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Conservation
Education
Ivoloina’s
education center serves both adult visitors and children.
With the building of a new Education Center and other support
from MFG members, Ivoloina has become a nationally recognized
center for environmental education. The Education Center has developed
conservation education programs to benefit both teachers and schoolchildren.
In such programs, teachers learn how to incorporate the environment
and conservation into their lessons.
The
Guide
Although the government mandated environmental curricula several
years ago, very few teachers in Madagascar have the necessary
training and knowledge. M. Gimod and a colleague developed a "Teachers'
Guide to Environmental Education" which has received praise
and support from national educators and officials. The Director
of the Tamatave school district has proposed its use in schools
and the Ministry of Education suggests that it be identified as
the primary teaching tool to promote environmental education in
Madagascar's primary schools. The teachers' guide and related
training have become a major focus for Ivoloina.
An
adjoining classroom allows school groups to receive additional
specialized instruction in conservation and environmental issues
increasing the value of their zoo visit.
Environmental Education
School children also attend specialized environmental classes
at Ivoloina. A "Saturday class" program was established
to prepare students to take the national CEPE exam to advance
to secondary school. This free public program has been extremely
popular. Many children walk long distances to attend, and almost
all the graduates of the program do pass the exam. For the last
several years, the docents at Seneca Park Zoo have raised funds
to support this program.
Sustainable
Agriculture
Ivoloina has also developed a series of demonstration gardens
which showcase sustainable agricultural and forestry techniques.
This area, called the "Model Station" demonstrates intensive
rice cultivation, reforestation, and erosion control and composting.The
Zoo has one staff member, Jacques, who does outreach education
to the public, demonstrating agricultural improvements and sustainable
living ideas. This year, a Peace Corp volunteer is helping Jacques
to expand the program. Ivoloina also has an active reforestation
program on the grounds, which uses both native and non-native
species. Local kids and adults take part in special reforestation
days at Ivoloina.
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Education
Center
The New Teacher's Guide
A
Typical Saturday Class
Sustainable
Agriculture
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