Tag Archives | Education

Conservation Fusion Partners with Schools in Kianjavato

By Lynne Venart on January 20, 2017

In September, I visited the small town of Kianjavato in eastern Madagascar to meet with LCN members Conservation Fusion and Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership to learn about their work first hand. Both Conservation Fusion and MBP work closely with the villages in this area to build a strong foundation for continued conservation of the eleven lemur species in the nearby forests. Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership has worked in this region since 2009, and Conservation Fusion began their education programming here in 2010 to help teach the local children about […]

Avenue of the Baobobs. One of the most unique and picturesque landscapes in all of Madagascar.

Ecotourism and Education: How it Can Save Lemurs

By Corey Romberg on November 24, 2015

Many conservationists agree that ecotourism is the number one thing that can ensure the survival of lemurs in Madagascar. “Lemurs are the goose laying the golden eggs for Madagascar,” says Jonah Ratsimbazafy, Secretary General of GERP Madagascar. “Thousands of families depend on lemurs, because tourists will not come to see empty forests.” The local Malagasy people need to see that lemurs are more valuable alive than dead. Tourists will come to see lemurs in the wild. But much more work needs to be done […]

Ring-tailed lemur. Photo by Mathias Appel.

Madagascar: A Guide to Using the Film as an Educational Tool for Lemur Conservation

By Corey Romberg on October 27, 2015

Film’s impact on awareness of lemurs still felt years later This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Dreamworks Animation film, Madagascar, which debuted in theaters in the summer of 2005. Ten years later, the impact the film had on awareness of lemurs is still being felt around the world. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have seen the film, and a very large percentage of those were probably hearing the word ‘lemur’ for the first time. The film is […]

The Power of Storytelling to Inspire Lemur Conservation

By Corey Romberg on September 15, 2015

Stories are the Most Powerful Interpretation Tool Oral storytelling is the oldest method of transferring knowledge in human history. Stories are as old as human culture itself. And even though the medium may have changed, stories are just as important in today’s society as they were thousands of years ago. Through television, movies, books, the news, and even music, we hear new stories that move us and inspire us every day. Stories teach, inspire, entertain, and influence attitudes and beliefs […]

Corey reads the Ako Series to children at the zoo.

Inspiring Conservation of Lemurs through Education

By Corey Romberg on August 25, 2015

The Importance of Conservation Education As a conservation educator, I am a strong believer in the power of education to influence behavior and attitude changes, and I have seen the results first hand. Innovative and engaging conservation education is key to inspiring conservation action. As famed conservationist Baba Dioum once said, “We will only conserve what we love, we will only love what we understand, and we will only understand what we are taught.” Zoos provide the unique opportunity […]

Learning thru Lemurs: Lemurpalooza and Lemur Limericks!

By Lynne Venart on June 24, 2015

Teacher Robin Lee at the Ellis School in Fremont, New Hampshire, USA just finished a whole year of “Learning thru Lemurs” with her 6th grade language arts students! The students were inspired by lemurs and Madagascar all school year, reading and writing about conservation, the rainforest, and all of the amazing animals that call Madagascar home. They visited the zoo, made lemur stuffed animals, and integrated conservation words into their vocabulary lessons. Learn more about Robin Lee’s Learning thru Lemurs […]

Teacher Robin Lee's class is spending the whole school year using a lemur-based curriculum.

Learning thru Lemurs: One 6th Grade Class Spends a Year Studying All Things Lemur

By Lynne Venart on March 25, 2015

Last July, sixth grade language arts teacher Robin Lee went to the IMAX theater, knowing little about lemurs and Madagascar, and not even aware what was playing that day. She was in for a treat. On the screen was Island of Lemurs: Madagascar. The movie—and its furry co-stars—inspired her. As a teacher, she knew her students’ curiosity would be piqued by these fascinating animals and their unique home. Coming out of the cinema, I was still in awe of the movie: content, […]