Geopark education

The goal of sustainable lifestyle education is to introduce children growing up in the Salpausselkä Geopark area to the local nature and culture, from kindergarten through higher education, while strengthening sustainable lifestyles and local identity. Through educational activities, the Geopark promotes equal and high-quality education as well as lifelong learning in line with the UN’s Agenda 2030, emphasizing the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.

Salpausselkä ja Unesco logot

Regional environmental education working group

The Salpausselkä Geopark environmental education team develops and coordinates education and training in line with the geopark concept. The working group consists of representatives from six municipalities in the region. The education and training aims, for example, to include the theme of nature in the cultural education curricula of primary schools and at different grade levels.

Salpausselkä Geopark early childhood education programme

All early childhood education centers in the Salpausselkä Geopark area have the opportunity to apply for Salpausselkä Geopark site status if they meet the criteria. The program is free of charge, and environmental educators provide support for the work. Six kindergartens are already participating in the Geopark early childhood education program. Five of these have already received Geopark kindergarten status: Kanerva Kindergarten in Lahti, Hämeenkoski Kindergarten in Hollola, Pääskynpesä Kindergarten in Lahti, Syke Kindergarten in Sysmä, and Kilpiäinen Kindergarten in Lahti.

The Salpausselkä Geopark school program is in its pilot phase. The goal is to make it suitable for implementation in educational institutions at all levels, from elementary schools to higher education.

Objectives:

Increase understanding of the geopark concept and geological heritage among learners of all ages
Enhance knowledge of the local environment among learners of all ages
Strengthen local identity and sense of belonging
Increase time spent in nature
Strengthen connection and relationship with nature
Promote physical and mental well-being
Promote sustainable lifestyle

Educational modules for geo-sites

The environmental educators of the City of Lahti, from the Nature School Kaisla, develop educational modules for utilizing the Salpausselkä Geopark in early childhood education and teaching. These educational modules are freely available for everyone, and an environmental educator guides them at the facilities within the municipalities of the Salpausselkä Geopark area (Asikkala, Heinola, Hollola, Lahti, Padasjoki, and Sysmä).

The first group of guides familiar with the Geopark concept and the Salpausselkä Geopark area graduated through a pilot training program in 2021. Since then, the training has been incorporated into the Vocational Qualification in Tourism Services at Koulutuskeskus Salpaus in 2022–2023. In 2024, the Geopark was included in Salpaus’s local guide training program.

Salpausselkä Geopark guides are well-versed in the origin and diversity of the landscape shaped by water, as well as in the Geopark concept. Guided tours led by our trained guides are available year-round.

Universities – thesis and internships

Are you interested in geological heritage, the cultural heritage of our region, or promoting sustainable tourism? We are involved in various development projects, such as those at LAB University of Applied Sciences. Feel free to get in touch if you are considering a Geopark-related thesis or internship with the Geopark organization.

Company partnership

An essential part of Geopark activities is promoting sustainable tourism in collaboration with local businesses and other stakeholders. Organizations that meet the criteria and have been granted the right to use the partner logo are official Salpausselkä Geopark partners, forming a regional network for sustainable tourism. Partnership is currently free of charge.