On June 27, 2025, the Republican Public Association QazaqGeography, with support from Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), organized an educational field trip to the Ertis Ormany State Forest Nature Reserve for students and teachers of Secondary School No. 11 in Pavlodar. The excursion, titled “Living Ecology Lesson”, was conducted in collaboration with QazaqGeography’s regional office and experts in biology and forestry.
Its main goal was to promote ecological thinking and culture among students and strengthen the practical component of biology, geography, ecology, and local studies in education.
Why Is This Important?
Field trips to protected natural areas offer more than education — they provide a real connection to living ecosystems.
“An excursion to the forest isn’t just a walk in nature; it’s a hands-on experience that brings textbooks to life. In nature’s classroom, students understand how ecosystems work, why forests matter, and how human activity affects the environment,” noted a participating Marked by Anastasiya Lukhmanova, biology and English teacher.
Program Highlights
- Cultural and Ecological Exploration:
- Visiting the Mausoleum of Gabdul Uakhit Khazret, a spiritually and historically significant landmark.
- Lecture by reserve staff on the role of forest ecosystems, forest dwellers, and conservation efforts.
- Scientific and Practical Learning:
- A class on medicinal plants — their traditional and modern applications.
- Walking tour along the “Know Your Land” ecological trail to study the biodiversity and ecosystem of the Irtysh pine forest.
Educational, Ecological, and Methodological Value
Environmental Education:
- The excursion allowed students to study the forest’s role in climate regulation and its function as a “carbon sink”, while observing ecological systems firsthand.
Cultivating Ecological Awareness:
- Direct contact with nature helped instill a sense of personal responsibility and the importance of sustainable development.
Supporting Educators:
- Teachers gained practical insights in environmental education, which they can integrate into their teaching practices.
“We believe that direct interaction with nature is the key to raising a generation that cares for the planet. These excursions are an investment in environmental consciousness,” said Alexander Vervekin, QazaqGeography’s regional representative in Pavlodar and Director of the Geography House.
“For ERG, supporting such initiatives isn’t just a social commitment — it’s a strategic choice. We invest in ecological education because today’s schoolchildren are tomorrow’s caretakers of nature. These efforts build both knowledge and values that last a lifetime,” emphasized Serik Shakhazhanov, General Director of ERG in Kazakhstan.
About the Ertis Ormany Reserve:
Located in the Shcherbakty and Lebyazhinsky districts of Pavlodar region, the Ertis Ormany Forest Nature Reserve was established in 2003 to preserve the unique strip pine forests of the Irtysh region. The area is home to over 40 species of mammals and nearly 200 bird species, including moose, roe deer, lynx, wolves, and groundhogs. Pines cover more than 94% of the forested landscape.
QazaqGeography continues to implement projects aimed at promoting ecological education and building environmental responsibility through direct experiences with nature and development of practical ecological skills among youth.
