Our project leader is Amber Walker-Bolton, a Canadian primate researcher doing her PhD in Biological Anthropology at the University of Toronto. Amber undertook this project on a volunteer basis. She was assisted by Nirina Columbe Sehenomalala, a graduate student (also in primate studies) at University of Antananarivo.

1) Nature field trips for urban youth

This small project provided a rare opportunity for a field trip for young participants in a conservation club in the city of Fort Dauphin. Although the ecotourism reserve visited is only 7 km outside the city, none of the youths had been there. The trip gave them the opportunity to see lemurs for the first time. Lemurs are iconic to Madagascar (and are found nowhere else), yet many locals never have the chance to see them in the wild.

Field trip participants were selected based on an essay-writing contest on a conservation related topic. Two field trips in Fall 2012 allowed the top 13 essay writers to spend a day at the Nahapoana reserve, where they explored the forest habitat on foot with a professional Malagasy ecotourism guide, and observed three species of lemur up close. Field trip expenses included the cost of guides, transportation, and food; footwear for the children to hike in was donated.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and participants came away with a new enthusiasm for conservation and appreciation of Madagascar's natural heritage. The conservation club continues to attract new members, and hopes to expand educational activities and offer additional field trips in 2013.

ICFC's perspective is that such field trips can motivate young people to pursue a career in ecotourism, field ecology or conservation. Spurring a strong connection to nature can also influence conservation long-term with individuals who end up in positions of responsibility in the public or private sector.

(2) Red Book Challenge: engaging youth in wildlife and conservation

This small project represents a continuation and expansion of the Red Book Challenge, a small-scale conservation initiative started in June 2012 by Amber and Nirina. The Challenge brings conservation lessons and collaborative fund-raising projects to young people in Berenty and Fort Dauphin.

Using the lessons of the Conservation International film Fanamby—The Bet the Berenty students were asked: "How will you embrace the Green Challenge?". Students received a postcard or a small red book with nine blank pages with which to create an original story or poem about Malagasy wildlife and conservation, or to draw pictures of local plants and animals. They also received school supplies of notebooks and colour pencils (a scarce and valued resource). The completed red books and postcards were passed on to a youth conservation club in Fort Dauphin for sale to tourists. Proceeds from the sales are used toward a small conservation/environmental project selected and carrried out by the students.

This project elicited an enthusiastic response among students, sparking an interest in nature and conservation, and showing them they can make a positive difference in their community.