XVI International Botanical Congess

In this study the effects of an educational programme called 'Nature on the way to school' on children's perception of biodiversity were evaluated. The aim of the programme was to promote opportunities for children to experience nature, and to promote interest in plants and animals. Effects of the programme were measured using a pretest/posttest design with a test group and a control group. Further information was obtained from a questionnaire for the participating teachers. As part of the study more than 6000 primary schoolchildren were asked about their everyday-life perception of plants and preferences for species. The programme was successful, because it significantly increased children's perception of plants, in particular that of wildflowers. The more lessons the children received, the higher was the effect.