Heath fires, honey, and heavy rain: Nature education day in Mierlo brings lessons to life
How do you keep your feet dry during a downpour? Why are bees important? And what happens when nature gets too dry? On Thursday, May 28, Mierlo will transform into a giant outdoor classroom for a day during the nature education day for elementary school students.
A total of 314 students from grades 6, 7, and 8 will be heading out on field trips. They will discover how nature, climate, and water management intersect in their own local area. From shepherds to firefighters and from asparagus fields to rainwater cisterns: students learn primarily by observing, doing, and asking questions.
The nature education day is an initiative of the Friends of Mierlo Foundation, in collaboration with local organizations, businesses, volunteers, and the municipality. Four elementary schools are participating, with a total of 14 classes. Alderman van de Laar will open the event at around 8:30 a.m.
Water Management at De Weijer Sports Center
The municipality is also contributing to the program. At De Weijer sports hall, students learn about water management, climate change, and the challenges of the future. After all, clean drinking water and dry feet are no longer as guaranteed as they used to be.
The focus is on the construction of the large rainwater storage facility at De Weijer. This smart facility collects rainwater during extreme downpours and helps prevent flooding in the surrounding area. “Water from the tap seems like a given, but it hasn’t been that way for a long time,” says Alderman van de Laar. “Due to climate change, we are increasingly facing long dry spells as well as heavy downpours. That is precisely why it is important for children to understand what is happening in their own environment.”
From beekeeper to heath fire
In addition to water management, the students also explore the countryside around Mierlo. They visit a shepherd on the Strabrechtse Heide and learn about wolves, meet a beekeeper at ’t Voortje, and visit Huibers Aspergehof. The IVN talks about the gypsy moth, and the fire department demonstrates the risks of wildfires and heath fires. Students also go on an exploration at the television tower, where they Map litter in Map . And of course, a visit to a local cheese farmer is a must. “It’s precisely by letting children experience things for themselves that the lessons stick,” says Alderman. “It’s wonderful to see how many organizations, volunteers, and entrepreneurs are contributing to this day together.”