Getting to know the forest like a naturalist

The Sintra forest is the perfect setting for an outdoor lesson. 

On a visit to the Monserrate Hunting Grounds, we'll record our observations, learning how to make a field notebook like real naturalists! 

A field notebook is a scientific tool that accompanies outdoor excursions and allows observations to be systematically recorded in order to collect data for future work or memory. As well as drawing, it can be supplemented with photographs or natural elements.

This encourages students' curiosity, observation skills and active participation, combining creativity with environmental studies and the natural sciences. 

Along the way we'll get to know the forest and find answers to many questions: Is the forest we find today the same as it was 500 years ago?  What species of trees and animals make up this ecosystem and how do they interact with each other? How did the chaos of granite boulders of the Sintra hills come to be?

The forest provides essential resources for life, and it's important to know about this in order to want to protect it and guarantee its sustainability.

Each student should bring an A5 notebook or pad, pencil and eraser

Topics: Field notebook, native forest, natural resources, geological landscape, biodiversity, food chain, sustainability