Love Nature

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 Petange and introduce them to the area's natural beauty.[1]

The trail, marked by the children's hand-painted signs, guides families on an adventure through the forest. Each sign features 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.[1]

Now in its second year, the Love Nature trail has been expanded. The collaboration between the municipalities of Niederkorn and Petange, 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. Educator 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.[1]

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 through the summer. The A13 motorway is closing this weekend so that animals can cross it on a wildlife bridge. The children of Niederkorn are painting signs so that families can walk into the forest and see why that matters. Both are about the same thing: making room for nature in a place where people drive too fast and walk too little.[1]