The celebration of World Environment Day started one day early in the SAVA region of Madagascar this year! The entire DLC-SAVA team held an environmental education celebration at the school in the village of Andasibe Kobahina, not far from Marojejy National Park. (Marojejy is one of the last great expanses of primary rainforest in Madagascar and serves as the backdrop for the DLC-SAVA Conservation initiative.)
The celebration included a native wildlife drawing competition, lessons on creating other environmentally inspired artwork, discussions on the value of the forests and the wild animals that live there, and a special treat in the form of a Madagascar nature documentary video projection (something that people in such rural villages rarely get to see). We have never seen such intense focus as the 200 Andasibe Kobahina students had through the entire morning’s event! Tip of the hat to the dedicated DLC-SAVA team for an event well carried out under complicated remote circumstances!
Greeted upon arrival by Andasibe Kobahina students are DLC-SAVA team members – from left to right, project coordinator Marina Blanco, DLC-SAVA liaison Lydia Greene, DLC-SAVA environmental education coordinator Fusiane Razafindrainibe, and third year Peace Corps volunteer and project collaborator Libby Davis.
The DLC-SAVA team.
Forest discussion with the students led by DLC-SAVA project manager Lanto Andrianandrasana and Lydia. Libby in the foreground.
DLC-SAVA’s Fusiane with a local teacher, engaged in a forest value discussion with students.
Hard at work on animal artwork.
At the Duke Lemur Center, we know it’s not enough to care for lemurs in North Carolina alone. In Madagascar, we protect lemurs’ native habitat through partnerships with the local Malagasy people. Projects range from sponsoring environmental education programs through parks and schools to teaching alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture, and are 100% funded by private donations and grants. Please consider making a donation today.
