CLOSING THE YEAR WITH POWERFUL NUMBERS

1,057 people.

12 ethnic groups.

16 buffer-zone villages.

Over the past year, 1,057 community members (591 men and 466 women) from 12 ethnic groups — Dao, Ê Đê, H’Mông, Kinh, Mường, Nùng, Tày, Thái, Gia Rai, Xơ Đăng, Chứt, and Sán Chỉ — across 16 buffer-zone villages of Ea Sô Nature Reserve and Krông Năng Protection Forest participated in communication and awareness-raising sessions on forest protection and biodiversity conservation organized by Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD).

These sessions went beyond knowledge sharing. They deepened local understanding of the critical role and value of forests and natural ecosystems for livelihoods and daily life. More importantly, stories about endemic and endangered flora and fauna species of Đắk Lắk Province ignited a renewed sense of pride and responsibility — a shared commitment to safeguarding forests and protecting nature, not only for today but for generations to come.

With the participation of women and men, elders and youth, from diverse ethnic communities whose traditions have long been intertwined with the forest, the sessions fostered an open, inclusive, and respectful atmosphere. They also created meaningful opportunities for dialogue, mutual learning, and cross-community exchange.

This shared understanding forms a vital foundation for developing locally grounded, community-based conservation initiatives that are both practical and sustainable.

Conservation is not only about protecting forests or planting trees. It is about walking alongside communities to preserve the values that sustain human life and to nurture a thriving planet for all.

CCD remains committed to partnering with local communities and stakeholders, integrating scientific knowledge with indigenous wisdom to advance community-based conservation solutions — contributing to the sustainable protection, restoration, and enhancement of biodiversity values.