Central Viet Nam's first forest school has been launched in the Son Tra Nature Reserve to provide an outdoor education site for school students in Da Nang.

Kids join the first course on nature education at the forest school at Son Tra Nature Reserve in Da Nang. — VNS Photo Huong Quynh

The head of the school, biologist Nguyen Thi Tinh, said the school was built on the boundary of the 78ha eco-tour site in the reserve. It will offer education on biodiversity, firsthand experiences with forest research and outdoor skills, and a chance to explore the lifestyle of the area's endangered red-shanked douc langurs.

Tinh said it is the first such forest school in central Viet Nam to offer valuable experiences and lessons for young students.

She said the educational programmes will include field trips in the jungle, observing the langurs and research on the area's flora and fauna starting in late August.

Visitors explore the primary forest in the Son Tra Nature Reserve. The site is an ideal place for the nature education centre for school students. — VNS Photo Huong Quynh

“We hope that school students will fall in love with the forest and wildlife as well as natural experiences," Tinh said. "The centre also plans to provide forest bathing for nature lovers and tourists in the future."

“We offer courses for groups of 26 school students for each trip. The programme targets building up young generations with love of nature and a responsibility for forest restoration and wildlife protection.”

The centre, in middle of the forest 11km from the city centre, will also host wildlife study, painting, environment clean-ups, and tree planting activities.

Last year, the city’s education and training department, in co-operation with the Centre of Biodiversity Conservation and NGO GreenViet, introduced the Son Tra Nature Education Centre – an exhibition and museum centre focused on the fauna and flora of the nature reserve on Son Tra Peninsula.

Visitors join on a jungle walk in Son Tra Nature Reserve. Da Nang is the first city in central Viet Nam to introduce a forest school for students and visitors. VNS Photo Huong Quynh

According to the city’s education and training department, more than 25,000 school students and 3,000 local residents have participated in nature awareness education activities and field trips in the jungle.

The reserve, which covers 4,400ha, is home to more than 1,300 red-shanked douc langurs and more than 1,000 plant and 370 animal species.

The reserve hosts at least 10,000 visitors per month.

(Source: VNS/ DA NANG Today)