The Janakkala municipality’s own Ilves nature school operates as a traveling nature school and comes to schools to meet students. The nature school is a part of the national network of environmental and nature schools (LYKE network). It is led by environmental educator and classroom teacher Johanna Sahila.
The nature school activities complement the national curriculum. They are available to all students in grades 1-6 in the municipality according to their own environmental education program.
Nature school programs. (in Finnish)

Nature school activities increase outdoor learning, hands-on experiences, different learning environments, and inquiry-based learning during the school day. As a result, the amount of nature and environmental education increases, and the understanding of the importance of biodiversity for humans is strengthened (e.g. ecosystem services, health effects of nature, interactions between organisms, and natural networks).

The goal of nature school is to provide equal opportunities for the municipality’s schoolchildren to develop their own connection to nature, understand natural networks and connections, and appreciate the importance of nature, thus creating ecological literacy. The nature school also aims to positively impact the environment by supporting biodiversity-promoting projects and sustainable development projects in schools, and training students in their own environmental advocacy projects. Nature school lessons also serve as additional training for teachers: teachers gain courage and ideas for working in nature during the shared nature school session.

As a part of educational resources, nature school supports the implementation of the municipality’s climate and environmental goals, legislation, and the national curriculum in Janakkala.