.
		Third place goes to: Edgars Iecelnieks, Nils Fridriksons and Arturs Mikelens from Ogre Forestry School, Latvia! Teacher: Mrs. Solvita Krodziniece.
		Fourth place goes to: Johanna Köttsdorfer, Johanna Steinberger, Stefan Pusterhofer and Jürgen Gasser from Technical Forestry High School Bruck an der Mur, Austria! Teacher: Mrs Bettina Gailberger
		Special award for the best presentation goes to: Ines Sofia Oliveira, Ana Filipa Marques, and Joana Vaz Barbosa from Penafiel's High School, Portugal! Teacher: Mrs. Ana M.C. Ferreira Santana

photos by Anna Pikus, Maria Kawalec

The level of the contestants was very high and the results were very close. It is worth mentioning that the difference in total score between second and fifth place was only 0,8 points and the difference between 4^th Austria and 5^th Czech Republic was only 0,1 points! (with the scale from 0 to 100 points).

Results of the YPEF international stage- excerpt from the protocol of The International Contest Commission

* During counting the points it turned out that there was a tie between Poland and Latvia. Both teams scored 72,5 points. The members of International Contest Commission basing on the rules of the contest decided that in such case the decisive is the number of points for presentation. Therefore Poland took the 2^nd place and Latvia 3^rd.

    The international stage of YPEF 2010/2011 contest took place in one of the most beautiful parts of Masuria Lakes District, Poland, just by the Lake Guzianka. The final was organized by State Forest National Forest Holding and Forest Friends Association.
    During the final YPEF test and presentation of charm of forests of own country were tasks for teams of young people from European countries who got to the final round. But not only contest was held. Participants were delighted by the picturesque places they had an opportunity to visit. The study tour planned for was really attractive. It consisted of a cruise by the ship on one of Masuria lakes, as well as of a tour through most interesting spots of nearby forests. They were guided all the time by the foresters specialized in forest education, so besides fun they had a chance to learn much about Polish forests and forestry.
    The rewards ceremony was also a great experience. It took place during the European conference "Forestry for Climate and Biodiversity" in the courtyard of a medieval castle in Ryn.

The European Stage Contest

The European Stage is a convention of pupils that win the National Stage Contests. The pupils are going to explore means of cooperation between young Europeans interested in forests and nature. The teams participating in the European Stage Contest are expected to present the knowledge and promotion of the nature of their own countries according to the Rules of the Contest. They will also discuss problems of nature protection and environment above the state boarders.

The host country for finals of the YPEF International Contest 2010/2011 is Poland. The contest is organised under the auspices of the Minister of the Environment.

Full details of the events connected with the YPEF European Stage Contest 2010/2011 soon.