Environmental Awareness at a Young Age: An Essential Element of a Sustainable Society and a Model of Best Practice

Early adoption of ecological values, such as caring for nature, respecting plants and animals, and rational use of resources, creates a solid foundation that is more difficult to change later in life. The most favorable period for easily and quickly instilling positive attitudes toward the environment and conservation is the kindergarten and preschool years. Recognizing one's role in protecting nature and developing children's ecological literacy and awareness is possible not only through formal education but also through informal approaches, such as camps, eco-workshops, time spent in nature, and various outdoor interactive activities. One of the significant examples of good practice in environmental education, particularly regarding the importance and preservation of forests, is the Economic Society for Forest Management "Srbijašume" LLC Belgrade, which, in addition to its core activities, works to raise environmental awareness among citizens. It manages state forests and forest land covering an area of 892,029 ha, provides expert advisory services in privately owned forests covering an area of 1,221,265 ha, manages hunting grounds, and oversees fishing, and protected areas. The aim of this paper is to analyze the contribution of informal environmental education conducted by "Srbijašume" LLC Belgrade to the development of cognitive, affective, and behavioral components of environmental awareness in preschooland school-aged children, as well as to underscore the importance of education about ecology, the protection and preservation of forests, and nature in general.