Integrating Lemur Conservation into Education and Community Outreach through Schools and Festivals
Integration of lemur conservation on every subject in primary school, case of calculus
Harison Randrianasolo Conservation International
Learning about the importance of Conservation has no age limit, and schools are a powerful entry point for long-term impact. In Fierenana, the BIOPAMA Project worked with 27 public and private primary and secondary schools to integrate lemur conservation into teaching practices. Through a series of workshops, 144 teachers were trained to incorporate environmental protection and sustainable resource management into their curricula, with a special focus on lemurs. CI also collaborated with the Ministry of National Education to embed lemur conservation into the national environmental education framework.
A highlight of this initiative was also the use of public events to raise awareness about lemur conservation. This took place through the annual Lemur Festival, organized as part of the CAZ4Lemur project. The first two editions attracted 1,200 and 1,500 participants respectively. Led by the mayor and supported by local authorities, COBAs, school representatives, and community members, the festival featured a carnival, official ceremonies, and creative activities such as poetry, theatre, and dance. Children wore lemur masks, colored themed sheets, and participated in workshops. The slogan, “Varika: tsy fiompy, tsy fihinana, fa haingo ary mampaharitra ny ala” (“The lemur is not a pet, nor food, but a beauty that preserves the forest”), captured the spirit of the event. The festival concluded with a documentary screening on lemurs and environmental protection.
Complementary activities included law enforcement training for patrollers and pre/post-festival workshops for teachers.
The success of this initiative was made possible through inclusive collaboration. The project partnered with the Ministry of National Education, specifically the Globe Program and the Directorate of Mass Education and Civics (DEMC), to develop educational modules on environmental conservation.
Fierenana’s 27 schools are supported by two ZAP (Administrative and Educational Zone) heads, who helped coordinate the cascade training model. Selected teachers were trained on lemur and habitat conservation and then tasked with training their peers. The CISCO office in Moramanga ensured alignment with national pedagogical standards. The project also worked alongside other NGOs and associations to reinforce conservation messaging across different platforms.
Educational tools such as game cards, signs, coloring pages, and lemur photos proved highly effective in sparking students’ interest in nature. However, broader distribution of these materials is needed to ensure all teachers are equipped, especially when teaching schedules overlap.
Although environmental themes are officially part of the national curriculum, integrating lemur-specific content required thoughtful preparation of tailored teaching materials. Documentary screenings also proved impactful, drawing strong interest from both students and parents.
Finally, collaboration between teachers and patrollers during field visits or nature outings greatly enhanced mutual learning. Knowledge exchanges should flow both ways—between educators, patrollers, and families—to build a stronger, more informed conservation community.