Grants :: Small Grant Facilities :: "For the Green of Mangroves" Clubs - Communication Model for Lower Secondary School Students in Thanh Hoa Province
Mangroves contest, Thanh Hoa province, Viet Nam © MERD, 2012
Raising awareness of lower secondary school students on mangrove ecosystem protection in 3 coastal communes of Minh Loc, Hai Loc and Da Loc, in Hau Loc district, Thanh Hoa province in the context of climate change.
More than 30 years ago, mangroves existed in four coastal communes of Xuan Loc, Hai Loc, Hoa Loc and Da Loc. Mangroves grew best in two communes of Xuan Loc and Hoa Loc, followed by Da Loc and Hai Hoa communes. However, most of the mangroves in Xuan Loc, Hoa Loc and Hai Loc were destroyed because of sea-dyke construction, land use conversion from mangroves to rice plantations, and construction of shrimp ponds.
Since 1980, international organizations such as Save the Children UK, the Japanese Red Cross, Action for Mangroves Japan and CARE international supported the rehabilitation of 464 ha of mangroves, of which 224 ha of Kandeliaobovata, 170 ha of Kandelia obovata (newly-planted) and 74 ha of Sonnertiacaseo/ariswere planted.
In 2005, typhoon Damrey caused severe damage to Hau Loc District, Thanh Hoa Province. Of the 5 km sea-dyke forming the perimeter of the district, housing and property was destroyed along the 3.7 km without mangrove habitat, whereas those behind the remaining 1.3 km with intact mangrove habitat were protected.Afterthis event local communities started realizing the importance of mangroves.
From 2010-2015, the Central Viet Nam Calamities Relief Fund invested VND 20 billion for planting 200 ha of mangroves in the three communes of Minh Loc, Hai Loc and Da Loc. This will require continued strong commitment from the communities to conduct post-planting care and protect replanted mangroves to sustain the investment. Environmental education to the young generation as the "Mcitizens of tomorrow" is essential to secure mangrove protection and conservation in these communes.
Based on a feasibility study, MERD proposed to implement the project by focusing on informal education activities on mangroves for students and teachers in three lower secondary schools in these three communes.
- More than 100 students, members of 3 For the Green of Mangroves Clubs from 3 schools.
- 2500 students from 3 schools educated the knowledge on mangroves and climate change via the informal education program.
- 70 teachers from 3 schools participating in Training of Trainers on use of “Informal education modules on mangrove ecosystem and CC for students”.
- 20,000 people from 3 communes accessing information on mangroves and climate change.
- Communications
- Climate change
Thanh Hoa is a coastal province loacted in the Northen Central region, with the 102km of coastal line. Hau Loc is one of the six coastal districts of Thanh Hoa province.
1st Oct 2011 to 31st Mar 2013
VND482,650,000
Ms. Tran Minh Phuong - Project Coordinator
MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM RESEARCH DIVISION (MERD)
Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (CRES)
Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU)
No.58, Thinh Hao I lane, Ton Duc Thang street, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel. 84-4-7335625; Fax: 84-4-7335624
E-mail: merd@netnam.vn