VIDuring a 21-day continuous field trip, the survey team visited three communes — Yang Mao, Cư Pui, and Cư Drăm — located in the buffer zone of Chư Yang Sin National Park (CYS NP), with the aim of gathering information on the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of local residents, teachers, and students. This data will inform the design of educational and awareness-raising activities focused on biodiversity conservation. The planned educational outputs include a mobile biodiversity exhibition, a set of teaching tools integrating conservation knowledge, and a series of “fun while learning” activities that aim to enhance community engagement and understanding of the importance of biodiversity protection in Chư Yang Sin National Park specifically, and Vietnam more broadly.
During the survey, the team conducted quantitative questionnaires with 220 local residents and 350 students in grades 6 and 7 across the three communes. In addition, qualitative interviews were carried out with seven teachers from local secondary schools. The collected information helps clarify the current state of awareness and learning expectations of each target group, which in turn informs the appropriate content and delivery methods for future educational efforts.
Beyond the official survey activities, the team also recorded observations related to conservation realities in the area, such as the presence of traps for sale in central village markets and residential areas. In one jewelry shop, suspected bear claws and wild boar tusks were on display. These findings reveal the prevalence of behaviors that may harm wildlife, and serve as a basis for reinforcing legal and ethical conservation education moving forward.
This field trip was further marked by the enthusiastic support and invaluable collaboration from Chư Yang Sin National Park staff, school principals, village leaders, and local residents. Their open cooperation and willingness to facilitate access enabled the survey team to carry out activities effectively, while also underscoring the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in conservation efforts.
Overall, this survey represents not only an important first step in designing practical and context-relevant educational products, but also a key opportunity to connect stakeholders within the conservation network in the buffer zone of Chư Yang Sin National Park. In the coming period, educational content developed from the survey results will be piloted and refined to ensure optimal outreach impact, with the goal of promoting community awareness, responsibility, and positive behavior toward biodiversity conservation.