Talk Program... A step to new vision...

YFN organized an interaction and talk program on 31^st March 2011 at Boudha Stupa Resturant. The program was attended by around 29 youths who were invited through mail on a reply of volunteer call notice of YFN. The notified applicants included the fresh and energetic youths/students of environment science, forestry including sociology and medicine too who were keen to work for nature conservation.

The program was facilitated by Ms. Sangita Pant, treasurer of YFN. Ms. Bunu Gauli, secretary of YFN formally commenced the program with welcome speech. The specific goal of the program was to introduce the organization Youth for Nature among the youth inciting them to join hands with the organization to strengthen the working team of it.

Mr. Suraj Upadhaya, president of YFN gave a presentation on introduction of YFN, its aims, objectives, activities, plans and its copartners focusing on GIL project, a joint venture of YFN and Long Yang Organization of Munich, Germany. He urged the participants of diverse field, who have been looking for a platform to contribute in environment conservation to join, share and work with YFN.

Kristin Kays, Asia representative of Long Yang Association shared in a presentation, some similarities of Nepali and Germany society with wonderful slides of healthy Germany society. She added how we can make an improvement from individual aspect to make our environment clean, green and healthy. She also spoke on the psychological influence of green nature on human. Angela Behr from Long Yang Association assist her for presentation.

Michiel van Heugten from Holland gave presentation emphasizing the eco friendly behavior that we can practice in our daily life. He addressed the importance and economic value of eco friendly tools and applications like solar, biogas, use of grey water and others. The sharing of his experience of living in an eco friendly house made up of bamboos and wood was interesting.

The three hour program ended with informal interaction with the participants along with tea. The positive and promising views of participants have encouraged the YFN to gear up its activities, especially the launching of GIL project in governmental schools.

YFN look forward to multiply the innovative ideas and efforts of fresh volunteers to contribute in the environment conservation deeds from the grass root level. And also ensures the satisfaction cum respect to the new volunteers for their altruism while working with organization.

Opportunity for the Students in Conservation

Opportunity for the Students in Conservation Youth For Nature (YFN), a youth leading organization registered in the district administration office Dolpa and affiliated with Social Welfare Council Nepal in 2010, invites application for volunteering participation. The organization prioritizes the involvement of enthusiastic and energetic youth to promote environmental conservation and sustainable development. YFN is coordinating GIL (Growing Into Life) project in collaboration with Long Yang Association of Munich, Germany. GIL is the plantation and environment project for school children in the Kathmandu Valley. The major objectives are:

• To motivate school students in nature conservation • To create oasis in Kathmandu • To contribute in combating global climate change on a local level • To provide an outdoor laboratory for students to learn about plants.

The core responsibilities of the volunteers are: • Assist members of YFN during orientation and plantation day • Supervising the children in planting and caring the tree • Regular follow up should in the assigned schools and report to the YFN members about the condition of plants

Advantages while Involving • Pioneer step to achieve goal in conservation field • Interaction with YFN and Long Yang Association members who is involving in environment and conservation field • Involvement in research work of YFN • Certain amount will be given on the basis of their involvement • Certificate of participation from Long Yang Association and YFN

Interested candidate who is running their study in forestry,environment or conservation field can send their interest letter and CV to yfndolpa@gmail.com

Growing into Life (GIL)

Youth for Nature. GIL Project.... Background Nepal is rich in natural resources and biodiversity due to its physiographic variation. But the country is facing immense pressure on natural environment due to various natural disasters and human interventions. Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Valley is facing enormous problem with the increase in the pressure on ecological balance. The respects for nature of life have been sacrificed for becoming a kind of megacity due to advancement of technology and sophisticated life. As a result community is suffering from climate change and global warming. To mitigate the effect of degraded environment condition and to revive the good environment of urban area GIL (Growing Into Life) project is initiated. Introduction: GIL is Environmental Awareness programme initiated by Long Yang Trust in coordination with YFN (Youth for Nature); with the theme “Creating oasis in modern cities”. GIL focuses the school level student for plantation along with vow of conservation.GIL develops the zeal among the students to love trees and nature. It emphasises on environmental activities at local level through the magnified efforts of the school children. The GIL supports the UNEP - one Billion Tree Campaign with an own initiation. The saplings of GIL project are the trees for Kathmandu nourished with the love and care of school students. Objectives: • To motivate school students in nature conservation and environmental awareness • To create oasis in modern cities • To provide an outdoor laboratory for students learning about tree growth. • To contribute in combating global climate change in local level How we work? Youth For Nature being co-partner of GIL at Kathmandu manages events by following way: ➢ First we visit the school and have discourse with Principal and authority of school. ➢ If school shows interest and have appropriate premises we recommend the school to Long Yang for final decision. ➢ As soon as the school is approved by Long Yang we give the presentation to the students and select 108 students as participants for plantation program of GIL. ➢ After few days we manage for plantation and distribute pots, soil, fertilizers and saplings to the students and taught them to plant in our direct observation. ➢ YFN members visit the school time to time and monitor the condition the plants. Work on first phase: The commencement of the GIL program was done on the premises of Kathmandu Vidya Mandir School on May 12 2010. On the day presentation on “Introduction of GIL, what climate change is and its global scenario and importance of plantation” was carried out midst student. On 21 May 2010, the first plantation of 108 trees of 13 different species was done at this School. Till now the GIL project has been launched in three different school of Kathmandu in the period of may 2010 to till date (9 months). In each school orientation was given to students. During presentation students were highly encouraged to ascertain what effort they could make from their side to protect the environment. Their queries and interactions were warmly welcomed. Moreover, they were motivated for plantation and to nurture their plants with love and care which will grow along with them. Follow ups: 1. Kathmandu Vidya Mandir School: At Kathmandu Vidya Mandir School where plantation was done on 21 May 2010, plants are good in condition. The survival rate is more than 90 percent. The problem over there is the name tag and the level of motivation among students. The enthusiasm of student is not as much as expected before. The school showed more interest only after the follow ups and has pledged to their best. 2. Excel Public School: The plants at Excel school are not as good as expected. The school has been visited for four times after the plantation. It is found that due to lack of water rate of survival is between 50-75% only. The teachers are suggested to distribute the plants to the respective students during their winter vacation if they are ready to take care at their home and bring back after vacation. 3. Readers International Model School (RIMS): RIMS is the school that has energetically partaken in the plantation program of GIL. Plants in this school are in good condition. The level of participation and interest of student is enthusiastic. The teachers are motivating and coordinating the students their best. The main problem at this school is that they have shifted to new building. So it is a bit difficult for them to care and maintain plants as before. However, they are doing their best and has assured for the recovery and development of the saplings... for more please mail to yfndolpa@gmail.com or find us at www.facebook.com/gilproject

GIL - "Growing into Life" Within the past few years only, too many trees had to give way for large construction projects and streets in Nepal ´s capital Kathmandu. Countless small intra-urban holy places with trees (Mahabodhi trees) and shrines, common and natural places of spirituality and respect for nature of life have been sacrificed for becoming a mega-city. Meanwhile a couple of campaigns have been initiated to countervail the ecological destruction and environmental pollution in Nepal. Long Yang trust and YFN,Dolpa decided to support the UNEP - one Billion Tree Campaign with an own initiation. In Kathmandu places of purity and reconnection to spirituality and nature are being created and preserved. Nature - pilot project with Kathmandu Vidya Mandir School The Vidya Mandir School in a densely populated neighbourhood at the edge of Boudha and with 500 students aged 3 to 16, was selected for this pilot project by the Long Yang Organisation. Students and teachers jointly agreed to raise and care for 108 little tree seedlings in their schoolyard. The little trees, growing together with the children will be planted at selected places in the neighbourhood. However, the students will take care of them as an ongoing project. Thus green oasis should be created not only for improving the climate but also for awaking environmental awareness and the value of pure places. For this campaign Long Yang trust cooperates with Our NGO "Youth for Nature,Dolpa" located in Kathmandu. Suraj Upadhaya, chairman of "Youth for Nature,Dolpa" and forestry student, takes care of the project locally and teaches the students in ecology and nature protection. Further long Yang trust is looking for german partner schools who wish to participate in GIL and share information with schools in Kathmandu. In the course of the year more schools should be integrated and an ecological network been built. The non-profit Youth for Nature,Dolpa is happy to be part of this project. Danyabat - Thank you Youth For Nature-Dolpa