Sowing green seeds to conserve wildlife in schools in Pu Mat

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Lan - Deputy Director of the Center for Wildlife Conservation in Vietnam spoke at the conference. Photo: PV

Attending the workshop were Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Lan - Deputy Director of the Center for Wildlife Conservation in Vietnam and representatives of the Forest Protection Department, Pu Mat National Park, Departmentof Education and Training of Con Cuong, Tuong Duong, Anh Son districts.

The workshop is an opportunity to look back on the 3-year journey of spreading conservation awareness to thousands of students in the buffer zone of Pu Mat National Park - considered the precious "green lung" of the Western region of Nghe An .

Together we protect Pu Mat forest

The conservation education program was launched in 2021 in Con Cuong district, with the goal of fostering a love of nature, raising awareness and action to protect wildlife in the community, especially among school-age children. After initial positive signals, the model was expanded in the 2023 - 2025 period, covering 16 schools in 3 buffer districts including Con Cuong, Tuong Duong and Anh Son.

Delegates attending the Workshop to summarize the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Education Program of Pu Mat National Park. Photo: PV

According to the representative of the Organizing Committee, the program for the 2023 - 2025 period includes 7 main components, implemented throughout 2 school years. Notably, the establishment of a core propaganda group of 24 members including teachers, rangers, forest protection officers and education officers of SVW. This is the pioneer force in organizing and spreading conservation activities in schools and communities.

A series of 20 communication events called “Pride of Pu Mat” were held at schools, attracting the enthusiastic participation of students and teachers. Along with that, the “Protecting Pu Mat Forest with Me” Club with the participation of 80 outstanding students has become an attractive educational playground, where children can learn about forests, experience nature and practice wildlife protection behaviors.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Deputy Head of Nghe An Provincial Forest Protection Department, said that the forest rangers will coordinate with agencies and organizations to propagate and educate about wildlife protection. Photo: PV

The program also includes the experiential activity “A day as a forest ranger”, helping students better understand the work of the forest protection force. In particular, 10 communication projects proposed and implemented by the core group such as: hanging signs on forest trees, organizing a presentation contest, integrating conservation content into the curriculum, have created a strong spread on social networks with more than 90,000 views.

Continue to spread awareness of nature protection

Speaking at the workshop, Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Lan - Deputy Director of the Center for Wildlife Conservation in Vietnam affirmed: "The program aims to empower local communities, including teachers, students and rangers, to become agents of change in conservation. Close connection between the parties is the key to creating positive changes, not only for Pu Mat forest but also for the future of the young generation here."

Mr. Nguyen Dien Quang - Head of the Forest Protection Department of Pu Mat National Park added: “Pu Mat National Park is one of the three core areas of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, with 94,715 hectares of special-use forest and a buffer zone of up to 86,000 hectares. This is home to many rare animal species. Therefore, community education, especially for school-age children, becomes an important pillar for a sustainable conservation strategy.”

Student clubs together carry out many initiatives to protect wildlife. Photo: PV.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Deputy Director of Nghe An Provincial Forest Protection Department said: With the role of advising and organizing implementation, the unit is striving to strengthen management work, while promoting coordination with agencies and organizations to improve the effectiveness of propaganda and education on wildlife protection. Law enforcement will be more effective when there is consensus from the community, especially the youth. Therefore, bringing conservation education into schools is identified as a sustainable strategy, contributing to spreading awareness of nature protection widely in society.

The leaders of the Department of Education and Training of the three districts also unanimously appreciated the practicality, creativity and replicability of the program. The units all affirmed their commitment to continue accompanying and expanding the scale of implementation in the coming time, making conservation a natural part of the educational journey of students.

At the end of the workshop, the Organizing Committee awarded commemorative medals and expressed gratitude to the units that trusted and accompanied the Wildlife Conservation Center in Vietnam in the Conservation Education Program for the period 2021-2025. The recognized units include: Pu Mat National Park; Department of Education and Training of Anh Son, Con Cuong, Tuong Duong districts; and 16 schools in the area that coordinated the implementation of the program.

Students of Con Cuong district enthusiastically participated in the activity "A day as a forest ranger". Photo: PV

On this occasion, the Organizing Committee also awarded certificates to the core group of propaganda for protecting Pu Mat forest, including forest rangers, teachers and staff of the center, and the Student Club with 80 active members.

The event not only recognized the practical contributions of individuals and organizations in education and conservation work, but also affirmed a sustainable orientation: conservation begins with education, and education originates from love of nature.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/geo-mam-xanh-bao-ton-dong-vat-hoang-da-trong-hoc-duong-o-pu-mat-10296972.html