years for a variety of audiences, including teachers, students and the general public. It has also developed formal environmental education curricula for different target groups. Because of the success of its environmental education programmes and modules, these have been integrated and applied at national student camps under the auspices of the Office of the Basic Education Commission, Ministry of Education. Increased environmental awareness among students and visitors to BNEC. Since the implementation of the formal nature curriculum, 42,000 students from 74 schools in Samut Prakan province and nearby areas have benefitted from nature education activities at BNEC from May 2005 to February 2011. The achievements of BNEC are highlighted by the visits by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti. Biodiversity conservation. The nature education centre has helped protect the biodiversity of the reserve through mangrove forest reforestation, and habitat development and improvement. This has led to the increase in population of the resident and migratory birds, and has strengthened the survival of many endangered species. Lessons Learned Environmental partnerships strengthen outcomes. The BNEC represents a partnership between different stakeholders with very different mandates. The Royal Thai Army provided support by supervising the construction and maintenance of wildlife observation hides, boardwalks and paths. It also utilized its powerful profile and connections to heighten both public interest and media interest in the site. WWF Thailand developed quality education programmes for schoolchildren and used its global conservation network to link with other nature and wetland centres in the region. Finally, the business sector financed the education programme as part of their respective corporate social responsibility programmes. The importance of support from the business sector in nature education. Three nature education centres in Thailand, namely Bang Pu Nature Education Centre in Samut Prakran Province, Nature Agriculture Education Centre (NAEC) in Pathumthani Province, and the Education for Sustainable Development Centre (ESDC) at Sirindhorn International Environmental Park (SIEP)- a nature education facility of RCE Cha-am, in Phetchaburi Province, have all benefitted from substantial support from the business sector. Aside from BNEC, Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. also provides financial support to ESDC, while Thai Bridgestone Co., Ltd. is providing support to NAEC with 36.7 million baht for eight years. All three centres were formed through collaborations between the government, WWF Thailand, and the local community with significant support from business sector. The effective collaboration among the government, a committed conservation organization, and the private sector in the development of the Bang Pu Nature Education Centre and other environmental education centres in Thailand shows that the three sectors can work together towards a common goal. Biodiversity conservation can only work with the support of all stakeholders. Synergy between stakeholders is significant in expanding environmental education and knowledge, protecting Thailand’s biodiversity, and thus ensuring sustainable development. ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY 87
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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