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P A G E 8
“Yet most
Malagasy kids in
the region
surrounding the
park know little
about what is
protected inside.”
A Walk Through the Forest Like Never Before
By Hilary Brueck, Peace Corps Volunteer
Teacher Trainings Begin!
continued
Marojejy NaƟonal Park in verdant northeastern Madagascar is a wondrous place for
foreign researchers and film crews alike. They can explore its massive green mountains
for months at a Ɵme, in hopes of nailing that one great photo or discovering the next
spectacular endemic species.
Yet most Malagasy kids in the region surrounding the park know liƩle about what is
protected inside. Perhaps they have heard the call
of the indri lemur now and again late at night as
they are nodding off in creaky bamboo huts. Maybe
they have even caught a glimpse of a brown mouse
lemur on quick weekend jaunts into their secondary
‘forests’ of farmland to pick up bananas, cassava or
mangoes. But their lives are so removed from the
beauty and wonders around the corner in the
primary forests of the park. The creatures and
aƩracƟons of the forest remain so hidden from days
in the rice fields and nights roasƟng plantains over
charcoal fires.
So when my enthusiasƟc English Clubbers from
the local high school asked about arranging a trip
different region of the country! Experience has taught us that teacher
training goes far beyond the transfer of informaƟon to students only.
Teachers are oŌen the most respected members of rural communiƟes, so
if they receive environmental
educaƟon
and
become
convinced of the value of
conservaƟon themselves, the
message is conveyed not only
to students, but also to adults
in the communiƟes. The training workshops
and follow‐ups help incite enthusiasm for
the conservaƟon issues, and are an effecƟve
early step in building long‐term trusƟng
relaƟonships with local peoples – a crucial
element in any viable conservaƟon project.
The training team, from left: André,
Gimod, Modest, and Lanto
(Photo by Lanto Andrianandrasana)
School directors in
Sambava at the recent
Easter training session
(Photo by Lanto
Andrianandrasana)
S A V A C O N S E R V A T I O N
Students before starting the hike to Marojejy with the
author, Hilary Brueck on the right.
(Photo by Hilary Brueck)
V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1