| DeforestACTION-- Update! | |
| Author: Sara Hassan, DeforestACTION | March 7th, 2012 | |
 DeforestACTION is a global movement of youth and schools taking action to stop deforestation and create a permanent habitat for orangutans and other species that depend on forest ecosystems. The program connects youth, students and educators in collaborative learning and action through the use of online educational resources and technology tools. Over the course of 2011, DeforestACTION saw unprecedented growth due to the student and school-driven nature of the project. The program hosted a series of international video conferences and webcasts for thousands of participating youth and students, provided guidance to school initiatives and supported educators to integrate the topic of deforestation in their classrooms through online educational resources, lesson plans, and teacher’s guides.  In responding to student's desire to directly halt deforestation, DeforestACTION expanded to include Earthwatchers. Developed by Geodan with support from Microsoft Partners in Learning, Earthwatchers allows students worldwide to monitor the forests of Borneo through satellite imagery, mark any notable land changes, and provide usable intelligence to local authorities to investigate deforestation. Finally, students voted on over 200 entries in a video contest to select 15 passionate youth, known as Eco Warriors, to lead project initiatives on the ground in Borneo. Working with Dr. Willie Smits and the Masarang Foundation, the Eco Warriors took their first trip to Borneo in September 2011. During this time, they gained first hand exposure to the issues and politics of deforestation and the impact of this on local communities, and relayed this information to the global network of students raising awareness and funds. To date, students, youth and supporters from around the world have raised $90,000 USD to support land conservation and animal rehabilitation efforts of the Masarang Foundation. As a 21st century global learning project, DeforestACTION has provided students an opportunity to engage in authentic, real-world problem-solving through collaborative technology, with the knowledge that their actions are affecting meaningful change for both the people and animals of Borneo. As one educator explained: "...the most empowering thing about being involved in the project is that our students are developing an awareness that technology provides the potential for them to be more powerful and influential than any generation that has come before them. By participating in a project like DeforestACTION our students are developing an understanding that by sharing their voice and connecting and collaborating on a global scale they can become the architects and problem solvers of their own futures." Lis Turner, Waggrakine Primary School, Australia DeforestACTION has much to look forward to in 2012! In March, the Eco Warriors will be returning to Borneo for an 80-day mission to collaborate on projects with Dr. Willie Smits and the Masarang Foundation. Additionally, on March 28th, you can participate in an exciting DeforestACTION live event! We will take you deep into the heart the Borneo jungle to connect with orangutans, hear from Dr. Willie Smits and the Eco Warriors about the work they are doing with the Masarang Foundation, and speak with other youth and schools around the world taking action to stop deforestation. Register now: www.tigurl.org/march2012 To get you and your school started on their DeforestACTION journey, register at www.deforestaction.org. Written by Sara Hassan DeforestACTION Program Coordinator - TakingITGlobal sara@takingitglobal.org |
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