On May 26, 2022, Pu Mat National Park and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, in collaboration with Con Cuong Department of Education and Training successfully organized the evaluation conference of the Education Program to Raise Awareness of Nature and Wildlife Conservation in Pu Mat National Park.
The conference was a great success with the participation of nearly 150 representatives from Pu Mat National Park, Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, Con Cuong Education and Training Department and Con Cuong Youth Union, together with the representatives from School Board Directors, teachers in charge of the Youth Union and Club students of 12 primary and secondary schools in Yen Khe, Chau Khe, Mon Son communes and Con Cuong town. In particular, at the conference, there was an award ceremony for 16 students with the best essay in 1,404 entries submitted to the writing contest “Join me to protect Pu Mat forest”.
The conservation education program for primary and secondary students in the buffer zone aims to raising their awareness about protecting natural resources and wildlife in Pu Mat National Park, encouraging their love of nature, enabling them to have practical activities to protect the forest and the environment.
In two years, the program has reached a total of 6,194 students in the buffer zone, of which 554 students are members of the Club “Join me to protect Pu Mat forest” – the core force in participating in conservation activities at school.
Awarding prizes to 16 excellent students who won the writing contest “Join me to protect Pu Mat forest”. Photo by SVW/Loc Van Thang
Representatives of the club members voted to maintain the club’s activities in the following school years. Photo by SVW/Loc Van Thang
According to the results of the survey before and after the program, students’ knowledge about nature and wildlife has increased significantly, especially the identification of endangered wildlife species at Pu Mat National Park such as Pangolin, Saola, and Otter. Most of the children were able to distinguish what should and shouldn’t do to protect the forest. Especially, 98% of the children surveyed confirmed that they will not choose to do jobs that are harmful to the forest when growing up. This is a clear demonstration of the success and effectiveness of the Education Program to Raise Awareness of Nature and Wildlife Conservation in Pu Mat National Park.
Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong, the Director of Pu Mat National Park, stated at the seminar: “During the two years of implementing the program with many difficulties and challenges due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, the plan had to constantly change, but the staff of the program have made efforts to bring the program to the finish line with positive and impressive results.”
At the end of the conference, Mr. Le Thanh An, the Head of Con Cuong Education and Training Department, shared: “Through the program, children’s awareness has changed markedly and is reflected in their essays submitted to in the writing contest ‘Join me to protect Pu Mat forest’. This proves that the activities of the program have brought remarkable results. On behalf of Con Cuong Education and Training Department, I would like to conclude that the school continues to actively carry out two activities: the game set ‘The way home’ and the Kid Presenter broadcasting program, and continues to maintain the Club ‘Join me to protect Pu Mat forest’ and the nature experience program in Pu Mat National Park. At the same time, I also want to expand the program to 100% of schools in Con Cuong district.
For the next step, the Con Cuong Education and Training Department, Pu Mat National Park and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife will continue to discuss and plan an appropriate conservation education program for the new school year 2022-2023.”
About the Education Program to Raise Awareness of Nature and Wildlife Conservation in Pu Mat National Park
The Education Program to Raise Awareness of Nature and Wildlife Conservation in Pu Mat National Park has 5 main components, including (1) Social research on awareness, attitude and behavior of students towards nature and wildlife conservation; (2) Nature Conservation Events – After-school activities; (3) “Join me to protect Pu Mat forest” student club; (4) Nature experience field trips; and (5) Kid Presenters broadcasting program.
