Awareness of how our behavior affects nature and the interactions on our planet is the key to global transformation. That’s why Tropica Verde actively promotes education in kindergartens, schools, universities and extracurricular places of learning – in Costa Rica, Germany, Switzerland and now also online!
Environmental education in Germany
Tropica Verde has been promoting environmental education in Germany since 1989. Many people are not aware that tropical rainforests in Costa Rica are being cut down for our bananas, pineapples and palm oil. Our educational programs convey that we can only protect our planet if we work together. The rainforest can be preserved through cooperation and innovative processes. Education for Sustainable Development is the key to shaping these changes. So how can we promote the protection of the tropical rainforest in Costa Rica through awareness-raising and environmental education?
>>> More about our new education program 2025 (Frankfurt area)
Bookable environmental education for
all generations
07.04. – 11.04.2025
Bookable in the Frankfurt area
Multimedia show | all generations
The fascination of the rainforest: unique, mysterious, endangered
Be inspired by our colorful multimedia shows about the tropical rainforest, Tropica Verde and Costa Rica’s biodiversity. Experience it online or live – just as you wish!
Discover the Costa Rican rainforest! Colorful multimedia shows about Tropica Verde’s projects and the biodiversity of the rainforest will amaze you. Breathtaking photos and gripping stories make the tropical rainforest tangible. Dr. Stefan Rother, biologist and co-founder of Tropica Verde, visits kindergartens, schools, universities, companies, retirement homes and public institutions in Germany and Switzerland. The show can also be booked for private events and as a worldwide online event.
Education module | School: 4. & 5th grade
Water cycle: the source of life
At the Hanau Environmental Center, participants can interactively explore the water cycle of a protected area in Costa Rica.
Experienced speakers from the Hanau Environmental Center offer elementary school in the Rhine-Main region the educational module “The water cycle in Germany and Costa Rica”. The workshop, which is conducted according to the guidelines of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), takes place either at the school or at the Hanau Environmental Center. It includes a theoretical and practical part in which the children experience the water cycle. The children build a water cycle in a jar that they can take home with them. The module is characterized by authentic educational material from Monte Alto, the Tropica Verde reforestation project in Costa Rica. There, the water cycle was restored through reforestation, which safeguarded the river and the population’s water supply. Environmental education and SDGs at your fingertips.
Education module | School: Secondary level I & II
Macaw and pineapple: rivals in the rainforest?
What does a colorful bird have to do with a tropical fruit? While growing pineapples in Costa Rica, pupils discover the connection between the destruction of the tropical rainforest and the consumption of tropical products in an interdisciplinary way.
The workshop will be held at various locations in the Palmengarten in Frankfurt. In cooperation with the Green School of the Palm Garden, the environmental education module “Macaws and Pineapples” was developed for secondary levels I and II with a focus on “Fair Trade” and “Organic Cultivation Methods”. Using a variety of methods, they explore the issues through station-based learning, guided tours of the Tropicarium and role play, with the living and working conditions of pineapple-growing workers and their families also playing a role. Solutions such as fair trade or organic farming are examined and options for action are developed and discussed. This environmental education module was inspired by the experiences around the Reserva Lapa Verde.
Installation | All generations
Plants from Monte Alto in the Palm Garden
Visit the Tropicarium in the Palm Garden and discover how the little anteater lives at the Monte Alto bed. Original plants from our protected area Reserva Forestal Monte Alto in Costa Rica grow here. The Palmengarten video podcast is now making our bed more and more famous. If you are interested, we will be happy to organize a guided tour. Please contact the information office.
Individual educational offers on various topics Guided tours, lectures or stands
We offer tailor-made guided tours, lectures and information stands on topics such as tropical rainforests, pineapple cultivation or consumer behavior for school and company celebrations or birthdays. Let us know your ideas and together we will see how we can realize them. Individual environmental education for every situation!
Environmental education in action: In addition to our educational offers, you can also organize something of your own yourself or together with us!
We cooperate with school classes, associations, networks, municipal and private institutions and individuals. Our supporters independently launch appeals for donations for birthdays or campaigns such as “Haircut for the anteater”. In the spirit of Education for Sustainable Development, we support all ideas and initiatives, so there are no limits to your creativity – just contact us. just get in touch with us!
Action and information stands
Tropica Verde participates in events organized by long-standing cooperation partners throughout the year. In addition to information about the association and its projects, we also offer environmental education activities for all age groups. These events are carried out with great commitment by our members and volunteers. You can find us at these (regular) events:
- BioFrankfurt Green Exchange in the Palmengarten
- Experience biodiversity” campaign week organized by BioFrankfurt
- Zoo action days organized by BioFrankfurt and the Frankfurt Zoological Society
- Sustainability parcour from the “Learning sustainability in Frankfurt” network
- Blue plaque on the Römerberg from the “Learning sustainability in Frankfurt” network
- Week of action to close the Mainkai by the “Learning sustainability in Frankfurt” network
…and even more!
IGS NORDEND: Long-standing cooperation for climate protection
IGS Nordend in Frankfurt has been working regularly with Tropica Verde for years. In 2014, the school completed its first charity run to become CO2 neutral. As an energy-saving school, it saves 60 tons of CO2 and 15,000 euros every year. Unavoidable CO2 is offset by planting trees with Tropica Verde. Donations collected by the pupils, such as during a charity run, support the reforestation campaigns in Monte Alto or the Reserva Kinkajou. Together with the EnergIGS project, Tropica Verde takes part in events such as the Environmental Festival on the Main. IGS Nordend won the “Energy Saving Champion” competition in 2021. IGS even produced a video in December 2024 that provides an insight into environmental education campaigns, information about Tropica Verde and recommendations on how to make rainforest-friendly purchases. You can find out more about the individual activities of our collaboration here:
- Handover of donations at the 2023 summer party
- IGS Nordend becomes Energy Saving Champion Hesse 2021
- Charity run 2019: Trees for the Reserva Kinkajou
- Reforestation planned on Finca Alicia – including “IGS hectares”
- Over 5000 euros collected for Monte Alto
- 2nd IGS charity run for the Reserva Monte Alto
Film by the Energix group of IGS Nordend | About cooperation, rainforest show & environmental education
News about our educational campaigns and projects
Energix film shows the collaboration between IGS Nordend and Tropica Verde
Cooperation, environmental education and rainforest show The cooperation between the IGS Nordend comprehensive school in Frankfurt-Bornheim and Tropica Verde has been in place for several years. The EnergIGS WPU project at IGS Nordend has been committed to nature...
Guest on the Palmengarten Frankfurt video podcast
Gabriele Schaar-von Römer on projects, educational work and flora & fauna in Costa Rica Go to the (video) podcast "Auf die Palme gebracht" The Palmengarten's video podcast "Auf die Palme gebracht" highlights various topics and exciting aspects of the Palmengarten...
In the press: Michael and Wolfgang in ÖKO-TEST magazine
"Der Regenwald wächst wieder" Donnerstag, 14.07.2024 , 10:00 - 18:00 UhrZoo Frankfurt Michael Ott und Wolfgang Schmitt wurden vom Magazin ÖKO-TEST interviewt. Im neusten Heft zu Kaffee stellen die beiden Tropica Verde und seine Arbeit für die Wiederaufforstung des...