🐿️ Educational Squirrel Presentation for Poreč Elementary School (Classes 2.a and 3.a)

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in a peaceful forest area in Poreč, next to a squirrel rehabilitation enclosure, a special and heartwarming lecture was held that brought children closer to the world of nature in a direct and experiential way. The lecture was led by Conny Petö Đeneš and attended by students from the extended stay program of Poreč Elementary School, classes 2.a and 3.a – a total of 17 schoolchildren who followed every part of the lecture with great attention and curiosity.

During the one-hour lecture, the children had the opportunity to learn about the life of squirrels – what they eat, where they build their nests, which species live in Croatia, and what kinds exist around the world. Their interest was genuine and lively, clearly reflected in the many questions they asked, as well as in sharing their own experiences of encountering squirrels in nature.

A special moment occurred when the children brought pears and apples for the squirrels, and after the lecture, they filled the feeders together with hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts. This act was not only symbolic, but also a true expression of their care and connection with nature.

Their decision regarding returnable packaging was particularly touching – these were plastic bottles they use daily, which they had been diligently collecting in order to exchange the deposit money for candy. This time, however, they collectively chose to do something different. Instead of sweets, they decided to buy hazelnuts for the squirrels and return to the forest to refill the feeders. With this simple yet conscious choice, they showed how care for nature can begin through small, everyday actions.

After returning to school, the pupils continued in the same spirit – they read the picture books they received as a gift: "Koki and the Lost Nut" and "Bim, Bum and Bam – Adventures in the City Park", drew squirrels, and shared what they had learned, deepening their understanding and experience of the encounter.

A heartfelt thank you to teacher Marija Selar for her openness, support, and cooperation in organizing this event. And thank you to the children, who, through their interest, questions, and actions, showed a beautiful example of how nature is not only learned about, but truly lived.