At the maison relais childcare centre in Niederkorn, children have been busy transforming their creativity into small works of art. Armed with paintbrushes, colours, and plenty of imagination, they have designed and painted vibrant signposts. But these signs are not destined for the classroom or playground; they are part of the Love Nature project, which aims to bring families into the forests around Niederkorn and Pétange and introduce them to the area’s natural beauty.
Patrick Arendt, an educator at the maison relais in Niederkorn, has been leading the initiative. He explains that the project is particularly close to their hearts because it encourages children and their parents to spend more time together in the woods and to discover the beautiful corners of our municipalities. The project is designed to strengthen family bonds while fostering an appreciation for the local environment.
The trail, marked by the children’s hand-painted signs, guides families on an adventure through the forest. There are plenty of signs to find, each featuring a QR code with further clues and tips about the next stage of the journey. As families follow the path, they learn more about trees, animals, and the surrounding natural world. The trail is about more than just walking; it is also an invitation to see nature and the climate from a new perspective, and to gain a deeper understanding of the environment.
Now in its second year, the Love Nature trail has been expanded. The collaboration between the municipalities of Niederkorn and Pétange, their respective maison relais childcare centres, educators, and especially the children themselves, has taken several months. Each sign has been painstakingly painted and prepared by the young participants.
Patrick Arendt emphasises the project's importance, especially in the context of climate change, where the forest becomes a place for recreation and cooling down, highlighting the need to teach children from a young age that forests, the animals living in the forest and the entire woodland ecosystem should be cared for and protected.
Sometimes, all it takes to appreciate the value of nature is a splash of colour and a few creative children. The installations will remain in place until 20 September. The starting point for the trail is the Roudenhaff forest.
Anyone who sends photos of all twelve signposts to the municipality of Pétange at concours@petange.lu will have the chance to win one of twenty €50 gift vouchers.
