Vrhnika is a municipality in central Slovenia which, due to its natural geographic characteristics and diverse historical development, is rich in natural and cultural heritage. Based on the case of Vrhnika, this master’s thesis examines young people’s attitudes toward their local environment and highlights the mutually beneficial effects of their involvement in the processes of interpreting and preserving natural and cultural heritage. The research results suggest limited interest among pupils in natural and cultural heritage, as well as a lack of interest in exploring their local area. This lack of interest can be attributed to insufficient knowledge of natural and cultural heritage, as reflected in the survey responses of ninth-grade pupils from Vrhnika. Primary education plays an important role in raising awareness among young people about the value of natural and cultural heritage, with the curricula for geography and history providing the greatest opportunities for integrating such content into teaching. Based on the findings of the literature review and empirical research, the master’s thesis offers various proposals for incorporating the natural and cultural heritage of the local environment into geography and history lessons in primary school. The teaching materials are intended for students in grades 6-9 of primary schools.
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