Thanh Nga Nguyen (she/her)

How are you using education to build more sustainable and equitable communities? Tell us about your EE work and impact.

When I was a university student, I connected with people with similar interests to found San Dinh—a youth cultural conservation project that uses folk games as educational tools about the environment and Indigenous culture. I led a team to raise 10,000 USD and reach 30,000 students and parents in urban cities to raise awareness of air pollution and plastic waste.

Over the past three years, I have worked closely with diverse audience groups through educational programs and species and habitat protection activities. In 2023, I led my team of three to reach out to more than 14,000 students and local residents to raise their awareness about migratory bird conservation, with 86% people pledging not to hunt, trade, or consume wild bird meat, which directly benefits the conservation. Spoon-billed sandpipers are being recognized more commonly than before. 

With the  goal to harness self-motivation and enthusiasm for youth and early-conservationists, I led the team to coordinate and implement three training courses and two big conferences to address Vietnam’s substantial responsibilities regarding wildlife conservation and management. I deeply understand that education is the best way to inspire, motivate, and empower communities to protect our ecosystem.

Tell us about your journey to where you are today. What inspired you? What has your path been like?

I am a nature enthusiast, interested in the connection between people, culture, and nature and always hoped I could fly like a bird. After joining WildAct Vietnam, a local conservation-focused NGO, I got the chance to implement diverse environmental education programs targeting various audiences and stakeholders. Following my dream, I desire to bring freedom to migratory birds in Vietnam by implementing EE projects and creating harmonious habitats for these birds. The more I work with diverse audience groups in different projects, the more I realize that to do EE well, I need to learn and integrate more areas of a participatory approach, behavior change, nature interpretation, leadership, and communication. Surrounded by these educated children who love and desire to protect birds is one of my happiest moments and inspires me to continue my career. As an emerging leader in environmental education, I aim to inspire, motivate, and empower Vietnamese communities to take action for nature and the place they live.

How can people learn more about or support your work?

Please follow and support my educational activities on migratory bird and wildlife conservation on Facebook, YouTube, and our website. 

A Little More About Me

If you could be any animal or plant, what would you be and why?

I want to be a bird. I want to fly to the mountains or sea to see the beautiful scenery.

What makes you most excited to be an EE30U30 awardee?

I look forward to connecting with EE leaders around the world. This is a good opportunity for me to improve my insights, knowledge, and skills through training, workshops, or learning from experts, mentors, and gaining experience from others.

What’s a passion project of yours outside of your work?

I have a passion for Vietnamese folk culture and am working on a project to preserve Vietnamese folk games. I believe that nature and culture are closely related. I have been using folk games as a tool to convey environmental messages.

What are your hobbies?

Trekking, dancing, and making videos.