15.2.1 Events about sustainable use of land
Metric: Supporting land ecosystems through education
Support or organise events aimed to promote conservation and sustainable utilization of the land, including forests and wild land
Citizen Science in Action: Hat Yai’s Urban Nature Explored Through City Nature Challenge 2024
From April 26–29, 2024, the city of Hat Yai joined over 800 cities worldwide in the City Nature Challenge (CNC2024), a global initiative aimed at engaging the public in documenting urban biodiversity through citizen science. This annual event empowers everyday people to become nature observers, using platforms like iNaturalist to record the species they encounter in their cities, backyards, and parks. This year, Hat Yai City, led by PSU staff, contributed remarkably, with 1,805 wildlife observations and 634 species recorded by 24 participants, reinforcing the value of grassroots biodiversity monitoring even in rapidly developing urban spaces. Among the most frequently recorded species in Hat Yai were the Asian Openbill, Southern Green Crested Lizard, Long-tailed Macaque, Crested Myna, and Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat, all species that have adapted to urban or peri-urban environments. More significantly, the effort led to the documentation of 15 species listed as threatened, including rare sightings of the Black Giant Squirrel, Oriental Darter, and Crested Goshawk, species not commonly seen in the city, highlighting the richness and fragility of local ecosystems. Beyond numbers, the CNC2024 in Hat Yai reflected a growing awareness of urban nature and the important role that local communities play in monitoring, valuing, and protecting biodiversity. Events like these not only generate valuable data but also deepen the public’s connection to nature, a crucial step toward long-term conservation in rapidly urbanising areas.
More information Click
Khao Kho Hong Nature Study Trail
Prince of Songkla University’s Natural History Museum organized a nature trail exploration activity at the Khao Kho Hong Nature Study Trail, located within PSU’s Plant Genetic Conservation Area. The event aimed to promote conservation awareness and the sustainable use of forest and wild land resources through experiential learning.
Led by expert museum guides, participants walked a 2-kilometer trail, observing various plant and animal species while engaging in interactive learning stations designed to enhance analytical and environmental understanding. The six educational stations included topics such as urban heat islands, root adaptation, water conservation (“Water Bank”), oxygen production, forest–human interdependence (“Humans and Forests”), and biodiversity collection activities.
Through hands-on experiences, participants—especially youth—developed an appreciation for local biodiversity, learned about ecosystem interconnections, and were inspired to take part in conservation and sustainable land management efforts.
This initiative reflects PSU’s ongoing commitment to environmental education, forest conservation, and community engagement in protecting natural ecosystems for future generations.
More information Click
