Environmental Education in Nature Reserve Areas in Southwestern China: What Do We Learn From Caohai?

• In Event: Cases of Places: Place-Based Education and International Environmental Ed Approaches

Abstract

Implementation of environmental education program (EE) in primary schools in China faces significant challenges. Initiating such programs in nature reserve area in southwestern China is particularly difficult, due to exam-oriented educational system and financial constraints. We examine a relatively successful case at the Caohai Nature Reserve in Guizhou. The initiative, begun over 11 years ago, resulted in a strong collaboration among the Nature Reserve, local schools, farmers, and international NGO. Results indicate that locally social capital constructions have contributed to a strong cooperative relationship among partners. EE combined with poverty alleviation was the main approach in early stage. In latter stage, regular environmental curriculum in Project School is emphasized. Avid support from local school executive leaderships greatly influences its sustainability.

Authors

• Yun Wen Chan, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Nancy Mathews, University of Vermont

• Fengshan Li