Learning about Ecosystems and Forests - LEAF

25/08/2026

Discovering Ecosystems with LEAF: Malaysia

From ancient tropical rainforests to coastal mangroves and coral reefs, Malaysia is home to diverse ecosystems that support species biodiversity and sustain the livelihoods of local communities.

Yet, urbanisation, agriculture, plantations, and consequent deforestations have degraded natural environments across the country.

One way of restoring these ecosystems is to create an environment where people can connect with nature around them while exploring restoration methods and traditional practices.

Through LEAF, learners explore how communities can work in balance with ecosystems and take part in practical restoration. In Malaysia, this includes syntropic agroforestry, where degraded or underused land around schools is transformed by planting mixed species in ways that mimic natural forest systems.

🌱 Bring ecosystem restoration into your own learning community. Join FEE and UNEP's Schools movement: https://www.leaf.global/generation-restoration-schools

21/08/2026

19/08/2026

🌍 When young people connect across borders, something special happens. Through the Pacha Kuti Project, schools in Argentina and Brazil are coming together to learn from each other and to restore their local ecosystems.

Led by Eco-school in Argentina and Eco-Escolas Brasil the project brings together Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment and Learning about Ecosystems and Forests - LEAF combining hands-on restoration, environmental learning and young people’s voices.

At Viverde School in Bragança Paulista, Brazil, more than 500 students are already putting this into practice by restoring the riparian forest around the Agudo Stream and building a deeper connection with the place they call home.

🌱 This is what FEE is all about: encouraging learners to step outside the classroom, explore their local ecosystems, and reconnect with the nature around them. When that connection grows into action, young people don’t just learn about nature: they become part of restoring it.

18/08/2026

🌱 FEE’s LEAF network will represented at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia!

FEE Mongolia, a member organisation of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and part of our Learning about Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF) network, will be represented at United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 Mongolia.

On 20 August, from 14:30-16:00 ULAT, Mongolian teachers and students will contribute to the “Education for Land” session in the UNCCD Action Dome, sharing their experiences of the successes and challenges of integrating environmental education in Mongolia.

Their participation brings valuable perspectives from schools and young people directly into international conversations about biodiversity and environmental education. Through FEE programmes in Mongolia, young people are already taking action through environmental leadership, school-based initiatives, biodiversity education, and community engagement for sustainable land stewardship.

These efforts also serve as an example of how local learning and action is being connected with with global environmental priorities. This work also contributes to the ambitions of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, showing how education can equip young people and communities to become active participants in protecting and restoring the ecosystems on which we all depend.

12/08/2026

💡 From first ideas to first jobs

On 12 August, we celebrate International Youth Day and the many ways young people are already shaping environmental action across the Foundation for Environmental Education network.

Reflecting this year’s United Nations theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” young people are learning, participating, and leading at every stage across our six programmes.

So, where can you find youth across the FEE network? Pretty much everywhere. 👀

🍏 Through Eco-Schools, young people lead Eco-Committees and turn ideas into action across their schools and communities.

🌱 Through Learning about Ecosystems and Forests - LEAF, young learners step outside the classroom, connect with nature and explore the importance of protecting forests and biodiversity.

🎤 Through Young Reporters for the Environment, young people investigate environmental issues affecting their communities and use journalism, photography and video to share the stories that matter.

🎓 Through Eco-Campus, students drive change across their universities and colleges, deepening their knowledge while building skills and experience for what comes next.

🔑 Across Green Key, young professionals in the hospitality sector put sustainability into practice inside hotels and other establishments around the world.

🌊 Across Blue Flag, young professionals working at beaches, marinas and tourism boats help protect our coasts and promote more sustainable practices.

And that journey doesn't end when education does. Young people take those experiences into the wider world as educators, environmental and conservation professionals, community leaders, hospitality and tourism professionals, and colleagues across FEE’s 110+ member organisations.

Creating opportunities for young people to build experience, enter the environmental workforce, and have a say in the organisations driving change is an important part of that journey.

Next week, we’ll put that into practice at FEE Head Office. 👋 Through the FEE Internship Scheme, led by Eco-Campus, we’re welcoming our newest interns and creating opportunities for young people to gain hands-on professional experience while contributing to FEE’s work.

💼 Discover the FEE Internship Scheme: https://www.ecocampus.global/internship-scheme

Happy International Youth Day! ⭐

23/07/2026

🌱 Discovering Ecosystems with LEAF: Armenia

From alpine meadows and ancient forests to semi-arid steppes, mountain lakes and river valleys, Armenia is home to diverse ecosystems that support unique biodiversity and a rich natural heritage.

Protecting these ecosystems requires everyone to have the opportunity to learn about, connect with, and care for nature. When environmental education is inclusive, more people can become active participants in ecosystem restoration.

Through LEAF, learners discover that ecosystem restoration is for everyone. By making nature-based learning more accessible, including expanding Armenian Sign Language with environmental and ecosystem-related signs, we help ensure that every learner can explore, understand, and take action for the natural world.
Join Foundation for Environmental Education and UN Environment Programme Schools movement: https://www.leaf.global/generation-restoration-schools

16/07/2026

🌱 What is it like to learn with LEAF?

We asked Petra Schut, a member of FEE's Board of Directors, what makes the LEAF experience so unique.

Learning with LEAF is not only about gaining knowledge from books or studying theory, it is about experiencing the world firsthand, exploring new perspectives, and learning through real-life experiences. 🌐

01/07/2026

🌱 LEAF Beyond Schools: Lessons from our FEE HO Summer Outing

This year, the FEE Head Office team spent our summer outing at Øens Have in Copenhagen, learning how an urban garden is helping restore biodiversity and regenerate land once affected by industrial activity.

Surrounded by flowers, bees, and fresh vegetables, we explored how permaculture techniques, community engagement, and local action can transform ecosystems and inspire sustainable living.

From harvesting our own ingredients to sharing a delicious seasonal meal, the experience reminded us that learning for sustainability can happen anywhere.

A powerful example that LEAF is for everyone, everywhere.

Read the full story in our LEAF News: https://www.leaf.global/news-stories/leaf-beyond-the-schools-summer-outing