By: Siti Maryam

WWF Riau conducted an environmental education program to commemorate the National Wildlife Day, which is celebrated every November 5. This activity is a collaboration with Yayasan TK Kartika l-53 Yonif 132-Salo which took place last Friday (04/11). Attended by 150 students from 10 kindergartens in Salo and Bangkinang Districts of Kampar Regency, the activity was opened by the Head of Persit (Army Wife Association) Yonif 132-Salo, Citra Nurul Yakin.

National Puspa and Animal Love Day is a moment to build awareness and form a love for puspa and animals so that biodiversity remains sustainable.

"In this environmental education activity, children are invited to play while learning to recognize puspa and animals, this is useful for fostering early love for national puspa and animals, especially those that are protected, said Citra.

Syamsidar as Senior Communication Officer WWF Central Sumatra Program stated, ''Through this moment we together remind the existence of puspa and animals that exist in nature to be maintained so that they do not experience extinction".

The event continued with the screening of an animated movie about animals and the environment. After that, animal imitation gymnastics and ice breaking were conducted. Guided by five volunteers called "kakak panda", the kindergarten students imitated various animal movements. Then the children were invited in groups to listen to stories about animals.

The panda siblings then invited the students to play guess the picture to introduce various types of protected animals and plants. In this session, the students had to work together to determine the pictures of protected puspa and animals. Teachers and parents who accompanied this activity did not remain silent, they participated in helping the smooth running of the activity.

''The activity is very useful, because in addition to increasing children's knowledge about puspa and animals, it also improves motor skills so that children are actively moving and not boring. From the screening of animal and environmental movies, there is also gymnastics. There are also activities that increase cooperation which makes them interact with each other, "said Citra at the end of the activity.

The teachers were very interested. They also asked for the materials presented in this environmental education activity because they think it is very helpful in student learning.

The series of activities commemorating the National Wildlife Day continued the next day. Led by the Earth Hour Pekanbaru Community, the volunteers carried out environmental education at SD Negeri 176 Pekanbaru. The reason for choosing SD Negeri 176 Pekanbaru to be the venue for the Environmental Education event is because the school has succeeded in getting Adiwiyata Riau Province this year.

"This event is good, because this activity makes students more familiar with plants and animals. In addition, it can educate students to love animals and plants more," said Fatimah Zohra S,Pd as Vice Principal. (Siti Maryam)