On the last Friday of September, 26th September 2025, the campus of the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague turned into one big scientific playground. It was the Reseacher's Night 2025, the largest popularisation event of its kind in the Czech Republic, which this year carried the theme “Wealth.”
More than 130 institutions across the country took part in the jubilee twentieth year– and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences of CZU was once again among those that managed to captivate hundreds of visitors with an original and diverse programme.
Visitors to the faculty had the opportunity to discover the wealth hidden in forests and wood – not only in the natural sense, but also in the realms of science, design, and sustainability. The entire evening was marked by the interconnection of tradition, research, and modern technologies.
There were themed lectures such as “The Hidden Wealth of Pyrophilous Insects,” which introduced species living in post-fire habitats and their importance for forest regeneration. Equally engaging was the series “The Wealth of Wood, Science, and Victory,” focused on wood as a renewable material and a phenomenon connecting nature, architecture, and technological progress.
The programme also included an interactive furniture design workshop, where visitors could try designing a children ’s bed or a bookcase and use a computer programme to create their own visualisation. The faculty demonstrated that working with wood can be not only a craft, but also a modern and creative discipline.
A great deal of interest was sparked by demonstrations of forest wealth – visitors learned about the genetic diversity of local tree species, understood the importance of forests for the landscape and climate, and could try identifying different types of wood by their structure and scent.
The programme featured many fascinating aspects of the wealth that forests and nature offer us.
The Night of Scientists attracted hundreds of visitors of all ages to the campus, where they could try experiments, listen to lectures, or take part in games and competitions. The atmosphere was, friendly, curious, and full of discoveries.
We look forward to the next year!
