A particularly valuable area is the Kozienicki Park Krajobrazowy, which includes natural old-growth forests aged 140–200 years. The area is home to 172 species of plants, and near the reservoir grows the largest sycamore maple in the forest 🌳

These areas are also a habitat for many animals, including squirrels, common shrews, bats, hares, foxes, and badgers 🦊🐿️

An interesting feature is the artificial reservoir built on the Gzówka River, which serves not only recreational purposes but is also home to many fish species such as pike, carp, and perch 🎣 Two springs of highly mineralized water can also be found nearby.

Jedlnia-Letnisko is a place where nature impresses with its diversity and supports both relaxation and environmental education 💚

Anna Pietrzyk, Publiczna Szkoła Podstawowa im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego w Jedlni-Letnisku, Polska

Main hydrological features

1. Gzówka River (Gzówka / Gzówka-Pacynka)

• The most important local watercourse.

• Flows through forested areas and near the town.

• It is a tributary within a larger drainage system connected to the Radomka River.

2. Radomka River

• Located nearby (a few to several kilometers away).

• Serves as the main hydrological axis of the region.

• Influences groundwater levels and the drainage system.

Groundwater and environment

• The area around Jedlnia-Letnisko is heavily forested, forming part of the Kozienice Forest.

• Forests contribute to:

  • water retention (holding rainfall),

  • stabilization of groundwater levels,

  • reduction of rapid surface runoff.

• Shallow groundwater occurs in the area, which is important for:

  • wells,

  • construction,

  • local agriculture.

Hydrological characteristics

• Type of area: lowland forest catchment

• Water supply: mainly from rainfall and snowmelt

• Flow variability:

  • higher levels in spring (snowmelt),

  • lower levels in summer (drought periods)

Additional features

• No large natural lakes; instead, the area includes:

  • small ponds,

  • drainage ditches,

  • seasonal wetlands

• The region is valuable for nature and recreation, but it is not considered a high flood-risk area.

Since antiquity, Mt. Hymettus has been famous for its crystal-clear springs. The water flowing from the mountain was the lifeblood of ancient settlements.

• Kalopoula Spring: One of the most iconic spots on the mountain (Kaisariani). In ancient times, it was associated with "Kallirhoe," which means "beautiful flow."

• The Ram’s Head Fountain: Located at the Monastery of Kaisariani, this famous marble fountain features a ram’s head. For centuries, people considered the water flowing from it to be sacred.

2. The Ancient Eridanos Stream

Most people don't realize that Eridanos, one of the most important rivers of ancient Athens, has its sources high up on the slopes of Mt. Hymettus in Kaisariani.

• The Route: It starts at the mountain, passes through Kaisariani and Vyronas (now mostly underground), and eventually reaches the Kerameikos archaeological site in the center of Athens.

• Today: Although most of the stream is now enclosed in tunnels, its presence reminds us how water carved the landscape of our local municipalities.

3. Historical Fountains and Aqueducts

In Vyronas and Kaisariani, water was a vital meeting point, especially for the refugees who settled in these areas in 1922.

• Neighborhood Fountains: Before modern plumbing reached every home, residents relied on public fountains. In Vyronas, water management was critical for the survival and growth of the first refugee settlements.

• Hadrian’s Aqueduct: A part of this massive Roman engineering project ran near the foothills of Mt. Hymettus, transporting water from Mt. Parnitha to Athens and influencing the water map of the entire region.

4. Water as a Life-Giver

The water of Mt. Hymettus isn't just for humans; it sustains a complex ecosystem:

• Wetlands & Ponds: Within the Aesthetic Forest of Kaisariani, small ponds provide a sanctuary for amphibians, migratory birds, and local wildlife.

• Fire Protection: Water is the "guardian" of the mountain. Scattered water tanks throughout the forest (in Vyronas and Kaisariani) are essential for firefighting efforts during the dry summer months.

The "Ram's Head" Spring (Kots Bashi)

The Name and History

• Etymology: During the Ottoman period, the spring was known as "Kots Bashi," which literally means "Ram's Head." This name comes from the ancient marble spout (the fountain’s mouth) carved in the shape of a ram’s head.

• Water Source: The water doesn't actually originate directly behind the fountain. It bubbles up from the earth slightly higher up the mountain, near the small chapel of the Ascension, and is channeled to the Monastery's central courtyard through an ancient underground pipe system.

• Sacred & Healing Water: In the past, this water was considered to have healing properties. The monks used it not just for drinking, but also to supply the 11th-century Byzantine Bathhouse, which still stands today next to the main church as a rare example of such architecture.

Mythology and Fertility

• The "Kallia" Spring: Many historians identify the Kaisariani spring with the ancient "Kallia" spring, which was praised by Roman poets like Ovid.

• Cult of Aphrodite: Before the monastery was built, the area was a sacred site dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Legend had it that the spring water helped women conceive, a tradition that survived for centuries, even long after Christianity became the dominant religion.

Ecological Significance

• The Monastery’s Irrigation System: The spring water was the heart of a self-sustaining ecosystem. Using a clever system of stone channels (furrows), the monks directed the overflow to water their gardens, olive groves, and beehives, creating a lush "oasis" in the middle of the mountain.

• A Meeting Point: Today, the Ram's Head spring is considered the "gateway" to Mt. Hymettus. It is the primary gathering spot where hikers and nature lovers fill their bottles and cool off before starting their ascent into the forest trails.

1. Identity and Origins

Eridanos was one of the three major rivers of ancient Athens, alongside the Ilissos and Kifissos. Although smaller in scale, its historical and cultural value is immense. It is the only river of the capital that still flows along its ancient bed in certain areas.

2. The Springs on Mt. Hymettus

The primary sources of Eridanos are located high in the Kaisariani forest, on the slopes of Mt. Hymettus.

• The Route: The water begins its journey from the mountain peaks, creates a lush green ravine near the Monastery of Kaisariani, and flows down toward the city center.

• Ancient Purity: In antiquity, the water was so clean and fresh that it was used as a primary source of drinking water for the early settlers of the Attica basin.

3. A River that "Vanished" and "Reappeared"

• In Antiquity: As Athens grew and became more populated, the river began to suffer from pollution. As early as the time of Themistocles, parts of the river were covered or converted into vaulted channels.

• Today: For most of its length, Eridanos flows underground, passing beneath the modern streets of Kaisariani and Vyronas.

• Visible Spots: You can still see the running water of Eridanos today in only two main spots in the city: at the Kerameikos archaeological site and inside the Monastiraki Metro Station, where the ancient stream was uncovered during excavations.

4. Ecological Importance

Despite being largely hidden, the river remains a vital part of the local ecosystem:

• Sustaining the Forest: The springs at Kaisariani provide the necessary moisture to sustain the Aesthetic Forest, supporting plane trees, willows, and various local herbs.

• Natural Drainage: It continues to act as a natural drainage system, carrying rainwater from the mountain heights

Topic: The water cycle in nature

At our station, we presented a model of the water cycle. We used a diagram and a simple experiment with shaving foam to demonstrate how precipitation forms.

🔹 Explanation of the diagram

Aim:
To understand how the water cycle works in nature.

Description:
The diagram shows the main stages of the water cycle:

• evaporation – water from seas, lakes, and rivers turns into water vapor,

• condensation – water vapor forms clouds,

• precipitation – water falls to the ground as rain, snow, or hail,

• collection and infiltration – water returns to rivers, lakes, and the ground.

Conclusion:
The water cycle is a continuous process and is essential for life on Earth.

🔹 Experiment – Precipitation using shaving foam

Aim:
To demonstrate how precipitation is formed.

Procedure:
We poured water into a transparent container. Then we added a layer of shaving foam on top to represent a cloud. Next, we slowly dropped colored liquid (e.g. food coloring) onto the foam.

Results:
After some time, the colored liquid passed through the foam and fell into the water, creating a rain-like effect.

Conclusion:
When too much water collects in clouds, it falls as precipitation. The foam shows how clouds hold water until they become too heavy.

Summary

Thanks to the diagram and the experiment, we better understood how the water cycle works and how precipitation is formed.

Why Water and Energy Matter

Alaşehir uses geothermal energy (hot water from under the ground). This is helpful because:

• It provides natural heat for greenhouses.

• It is better for the environment than coal or oil.

But, there is a problem. When people use this hot water, they must protect the soil. If they throw the thermal water away incorrectly, the salt in the water can damage the farmers' land.

Nature and the River

Alaşehir is in the Gediz Basin. This area has a lot of water and very rich soil. Because of the rivers and the rain, many plants grow here, like olive trees and green bushes.

This water also helps the animals. Birds, wild boars, and small animals live near the water sources. In Alaşehir, water connects the big farms and the beautiful nature together.

We are students at Mameli secondary school.

This is a map representing rivers and lakes nearby Castelbelforte.

Sarca river springs from the Italian Alps and it flows into Garda lake.

Mincio is 78 kilometres long.

Garda lake is the biggest lake in Italy and it lays among three regions: Lombardia, Veneto and Trentino. As you can see from the poster the main tributary is Sarca and the main emissary is Mincio river.

The Mincio starts in Peschiera and it flows for 65 kilometers passing past Mantua and getting into river Po.

The river Po is the longest river of Italy.

We first wrote it in Italian and then, together with our teacher, we translated it into English. We hope you enjoy it!

Have fun!

"Garda Lake is 52 km long, deep, and safe for swimming. It is shared by three provinces: Brescia, Verona, and Trento. It was formed by a glacier many years ago. The lake is fed by the Sarca River.

Many tourists visit the lake because the landscape is very beautiful. For this reason, there are many hotels and restaurants around the lake. Ferries and boats help people travel from one town to another across the lake.

There are also cycle paths along the shores, so people who like riding bikes can enjoy visiting the area. One important activity near Garda Lake is growing lemons. The place where lemon trees are grown is called a limonaia.

The olive trees around Lake Garda are very old, and some are more than one hundred years old. Olive trees grow especially in the southern and sunnier parts of the lake.

Hello everyone! After our school trip to the lakes of Mantua, we decided to create a creative and emotional map.
This map is based on the feelings and experiences we had during that day, without focusing too much on the real distances between places.

Among the three lakes we visited, we chose to focus on Lake Superiore, the lake closest to the historic buildings of the city. These buildings were the homes of the House of Gonzaga family, one of the most important and powerful noble families in European history.

What impressed us the most were the beautiful colours, the many animal and plant species living in the lake, and the “Island of Lotus Flowers”. It is a floating island with a huge area of aquatic plants. The lotus flowers will bloom the most in July and August, but the island is already very fascinating now.

The blue point is the place of our school, the red one is Castellaro Lagusello.