Climate change and the loss of biodiversity are part of the everyday lives of children and young people. Teachers, educators, researchers, and nature professionals will gather in Tampere from June 9–11 to find ways to address young people’s questions and concerns. Adults will experience and learn in Tampere’s urban nature so they can apply their new skills in their work with children and young people.
– For environmental education the goal is not so much to solve the world as to learn to live in it while respecting all forms of life, says says one of the event's keynote speakers, Kirsi Pauliina Kallio, professor of environmental education at the University of Tampere.
Research professor Sofia Laine of the Finnish Youth Research Society and Jarmo Kokkonen of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland will discuss values, ethics, and the good life at the ULOS-UT-OUT event.
Ilari E. Sääksjärvi, a professor of biodiversity research who has studied the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest, will highlight the fundamental importance of biodiversity. The improvisational theater group Stella Polaris will respond to Sääksjärvi’s presentation with its own nature-themed performance on Wednesday, June 11.
The Tampere ULOS-UT-OUT event marks the fourth time that teachers and educators have gathered to build dialogue, share perspectives, and explore new ways to strengthen the well-being and future skills of children and young people. The event’s main partner is the Priodiversity LIFE project, which aims to halt biodiversity loss.
Over the past school year, Tampere has come to realize the many ways in which nature influences children’s learning and concentration. Nature has a calming effect, and learning outcomes improve.
On the other hand, it is extremely important to teach children and young people to cherish nature’s diversity so that nature is preserved.
Anne-Mari Jussila, Deputy mayor for Education and culture in the city of Tampere, is delighted that the ULOS-UT-OUT event is being hosted in Tampere. The city’s magnificent nature and the Sammon koulu school campus offer a unique setting for new insights and encounters.
– The ULOS-UT-OUT conference reminds us that learning isn’t just for the classroom, but also takes place in nature, through movement, and together. The joy of learning and doing things together are core values for Tampere. At the same time, we are strengthening our understanding of the importance of nature’s well-being, which is also the foundation of human well-being in the future. These are also the messages of the event, says Anne-Mari Jussila.
The side events of the ULOS-UT-OUT event, which are open to everyone, have been compiled into the Urban Nature Trail. The events on the trail are engaging and experiential, making them suitable for people of all language backgrounds. The organizers of the side events speak English.
Would you like to see the geographical center of Tampere? It is in Teisko. The school in Terälahti, selected as the Environmental Educator of the Year in 2025, operates in classrooms without walls, in the forest, and along the riverbank. It provides support for environmental education and learning in natural settings in early childhood education and basic education. Come learn, discover, and participate.
On the excursion to Kalevankangas, we’ll explore a dry, valuable meadow that is home to, among other species, the highly endangered Athetis gluteosa. During the excursion, we’ll learn what makes meadows valuable habitats and how to identify valuable and diverse meadows.
To round off the evening, you’ll have the chance to take a walk through Kaleva Church with all your senses open. The Tampere parishes are organizing a meditative and physical prayer session accompanied by cello music, poetry, and psalms.
An open morning event at the Iidesjärvi bird tower offers everyone interested the chance to see the rich birdlife of the lake under the guidance of an expert. The bird tower is located in the southeast corner of the lake. The morning event is organized by the Pirkanmaan lintutieteellinen yhdistys.
The morning continues with a visit to the city streams. Kokemäenjoen vesistön vesiensuojeluyhdistys ry – KVVY association will explain in Sandelininpuisto how the trout population has been successfully restored in Vuohenoja, Tampere. Even a very ordinary-looking stream or ditch can hold surprises.
You can experience the full outdoor atmosphere all day Wednesday at Sorsapuisto. During this hands-on event day, you’ll gain outdoor experiences through activities, competitions, and by meeting fellow enthusiasts and experts. Try archery and make your own arrow. Sit down at a fire-free rest area to share stories. The event is organized by Metsähallitus and the youth group of the Metsästäjäliitto.
This Thursday in Kaupinoja, everyone is invited to a free event where they can try out different ways to get active in nature. At this exciting event organized by Suomen Latu and Partioaitta, you can try your hand at gravel biking or open-water swimming, among other activities, and have the chance to talk with experts in these fields.
In addition to humans, the event in Tampere’s urban nature will feature a whole host of other species, ranging from plants to insects, reptiles, birds, and other animals. Human participants are challenged to notice others and observe the environment using the iNaturalist species identification app, while also contributing to citizen science.
ULOS–UT–OUT – Outdoor learning conference is organized in collaboration with the Finnish Association of Nature and Environmental Schools, the Finnish Association of Youth Centers, the Finnish Forest Association, Natur och Miljö, the Finnish Environmental Institute SYKLI, WWF Finland, HUMAK, Metsähallitus, the City of Tampere, and the Federation of Tampere Evangelical Lutheran Parishes.
