Sustainable environmental education for a sustainable environment: Lessonsfrom thailand for other nations

The Thailand Ministry of Education and Michigan State University collaborat ed to plan, design, implement, and evaluate this project in which school ch ildren and adults in 11 communities worked together to prevent forest degra dation and improve forest quality. School children in grades 5 though 8 stu died the causes and consequences of deforestation and forest degradation an d brought the results of their investigations to local community members. T his resulted in identification of local environmental problems that were fo rest-related and joint efforts in which adults and children worked together to resolve these problems. The results of this intergenerational work were very promising as children, adults, schools, communities, and the environm ent benefited from collaboration. Important lessons for others embarking th is work are reported.