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From November 6th to 15th, 2024, the CCD Center collaborated with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Vietnam Environment Fund to organize a capacity-building training course for 100 tourism officials from the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, tour operators, and local guesthouses/homestays. The training course is part of the project "Integrating natural resource management and biodiversity conservation targets into socio-economic development planning and management of biosphere reserves in Vietnam" (abbreviated as the BR project). During the training course, participants were equipped with knowledge and skills in guiding techniques and organizing ecotourism activities, developing presentations, and other guiding activities. The training course also included field trips to various locations in Cat Tien National Park such as the Wildlife Rescue Center, Cat Tien Natural Museum, the ancient Tung tree, the Bac Dong tree, and locations in the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve such as the Southern Central Office Relic and the giant Ko-nia tree. The training course also featured the participation of special members, forest rangers who are directly connected to the forest and have many interesting stories about the fascinating connection between nature, culture, and the history of Dong Nai. In the coming time, CCD will continue to collaborate with the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve to train and enhance the tourism capacity of relevant stakeholders to further improve guiding activities, develop ecotourism, protect natural resources, and environmental education in the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve. The Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve was recognized in 2011 with a total area of 756.00 hectares located in five provinces, including Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Lam Dong, and Dak Nong. The biosphere reserve has two important core zones: Cat Tien National Park and Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, with many rare flora and fauna species and is a destination for thousands of tourists each year. The Biosphere Reserve is a combination of many values, making it an attractive ecotourism destination with various wildlife observation routes and exploring natural forest ecosystems, to ecotourism, community tourism, and water tourism on the Dong Nai River and Tri An Lake, to tourism activities combined with environmental and historical education.

As part of the training program "Using SMART Tools and Forest Patrol Techniques" (November 5-14, 2024), under the project "Conservation of Threatened Species in Hanoi" funded by USAID Vietnam, CCD has provided rangers and community patrol groups with the methodology to use the SMART tools. This tool enables the collection and development of a biodiversity database for the Huong Son Special-use Forest (Mỹ Đức District, Hanoi) Using the SMART tool is an important skill to improve patrolling, monitoring, and researching on biodiversity. CCD hopes that rangers and the six members of the community patrol group established under the project will apply these skills to contribute to the protection of wildlife, particularly the critically endangered Delacour's langur, in Hương Sơn Forest Stay tuned for more updates on biodiversity conservation activities in Hanoi in our upcoming posts!

Hanoi city is in the return of migratory birds, offering urban residents a renewed connection with nature. This setting raises concerns about nature conservation and wildlife welfare, as Hanoi city is not only home to humans but also to diverse natural species. Tune in the discussion: “Hanoi in Bird Season: A Story of Ecological Balance” as we explore the intersections between nature and humanity, reflecting on these issues in Vietnamese and global contexts. By getting diverse insights, together people will come up with solutions that further harmonize the relationship between nature and the residents at the capital. In the picture is a Critically Endangered yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola), taken at Hanoi city. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBM0lqTxFIY

Recently, the final batch of tree seedlings was handed over by the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) to local residents and cooperatives in Huong Son Commune, Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province. Prior to this, CCD had distributed and planted 80,000 trees in September. With this final delivery, CCD and our partner, One Tree Planted, have successfully met the goal of restoring 100,000 native trees helping to connect areas of high biodiversity along the Truong Son Mountain Range. These trees are expected to provide natural shade for coffee plantations, reforest barren land, and rehabilitate degraded areas, while also increasing local incomes through the collection of non-timber forest products and forest environmental service payments. CCD and our partners will continue to support households and cooperatives that received the seedlings with sustainable forestry techniques. This will enhance the conservation of native species, contribute to local livelihoods, and regenerate natural forests rich in biodiversity. The initiative aims to harmonize the greenery of the Truong Son Range with the prosperity and cultural heritage of the local ethnic communities.

Recently, CCD, in collaboration with The Learning Project and UNIS Hanoi, organized a 3-day volunteer program for 87 students to design and build enclosures for animals at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. During the program, the students gained valuable knowledge and hands-on experience in designing species appropriated spaces to promote the natural behaviors of rescued turtles, pythons, monitor lizards, and macaques. These activities were conducted under the direct supervision and guidance of CCD's wildlife rescue experts stationed at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. from left to right:Picture 1: Building a turtle enclosurePicture 2: Completing a turtle enclosurePicture 3: Placing furnishings in a small animal enclosure©CCD/2024 As part of CCD’s Wildlife Rescue & Release Program, organizing volunteer activities for students is a key priority. This initiative aims to help young people understand the biology and behaviors of wildlife, as well as the challenges of illegal hunting and trafficking. Additionally, the program encourages active participation and voluntary contributions to the care, biosecurity, and eventual rewilding efforts for rescued animals.

Red River Delta Inter-provincial Wetland Biosphere Reserve (Red River Biosphere Reserve) , recognized by UNESCO in 2004, spans over 105,000 hectares across the three provinces of Ninh Binh, Thai Binh, and Nam Dinh. The Red River Biosphere Reserve encompasses 12 habitat types, including mudflats, intertidal zone, grasslands, mangrove forests, sand dunes, etc., providing a home to numerous species of rare and endangered wildlife, both in Vietnam and globally, while also playing a vital role in disaster prevention. Additionally, the Red River Biosphere Reserve supports sustainable livelihoods for fishermen through various economically valuable aquatic species. Due to its unique natural and social characteristics and its complex interprovincial management structure, the Red River Biosphere Reserve requires periodic assessments to improve management effectiveness and fulfill its conservation, research, and development functions. from left to right:Picture 1-3: Discussing on survey and evaluation plan at the Red River Biosphere Reserve at three provinces of Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh and Thai Binh©CCD/2024 As part of the project "Mainstreaming Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation Objectives into Socio-economic Development Planning and Management of Biosphere Reserve in Viet Nam" (BR Project), Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) supports a 10-year periodic assessment of the Red River Biosphere Reserve for the 2014-2024 period. CCD will evaluate the current management status, conservation challenges, and opportunities within the Red River Biosphere Reserve to develop a comprehensive report and provide guidance on rezoning based on the status quo and lessons learned from a decade of management activities. from left to right:Picture 4: Picture 4: Clam farming are at Thai Do commune, Thai Thuy district, Thai Binh provincePicture 5: Picture 5: The Red River Biosphere Reserve encompasses thousands of hectares of mangrove forests, which serve as a habitat for numerous wildlife species and act as a green barrier against natural disastersPicture 6: Picture 6: A flock of spoonbills at Xuan Thuy National Park – Nam Dinh province©CCD/2024 In the coming period, CCD is committed to providing technical support to meet UNESCO's requirements in the 10-year periodic review of the Red River Biosphere Reserve. Additionally, CCD will continue to work closely with stakeholders to harmonize conservation with community development, thereby laying a foundation for sustainable development strategies in the future.

In September, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) delivered nearly 80,000 seedlings of valuable timber species such as Magnolia tonkinensis, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Dalbergia cochinchinensis, Dalbergia oliveri, Afzelia xylocarpa to households and cooperatives in Huong Son and Huong Phung communes, Huong Hoa district, Quang Tri province, with financial support from One Tree Planted. These trees are meant to revive degraded, barren areas, and agricultural plots to stablize soil and retain water, provide shade, enhance agricultural and silvicultural productivity, and strengthen the protective function of the upstream of Ben Hai and Rao Quan rivers, while also contribute to the income of the local people and conserving those planted species. from left to rightPicture 1: Vigorous seedlings delivered to the peoplePicture 2: CCD's team coordinated with representatives from the People's Committee, forest rangers, suppliers, and transport units to ensure the correct recipients, quantities, species, and delivery locations for the seedlings.Picture 3: CCD's team providing silvicultural techniques of the tree species for local people.©CCD/2024 In an effort to restore ecosystems in the Annamite Range, countering deforestation, extreme weather, thus secure and rewild habitats for wildlife, CCD has been working with partners to mobilize resources and implement sustainable development projects. Additionally, CCD focuses on raising awareness among local communities about the value of biodiversity and providing silvicutural techniques to improve local livelihoods, thereby contributing to the unique economic and cultural development of the region. from left to rightPicture 4, 5: Households and cooperatives receiving the seedlingsPicure 6: Planting trees©CCD/2024

Recently, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation team from Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) collaborated with veterinarians from Four Paws Vietnam to conduct health assessments on wild animals at the Rescue, Conservation, and Species Development Center at Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province. The coalition examined and diagnosed 10 animals, including various species of monkeys, wreathed hornbills, reticulated pythons, asian palm civet, wildcats, bengal monitor, darters, and changeable hawk-eagle. During this mission, parties shared techniques for health checks and minor surgical procedures with veterinarians at Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. from left to rightImage 1: General health check for a reticulated pythonImage 2: Minor surgery on a monkeyImage 3: Health check for a wildcat©CCD/2024 Wildlife at the Rescue, Conservation, and Species Development Center were rescued by authorities from illegal wildlife trafficking networks and subsequently transferred to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park for rehabilitation and re-release back into the wild. In this year, CCD has actively supported this process at Phong Nha - Ke Bang by providing direct technical consultation and carring rescued animals. Additionally, CCD collaborates with highly specialized veterinary units to ensure the animals receive optimal conditions to recover their health, instincts, and preparing for their homecoming.

On September 16, 2024, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) launched the project "Conserving Threatened Species in Hanoi city." The project will support improving the effectiveness of forest and wildlife protection in the city. This is one of the first two projects in the field of wildlife trafficking prevention to be directly funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for Vietnamese science and technology organizations. from left to right:Picture 1: Ms. Debra Mosel, Deputy Director of USAID Vietnam, shared USAID's vision for conservation in Vietnam, emphasizing the importance of collaborating with actively engaged Vietnamese science and technology organizations.Picture 2: Overview of the launching ceremony©CCD/2024 The project aims to conserve 100% of the newly discovered population of delacour’s langurs (Trachypithecus delacouri) in the Huong Son forest, reduce wildlife crimes in Hanoi’s forests by 80%; improve the management of 3,600 hectares of natural limestone forest in My Duc district. In addition, the project will standardize the procedures for rescuing, rehabilitating, re-releasing, and post-release monitoring of wildlife and share these practices with at least 10 other rescue centers. Raising awareness of the public, especially the student is one of the key objectives in the project, for at least 300 students is targeted to adopt correct attitudes and behaviors toward wildlife conservation, along with minimum of 500,000 people are disseminated the message of nature and wildlife protection via campaigns on VOV and at the Huong Pagoda festival. from left to right:Picture 3: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Ngoc Linh, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), shared about the efforts of grant recipients in conservation work in Vietnam and, on behalf of the organizations, expressed gratitude to the grant provider, USAIDPicture 4: Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha - CCD's Director shares the project: "Conserving Threatened Species in Hanoi city"©CCD/2024 To achieve these outcomes, within the framework of the project, CCD will collaborate with local government, communities, and schools to ensure the survival and recovery of endangered wildlife species and to sustain and conserve critical habitats in Hanoi. This will be done through strengthening the capacity of management and law enforcement agencies to combat illegal wildlife trade, improving procedures for wildlife release and post-release monitoring, raising public awareness to reduce the consumption of wildlife products, and working with secondary schools to raise students' awareness about taking positive actions for wildlife and nature.

Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park is located in Tan Trach commune, Bo Trach district Quang Binh province. The park is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with 2,953 plant species and 1,394 animal species, including rare and indicator species of the limestone forest ecosystem. A significant contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration in the park comes from the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife. Since its establishment until the end of 2023, Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center under Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park has received and rescued 1,439 individual and released 1,335 individuals of wild animals to the wild. The center is advancing its capacity to rescue multi-species in the Central Vietnam. This goal required periodic capacity-building activities for the staff to update their knowledge, skills and complete rescue, care, and release procedures at the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center. In July, the Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with the Asian Turtle Program (ATP) of Indo-Myanmar Conservation, conducted a training course on turtle rescue and care for the veterinary staff at the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center. The training shared experience and expertise in rescue procedures, care, identification, and documentation, as well as providing guidance on health checks, weight monitoring, and creating a suitable living environment for turtles at the Center. In the near future, CCD will continue to collaborate with the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center on enhancing the standards of rescue, care, and release of wildlife; training staff on related skills and animal welfare; designing enclosures and planning conservation and rehabilitation spaces; upgrading facilities and equipment; and mobilizing financial supports. Not only accompany for development at the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, CCD’s Wildlife Rescue & Release Program promote the foregoing in every related centers in Vietnam. Moreover, by becoming competitive and succesful in biodiversity conservation, any wildlife rescue, conservation, and development center will have a higher chance of prosper in ecological tourism, experiential learning, experience sharing, and scientific research.

On August 23rd, at Vu Quang National Park, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with Vu Quang National Park in Ha Tinh Province, held a conference to summarize the conservation project for the northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys). The project was financially supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Species Conservation Fund (SCF). Picture 1: Overview of the closing event©CCD/2024 After more than a year of implementation, the project not only completed the database of 27 groups, consisting of 70 individuals of the northern white-cheeked gibbon in Vu Quang National Park but also provided training to staff, rangers, and community groups on surveying, monitoring, and conserving gibbons and other primates. Additionally, the project raised awareness among communities, local residents, and students about biodiversity and the importance of wildlife species such as red-shanked douc, dark muntjak and serow, Owston's palm civet and otter. from left to rightPicture 2: Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha - CCD's Director is sharing the project's results and recommendationsPicture 3: Mr. Ngo Cong Chinh - Deputy Chief of Party - USAID Biodiversity Conservaton is sharing about the project©CCD/2024 In the coming time, the CCD will continue to provide technical support to Vu Quang National Park to enhance effectiveness in surveying, monitoring endangered wildlife species. Vu Quang and other protected areas in the Central Annamite are known for their high biodiversity and rich habitats – home to many endangered wildlife. In these areas, effective and sustainable conservation efforts will require measures to reduce dependence on forest resources, improve livelihoods for local people, and raise awareness about the value of natural ecosystems in human development. These are the activities that the CCD is focused on implementing with its partners to form a collective effort against deforestation, climate change, natural disasters, and pandemics.

Hoang Lien Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center in Lao Cai province has the function of rescuing and conserving, breeding wild flora and fauna, providing scientific and technical consultation on rescue and conservation; building databases for research, education, and biodiversity conservation. In its wildlife rescue efforts, the center has received 239 cases involving 647 individuals, including many endangered and rare species listed in Group I and Group II under the Vietnamese Government's Decree 84/2021/ND-CP. The success rate of the rescues is over 90%, and 367 individuals of 83 species have been released back into their natural habitats. Contributing to these achievements, since 2021, the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Team of Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) has directly coordinated with Hoang Lien Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center in rescue and release efforts at Hoang Lien National Park. In recognition of these collaborative achievements, Hoang Lien Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center awarded certificates of merit to CCD’s team as well as other individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Hoang Lien Wildlife Rescue, Conservation, and Development Center development during the ceremony celebrating its 10th anniversary (July 21, 2014 - July 21, 2024). As part of the CCD's Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Program, the team actively supports rescue centers nationwide in improving facilities to best accommodate reception, care, medical treatment, and rehabilitation of wild animals. The Rescue and Rehabilitation team also promote communication efforts to raise public awareness and responsibility in conserving wild flora and fauna, strengthen cooperation to utilize diverse experiences and seek support in biodiversity conservation.