<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thechestnut.tree/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Chestnut Tree</a> is a story of hope, love, pure intentions, perseverance, and human connection. It shows how a community of specialists, environmentalists, activists, teachers, and beautiful human beings came together to co-create a safe, educational space in nature.
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<div>The impetus for this project came from our passion for nature and the limitations in the educational conditions for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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<div>In 2021, we decided to get all our means and start a school in nature, with an ecological curriculum, and strive for a more human/nature-connected educational development.
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<div>My husband, Camille Eichmann (Swiss,) and I (Brazilian) graduated from the University of Zurich with a degree in Natural Sciences -Geography. After 15 years in Switzerland working in different educational and private sector jobs, I decided to apply for a Master's Degree in School Management at the University of Barcelona and we moved to Catalunya in 2019.
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<div>Our partnership with <a href="https://www.gaiaeducation.org/blog/71903-discover-a-project-thats-helped-kids-get?current_category_context=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gaia Education</a> was a game-changer. Gaia shared with us a more holistic overview that fit exactly what we were looking for, a sense of community, a non-violent program, and an ecological curriculum that is based on the dimensions of human experience; Social, Economic, Ecological, and World View, known as <a href="https://www.gaiaeducation.org/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Four primary dimensions</a>.
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<div>With all the effort and self-commitment to education and our community, we are having a hard time certifying as an official school in Spain, as ecological schools like ours aren’t recognized by educational laws in this country.
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<div>To obtain official certification, we have two options.
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<li>Create, rent, or buy a building, that meets all legal requirements e.g., safety, dimensions, and access.
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<li>The second option is to first obtain international certification and then transition into Spanish certification.
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<div>However, both of these options require a significant financial investment that we are unable to make at this time.
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<div>Therefore, we ask you for your support now and would be glad to bring you closer to our community development.
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<li>All donors will be recognized on a thank you sign at our buildings and will be invited to visit to see our progress in an annual event.
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<li>The three individuals who donate the highest amounts to our project will have scholarships named after them.
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<div>There are different ways your donation can facilitate the certification and help us extend our program to more children and families.
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<div>Here are some of the ways we will improve our school and present our program for certification:
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<li>Constructing sustainable buildings: our school aims to build eco-friendly buildings using sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled wood, and glass. These materials can help in reducing the carbon footprint of the school. <a href="https://celticyurts.com/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Example</a>
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<li>Installing solar energy: it would help in generating clean and renewable energy, which could be used to power the school's electrical needs. This could greatly reduce the school's dependency on non-renewable energy sources like gas and electricity.
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<li>Rainwater harvesting: we will install a rainwater harvesting system to collect and store rainwater. The collected water could be used for gardening, cleaning, and flushing toilets. This could help in reducing the school's water consumption and promote sustainability.
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<li>Composting: Implementing a composting system will help in reducing the amount of waste generated by the school. The compost produced could be used to fertilize the school's vegetable garden and promote sustainable agriculture.
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<li>Upgrading the toilet facilities: The school could replace the chemical toilets with composting toilets, which are more sustainable, safer, and eco-friendly. Composting toilets use little to no water, which could help in reducing the school's water consumption. <a href="https://pikkuvihrea.fi/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Example</a>
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<div>By implementing these measures, the school could significantly reduce its environmental impact and present itself for certification as an official Ecological School.
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<div>There is a strong connection between education and how our planet will be in the future! We believe that we care about those things we consider valuable to us, right? So why not start caring about our planet from childhood?
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<div>Join us! Believe in this cause!
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<div>Get in touch:
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<div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thechestnut.tree" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thechestnut.tree/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/thechestnut.tree/</a></a>
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<div><a href="https://www.thechestnuttree.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.thechestnuttree.org</a>
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Anonymous

Lara & Denis

Marc Schärer

Ran Argaman

Jana Preissler

Danielle Zini

Jonny Flash

Tobias Horat

Mario Buti

Lothar Deuschle

Lorenz Sourlier

Ines Gomez

Samuel Bruhin

Yingzhi Vilimelis Aceituno

Philipp Suter

Support an Ecological School in Catalunya, Spain

Support an Ecological School in Catalunya, Spain

Still €26,907 to go. Help us build momentum.