During this period, we continued monitoring the project “Environmental Education and Sustainable Schools,” completed last year, as well as providing ongoing support for its implementation at “Petru Maior” High School in Reghin. The project remains active and relevant, while the involvement of teachers and students demonstrates the continuity and real impact of environmental education in school life.

One of the main activities of the spring was the continuation of gardening work in the schoolyard, carried out during “Green Week.” The students involved in the project returned to the raised garden beds established in previous years, enthusiastically observing the reappearance of perennial plants and continuing the sowing of new crops. Onions, garlic, aromatic herbs, and radishes were cultivated, and the students gained a deeper understanding of the natural life cycle of plants, developing patience, responsibility, and a direct connection with nature. The joy of the results was also shared by the teachers, who confirmed that during the previous school year, products from the school garden were frequently used in culinary activities. Fresh salads, radish sandwiches, and mint teas became concrete examples of integrating environmental education into the students’ daily lives

On warm days, the schoolyard was transformed into an alternative educational space, where students from “Petru Maior” High School participated in sensory lessons and interactive outdoor activities. The garden thus became a true living classroom, where learning took place through direct exploration, observation, and experimentation

Another important moment of the spring was the activity carried out in the BATOȘ orchard, where hazelnut trees that had not survived in previous years were replanted. In total, approximately 400 hazelnut trees were planted together with students and teachers from “Petru Maior” High School. Volunteers contributed to digging the holes, planting the saplings, and mulching them with straw to ensure optimal growing conditions. Although the weather was not always favorable, the activity was successfully rescheduled, and the final event turned into a special experience, ending with a social gathering and a picnic in nature that strengthened teamwork and collaboration among participants.

At the end of April, we also organized a market dedicated to the circular economy in Târgu Mureș, an event where old objects were brought back to life and given new value through creativity and reuse. The event aimed to promote reduced consumption, minimize waste, and raise awareness about the origins of the products we use every day. It also highlighted the negative environmental impact of many industrial products, as well as the social inequalities present within global production chains.

 

Several local NGOs promoting creative reuse participated in the event, especially in the field of upcycled textiles, demonstrating how waste materials can be transformed into unique products with new aesthetic and functional value. An important moment was the presence of a craftsman from an NGO specialized in producing rugs from textile waste, who gave participants the opportunity to take part in the creative process and better understand the value of creative recycling.

The project involved approximately 70 volunteers and was carried out in partnership with three educational institutions from Mureș County: the National College of Arts, the Pedagogical College, and “Petru Maior” High School. Each institution contributed either as an organizer or as an active participant in workshops and educational activities. The National College of Arts participated through students from the fashion design department, who organized a creative workshop focused on repurposing worn-out T-shirts, transforming them through painting, cutting, and artistic interventions into new clothing pieces with their own identity.

The event brought together more than 300 participants, who had the opportunity to interact with creative recycling workshops, discover objects with history, and experience a form of authentic social interaction based on direct communication, without the use of digital technology. The atmosphere was remarkable, and the event received a great deal of encouragement and positive feedback from participants. The activity took place in the Art Gallery space within Studium Hub, a center dedicated to non-governmental organizations and creative projects, which provided the ideal setting for this type of initiative.

In conclusion, the spring of 2026 represented an intense, diverse, and valuable period in which environmental education, the circular economy, art, and community involvement blended harmoniously. The activities carried out contributed significantly to developing a deeper ecological awareness among participants and strengthening an educational model based on experience, collaboration, and sustainability.

During the summer of 2026, we are preparing for the opening of funding calls dedicated to afforestation projects in order to implement the initiative in Daneș. This project represents an important step in our efforts to expand green areas and environmental restoration activities. Preparations for this project began last year, when we ended the year with very positive news: obtaining the first environmental permit required for the planting initiative. The approval process lasted nearly a year and was both complex and rigorous, but its successful completion confirms that the project meets all requirements and can move forward to the implementation stage.

To support these projects, we are continuously in need of donations and support from the community. If you represent a company or are an individual who would like to contribute, you can contact us at cleanwood.org@gmail.com, and we will gladly provide all the necessary details regarding the ways you can get involved and support our activities.