As part of the state programme ‘Solidarity between Generations’ (LSZ), two informative and well-attended evening events organised by the UNESCO Global Geopark Thuringia Inselsberg–Drei Gleichen took place on Thursday, 13 November 2025 and Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at the Kulturscheune Mühlberg.

The aim of the events was to bring together citizens of the Drei Gleichen community across generations and to create an open space for exchange, dialogue and joint learning. In a relaxed atmosphere, participants of different age groups came together to share memories, experiences and knowledge about the region and to think ahead together.

The evenings focused on educational opportunities in the spirit of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Using concrete examples from the region – in particular the Bromacker research and education site – geological basics, regional geological history and their significance for today's issues of nature and climate protection were conveyed. The impact of global climate change on the landscape, ecosystems and cultural heritage was also discussed, as well as the responsibility this creates for current and future generations. Finally, an introduction was given on how to defend against fake news on geological and environmental topics.

The Geopark team presented selected ongoing projects and participation formats and showed how local knowledge, personal memories and scientific findings can be linked. These ideas served as the basis for the subsequent exchange in moderated discussion rounds and small groups.

In these discussion formats, questions were collected, individual memories documented and references to previously little-noticed or historically significant places compiled. A memory map was also created and digitised, containing the various points found by the participants; in addition, the individual developments of the landscape and the associated buildings were discussed. The results provide valuable ideas for future educational, participatory and communication projects at the geopark and contribute to the long-term preservation of regional knowledge.

At the end of the events, evaluation questionnaires were distributed to gather feedback on content, formats and organisation. The very positive feedback confirmed the great interest in intergenerational educational opportunities at the geopark.

Due to the great success and high participation, there are plans to offer the format again next year and to expand it in terms of content and duration.

The UNESCO Global Geopark Thüringen Inselsberg–Drei Gleichen would like to thank all participants for their commitment and valuable contributions. They strengthen the Geopark as a vibrant educational, dialogue and cultural space in the region.

For the project group:

Dr Mauro Alivernini

Magdalena Kreuzheck

e.t.a. Sachverständigen Büro

Management office of the UNESCO Global Geopark Thuringia Inselsberg–Drei Gleichen

The year 2023 has been declared the "Year of Water" by the town of Ruhla. The UNESCO Global Geopark Thuringia Inselsberg - Drei Gleichen took up the topic together with the local AWO youth club "Freetime" and developed an ESD offer (Education for Sustainable Development). On three project days from 10-12 July 2023, the young people devoted themselves to the topic of water and forest with their diverse interrelationships. The focus was on the nature discovery trail "Am Breitenberg" (the GeoRoute 10 of the Geopark) with the Green Classroom. Through experiments with water, wood and forest soil, the children learned what simple things everyone can do every day to use the valuable resources of water and wood carefully and prudently so that we can preserve them in the future.

The children were guided by the staff of the Geopark Management Office (e.t.a. Sachverständigenbüro Reyer), Kerstin Fohlert and Nancy Schröter, as well as the geotourism staff of the town of Ruhla and tour guide of the Kittelsthal dripstone cave, Jonathan Harjes. A total of ten interested children from Ruhla, grades 6-8, from the Gymnasium and Regelschule decided to take part in this holiday programme and, together with youth club leader Silvia Gürtler, were eager and interested.

On Monday, the children explored the mica slate on the Breitenberg with hammer and magnifying glass and examined the forest soil that developed on it with a drill stick. At an old pile site, the children even found charcoal remains. In addition, each child built their own water filter and observed how filtration takes place in the soil with different materials and how much water a soil can absorb.

Tuesday was all about water. The children learned about the earth's water cycle in a playful way and took water samples at different places in Ruhla, which we then tested for pH value and conductivity. One of the local lifeguards of the Ruhla forest pool, Hans-Joachim Ziegler, gave us an insight into the inflow and outflow as well as the purification of the pool water, which is fed by the local mountain stream. As a crowning finale, the children convinced themselves of the good water quality by swimming.

On Wednesday, the children got an insight into the work of foresters: the district forester of the Breitenberg, Steffen Schmuck, explained to us about forest conversion and the current challenges of climate change for the forest. The children realised that wood is an important renewable local raw material and also learned about all the important tools of the forester and were able to try some of them out themselves. The forest games were about proving oneself in strength and dexterity. In the afternoon, the two-day homework was evaluated: each child was to measure and record the water consumption using the water meter. Together we worked out for which activities water is consumed daily and how each individual can reduce the demand.

At the end, all the children received a certificate and a Geopark button and were visibly proud of it. Everyone is already looking forward to the last project day of the forest and water project, which will take place in the autumn holidays. Here, we will plant trees of the future at the nature adventure trail "Am Breitenberg" with the district forester Steffen Schmuck and each child will take over the sponsorship for their planted tree.

For the project group:

Dipl.-Geographin Nancy Schröter

e.t.a. Surveyor's Office Reyer

Management Office of the UNESCO Global Geopark Thuringia Inselsberg - Drei Gleichen