Local communities play a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity and wildlife. As people living in close proximity to natural ecosystems, local residents are not only beneficiaries of nature’s values but also key partners in conservation efforts. Active community participation, combined with the joint efforts of government agencies, law enforcement authorities, and conservation organizations, contributes to the development of effective and sustainable solutions for nature protection. To promote this crucial role, the Center for Nature Conservation (CTNC) collaborated with local partners to organize community outreach meetings in Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province.
Connecting Communities with Conservation Efforts
On 15–16 July in Tan Phu Village, Van Ninh Commune, and on 23 July in Tan Dan II Village, Van Thang Commune, CTNC—in collaboration with the Van Ninh Forest Protection Department and the Ninh Hoa – Van Ninh Protection Forest Management Board—organized two village outreach sessions. A total of 84 local residents actively participated, including 47 participants from Tan Phu Village and 37 from Tan Dan II Village.
The outreach meetings provided an essential platform for local residents, forest rangers, and representatives of forest management agencies to come together and discuss pressing conservation issues occurring in the region. Through open discussions, real-life stories, and community sharing, participants gained deeper insights into both the challenges and opportunities involved in protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
Raising Awareness of Threatened Wildlife Species
As part of the educational program, CTNC introduced three representative wildlife species of critical conservation concern in the region:
- Black-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nigripes)
- Southern Golden-headed Box Turtle (Cuora picturata)
Through visual materials, scientific information, and real-life conservation stories, local residents learned about the key characteristics, conservation importance, and specific threats facing these endangered species. A better understanding of the rare wildlife living in their surrounding landscapes strengthens community appreciation for nature and encourages greater responsibility in protecting local biodiversity.
From Awareness Raising to Community-led Conservation Actions
A key feature of these village meetings was moving beyond basic information sharing to create an interactive space where local residents could actively participate in identifying practical conservation solutions.
After learning about relevant legal regulations concerning the illegal hunting, trapping, keeping, and transportation of wildlife, participants were divided into discussion groups. These groups analyzed the root causes of biodiversity threats and proposed tailored solutions suited to their unique community context.
Working Together to Protect Forests and Wildlife
Every community plays an indispensable role in preserving the natural values of their surrounding landscapes. When local people are listened to, share knowledge, and actively participate in decision-making processes, conservation actions become more practical, locally relevant, and effective.
CTNC sincerely thanks the 84 local residents from Tan Phu and Tan Dan II villages, the Van Ninh Forest Protection Department, and the Ninh Hoa – Van Ninh Protection Forest Management Board for their valuable support and collaboration during these community outreach activities.
By strengthening connections, knowledge sharing, and collaboration between local communities and relevant stakeholders, CTNC remains dedicated to driving effective conservation initiatives aimed at ensuring the long-term protection of forests and threatened wildlife species for current and future generations.