On 3^rd-5^th of June representatives of Forest Friends Association (TPL) from Poland – prof. Albert Dudek, Anna Trzosińska and Bożena Kawecka had a pleasure to attend the  Czech National Stage of YPEF organized by Ing. Stanislav Jansky and  Český svaz ochránců přírody (ČSOP), with support of Mayor of Pilsen City.
The YPEF contest was combined with Ecology Olympic Contest.  The participants of the contest were ten best teams from Czech schools, three persons in each team, chosen from 3 000 participants who started at the beginning.
During three days participants had to solve different tasks. They had do present two kinds of forests in their neighborhood -  natural and such being in management of man; another task was to solve knowledge tests.  They were given  the YPEF test with 50 questions, for which they had been preparing from materials published on www.ypef.eu. Participants also had to show their knowledge on two forest trails, where they found different practical tasks- from identifying trees species to measurement of tree size.  The TPL representatives observed their high level of knowledge and commitment to forest issues with great satisfaction.
Representatives had also a pleasure to talk with teachers from schools which took part in the contest. They had possibility to listen about their project and ideas in popularizing the knowledge about forest and biology. Representatives presented the idea of YPEF contest, which raised high interest.
The Ecology Olympic Contest  in Czech Republic has been organized every year for 25 years.  Therefore it was very interesting to learn about organizational issues and share experience with organizers. Representatives  are very grateful to Ing. Stanislav Jansky , ČSOP and Mayor of Pilsen for very friendly and nice atmosphere of the meeting.
After three days of competition the final took place in beautiful hall in Západočeské Muzeum in Pilsen. All participants, teachers, guests and organizers met to reward the winners. After kind speeches of Mayor of Pilsen and organizers it was announced, that the winner was the team from Gymnasium České Budějovice School: Lenka Čurnová, Leona Veselá and Václav Nuc. Congratulations!
The YPEF representatives had a great pleasure to invite winners to Poland, to participate in the final stage of Young People in European Forests YPEF 2010/2011 contest.
Forest  Friends Association, YPEF people and  The State Forests National Forest Holding are looking forward to meet young people, participants of YPEF contest in Poland during the final!

Comments about Ekological Olimpics in Spalene Porici (in Czech language)

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A moment of relax after all tasks / Birds eggs-which is which / Czech teams during YPEF test

Lichens species- participants had to know latin or Czech names/ Mr. ing. Stanislav Jansky and prof. Albert Dudek on one of the trail points / On the forest trail

One of the task-identyfying species of insects / Participants are building house for birds- it was one of the tasks / Participants learn how to plant a tree

Particpants had to know, what are the reasons of trees disasters / Polish represetatives with winners / Spalene Porici forests

Teachers had opportunity for interesting excursion / Tree measurment / What is the sign of forest reserve in Czech Republic