Explore the forest to love nature more

A day away from the dusty and stuffy city, a group of middle and high school students went deep into the regenerated forest, exploring the forest in Dong Nai Cultural Nature Reserve.

Ms. Do Thi Thanh Huyen (left) introduces the Trung Quan leaf and the historical significance of this plant - Photo: BINH MINH

The program is a Blue Angel scholarship organized by Gaia Nature Conservation Center to help young people understand more about forest ecosystems and get closer to nature. From there, they will be more responsible for their life choices towards environmental protection and sustainable development.

Forest embraces, forest protects

There are many reasons for each of you to join this journey. Nguyen Le Bao Truc (grade 11, Truong Chinh High School, Ho Chi Minh City) said that he realized that many people do not know the great effects of nature on life, so he wanted to learn and spread the message of environmental protection to more people, to preserve and plant more forests.

Meanwhile, Kieu Gia Cuong (grade 9, Vo Truong Toan Secondary School, Dong Nai province) chose to go into the forest to breathe fresh air, exercise and relax after tiring days of studying.

Tran Do Quyen (grade 12, Ben Tre High School for the Gifted, Ben Tre province) said that she has participated in many extracurricular activities on environmental protection and climate change, but not having had the opportunity to explore the forest is a big shortcoming.

Your journey will be guided by uncles and aunts who will provide information about each species of tree and animal living in the forest. Seeing the sunlight shining through the sparkling leaves, the spider busy spinning its web or the thousands of termites crawling on the trunk of a giant tree... all make these young urban people fascinated and amazed.

The only sounds the group could hear were cicadas, insects, and leaves rustling with each step. The air was incredibly fresh, with no sound of motorbike engines.

Bao Truc always said that the forest feels like a living entity when the trees seem to be able to move, listen to anyone's heart, as if wanting to embrace and protect everyone.

Spreading out a tarp, everyone sat down to enjoy grilled chicken with chili salt, bamboo rice with sesame salt, roasted peanuts with salt... amidst the vast green of trees and leaves.

The first time he experienced lunch in the middle of the forest, Gia Cuong was moved: "Lunch in the middle of the forest, smelling the scent of grass and trees, very different from the stuffy concrete walls of everyday life, made me feel free from fatigue and extremely comfortable. This feeling is much more valuable in the space of a luxurious restaurant."

Entering the forest is like stepping into another world with no dust or smoke, only the sound of cicadas chirping, creating a completely separate and private space.

TRAN DO QUYEN (grade 12, Ben Tre High School for the Gifted)

Young people will contribute to changing the future

Ms. Do Thi Thanh Huyen - founder and executive director of Gaia Nature Conservation Center - said that the unit is doing many forest planting and nature experience programs with businesses. She said that many people are worried about their children, discussing the story of artificial intelligence (AI) and whether it can replace jobs in the future when technology dominates.

However, there are skills that AI cannot replace humans, such as emotional intelligence, which, according to Ms. Huyen, can be trained through contact with nature. Research proves that when we are in contact with nature, love trees and small animals around us, we will form emotions about things happening in life and society.

When observing what is happening, thinking about human actions to know right from wrong to make decisions, thereby practicing leadership skills and critical thinking.

"Gaia always tells stories about nature to young people, helping them see beautiful and interesting things. Just understanding will make you love each branch and blade of grass more when you know their uses in human life," Ms. Huyen shared.

The Blue Angel Scholarship helps students learn about sustainable development, explore and experience a typical tropical dry forest, home to one of the last elephant herds in Vietnam, to understand the great value as well as the challenges of the forest.

You will be more connected with nature through the challenge of trekking through the forest, conquering tunnels, visiting specimens of rare wild animals and plants, experiencing counting, taking surveillance photos, and evaluating the growth of forest trees...

Not only for students, this scholarship is also aimed at university students to inspire and spread more love and responsibility for nature among young people. Like the name Gaia in Greek mythology meaning Mother Earth, the Blue Angel scholarship hopes that young people will contribute to changing the future and the world, especially related to nature.

Give more faith to young people

One of the advantages is that the world is talking more about nature, and young people are also more interested. Research shows that Gen Z is willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products.

The wave of technology and social networks is currently causing young people to have more concerns. Gaia wants to keep up with the trend of technology application while finding new ways of communication, sending messages quickly and accurately about environmental issues, approaching them in a sustainable way, not superficially following trends.

Before the trip, Ms. Thanh Huyen said she was quite concerned about whether young people had enough concern for the environment and nature when they were all students. However, throughout the trip, hearing the students ask questions about the environment, she said she went from one surprise to another.

"You have a deep understanding of nature, which makes me believe in young people even more, believing that they will contribute to solving many environmental problems in the future," Ms. Huyen shared.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/kham-pha-rung-them-yeu-thien-nhien-20241127102325157.htm