On the 21st of December Dr. Janez Potocnik - European Commissioner for Environment sent a letter to the YPEF International Contest Commission informing that he takes over patronage for the second edition of YPEF contest.
“… I fully endorse your approach aiming at both integration and education. It is important to keep the attention high on forest protection, especially in the interest of the youngest generations. I welcome this initiative and I am happy to provide my patronage for this event. …”
Message of Mr. Janez Potočnik - European Commissioner for Environment to participants of the second edition of YPEF contest.
Thank you Mr. Commissioner for your support to our initiative!
During the meeting of the YPEF International Contest Commission in Warsaw on 7th of December 2011, the second edition of the YPEF International Contest about forests and forestry in Europe has been announced. Organizations from eleven countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia have already declared participation in the contest.
National stage contests will take place between 1st of February and 31st of May. Winning teams from European countries will participate in the European Final Stage contest in Sagadi, Estonia on 26th – 27th of September 2012. We invite youths from other European countries to participation in the YPEF 2011/2012 International Contest!
Estonia is a leader of the YPEF second edition. Kristi Teppo from Estonian Society of Foresters coordinates aplication to the EACEA grant and preparations of the European Final in Estonia. On the picturte: Kristi is talking about preparations to the second edition of the contest.
From left: Līga Zute–Abizāre, Estonia, Maciej Białecki, Poland and Andreia Avila, Portugal draw questions for national stages of the second edition of the contest.
Diplomas for contribution to the first edition of the contest were handing to the following persons: Andreia Ávila , Thomas Baschny, Stephanie Gotza (diploma handed to Mrs. Astrid Schilling), Laszlo Hoczek, Pál Kovácsevics , Egle Mankevičienė , Wolfgang Schweighofer, Kristi Teppo and Liga Zute-Abizare.On the picture: Egle Mankevičienė and YPEF ICC chairman Andrzej Kawalec.
During the meeting 9 persons were invited to the YPEF International Commission.
On 7th of December will take place in Warsaw the YPEF International Contest Commission meeting. Eleven countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany,Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia declare the participation in the second edition of the YPEF contest. During the meeting preparations and organization of new YPEF contest edition will be discussed.
During the rewards ceremony of the YPEF 2010/2011 International Contest, four medals "Meritorious Friend of Forest" funded by Forest Friends Association (Poland) were handed to persons and organizations for particular achievments in broadening knowledge about forest and forestry.
Medals were awarded to:
Mrs. Astrid Schilling – a member of the YPEF International Commission, chairman of the YPEF National Commission Germany, academic teacher, student advisor and environment educator from Faculty of Forest and Environment of the University of Applied Sciences (HNE - Hochschule für Nachhaltige Entwicklung) in Eberswalde organized the first edition of the YPEF contest in Germany.
Mr. Stanislav Janský, member of the YPEF International Commission and YPEF National Commission in Czech Republic, forest educator from the Association of Municipal and Private Forest Owners (SVOL - Sdružení hájící společné zájmy všech vlastníků nestátních lesů ) close to the YPEF idea from the very beginning in 2009, leader of the YPEF project in Czech Republic.
Union of Austrian Foresters ( VÖF - Verband Österreichischer Förster) for achievements in the field of forest education and development of the YPEF project in Austria. The first edition of the YPEF 2010/2011 International Contest has been prepared and announced with significant support of Austrian foresters. The medal was received by Mr. Wolfgang Schweighofer from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management.
Forest Association of Portugal ( Forestis - Associação Florestal de Portugal) for achievements in the field of forest education and development of the YPEF project in Portugal. Forestis is close to the YPEF project from 2009 and organized the first edition of the YPEF contest in Portugal. The medal was received by Mrs. Joana Bateira from Training and Environmental Education Department of Forestis.
The European, Final Stage of the YPEF 2010/2011 International Contest took place on 28th -29th 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 4th Austria and 5th Czech Republic was only 0,1 points! (with the scale from 0 to 100 points).
