ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH IN NATURE CONSERVATION FOR THE STAFF OF PU HUONG NATURE RESERVE

Pu Huong Nature Reserve is among the richest biodiversity value forests in Nghe An province. With more than 46,400 ha, situated on several provinces, the Nature Reserve requires collective efforts to protect its biodiversity, especially of local people. However, forest dependence persists in the buffer zone communities which entails the need of the Reserve’s staff in raising environmental and biodiversity protection awareness for the locals. Although environmental education and outreach (EEO) activities were carried out by Pu Huong Nature Reserve in buffer zone communities in recent years, the targeted subjects are not interested. In addition, the Reserve’s staff is not focused on advancing their EEO skills in planning, organizing and implementing EEO programs.

To mitigate the shortcomings in EEO for Pu Huong Nature Reserve, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with Pu Huong Nature Reserve Management Board to organize EEO training for Pu Huong’s staff. The training focused to enhance all the skills which trainees lack, complemented by practical application in 9 communes in the buffer zone of Pu Huong. With the support of CCD in long-term EEO activities in buffer zone communities, the local people’s awareness and responsibility are expected to be raised, thus joining hands with Pu Huong Nature Reserve in protecting and restoring its biodiversity. 

With its mission, CCD aims to support management boards in protection forest, nature reserves, national parks and local partners in advancing capacity for their staff, management effectiveness and delivering potent EEO programs. With this succession, EEO activities sufficiently become an elevated tool in raising public awareness and responsibility in protecting and restoring nature in Vietnam.