Bangpu Nature Education Center

Coastal landscape management or protection, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Protection of natural ecosystems, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Monitoring and maintenance of habitats and/or biodiversity

The Bangpu Nature Education Center was established to become an exemplary centre for the conservation of wetlands and mangrove forests. Specific objectives include: 1. Conserve and restore mangrove forest and wetland ecology in the inner Gulf of Thailand area. This also includes the conservation of native plants and habitats for native wildlife such as birds, fish and other organisms. 2. Promote sustainable use of natural resources, especially mangroves, through educational programs. 3. Raise awareness regarding the importance of mangrove forests towards nature and humans while encouraging people to help conserve nature. 4. Monitor native bird species in the area and improve the area to be a habitat for migratory birds. (Ref.1,2,5)

The center offers learning programs to students, and the general public, and it also carries out bird conservation and reforestation activities. 1. Educational programs: The programs are designed according to different age groups, education levels and target groups. The programs can last for 3 hours, 1 day, 2 days or longer environmental camps can also be organised. i) Program for kindergarten students: This program combines art and education of nature together. By encouraging the students to observe the animals that can be found in the wetland and mangrove area, the students are then free to express those animals through art. ii) Program for elementary students: This program aims to teach students about the different organisms and plantings that can be found in the wetland and mangrove forest and to learn how those organisms and plants adapt themselves to the environment. iii) Program for secondary and high school students: The centre is divided into 4 aspects according to the different ecology in the area. Students can learn about wetland and mangrove ecology, especially regarding the plantings, the relationship of those plants with other organisms, and the benefits that wetlands offer. They can also learn about the different local bird and migratory birds that can be found in the area. Students will have a chance to observe those birds from the bird tower and walk through the educational trail. They can also learn about coastal and mudflat ecology, the relationship of these ecology with water sources, the ecological structure and organisms in the area. Finally, they will learn about the biodiversity of the wetland and mangrove forest in Bangpu education centre. A new program about the problem of ocean trash is also offered. iv) Environmental camp: This program combines environmental education, social skills practices, and a sufficiency economy together. 2. General programs for the public: i) Learning program about basic wetland and mangrove ecology in Bangpu; Learning about how to keep natural areas clean; Learning about bird habitats; ii) Educational trail; iii) CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility activities such as planting mangrove forest and preparing seedlings for the planting activity; 3. Bird conservation activities include: i) Developing and adjusting the area to be more suitable for bird habitat; ii) Observing and counting the number of migratory birds each season; iii) Examination of seagulls for any diseases and help injured birds. 4. Reforestation activities: The center engages in reforestation efforts by planting trees in the Nature Center area. In 2020, a total of 6,580 trees were planted in the center, specifically in the western portion of Bangpu and the newly created Bruda gardens for back-mangrove tree species. The planting involved several species, including Avicennia alba, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonnerratia caseolaris, Barringtonia asiatica (Fish poison tree), Lumnitzera racemosa (White-flowered black mangrove), and Xylocarpus granatum. All plantings were carried out by the CSR program visitors of the center. The facilities that Bangpu education centre offer includes: Outdoor educational and recreational facilities: 1. 8m. high canopy observation tower 2. 4 bird observation hides 3. 600m boardwalks 4. 2.5km nature trails 5. Bird observation tower 6. 100m long canopy observation walkways Indoor Services Facilities: 1. Reception hall 2. Visitor centre 3. Small auditorium 4. Office for staff 5. Bungalow for educational camp The education centre is open to the public free of charge. It is a popular tourist spot for sunset watching and bird watching, especially during bird migratory season. (Ref.2,3,4,5,6,7,8)

• Citizens or community groups
• Young people and children