Conserve Natural Forests (CNF) is a non-profit organization operating out of Pai, Thailand that is dedicated to combating deforestation, promoting Asian elephant conservation, as well as providing community education for sustainable practices in the region. CNF envisions a planet where education can generate awareness and passion for engaging in environmental conservation, so that biodiversity can
be preserved and endangered species may roam natural forests freely. Alongside implementing education efforts, CNF actively hosts tree-planting events that engage different parts of the community in taking ownership of their ancestral land. In 2014, CNF was able to plant ten thousand trees with the help from the Royal Thai Military, police, students, religious leaders, and other local and international volunteers. Next year CNF has pledged to plant a quarter of a million trees in order to meet the United Nation’s requirements for making progress in combating the effects of climate change. The more people engage in reforestation, the better the chances that animal life and biodiversity will flourish. CNF is combating deforestation through planting bamboo on our land and using, selling, and giving away the material for sustainable building projects. CNF is also combating deforestation through saving and cultivating valuable seeds that would otherwise be destroyed through harmful slash and burn practices that are incredibly detrimental to forest health. CNF has recently acquired a 49,000 square meter reservation that will be used to house an Endangered Species Reproduction Center, which will assist in wildlife conservation efforts by helping to repopulate the forests, monitor keystone species, and produce babies free from abuse. The organization’s reservation is already home to a variety of lizards, birds, and tortoises that are cared for by staff and volunteers, and arrangements are currently being made for the first elephant to be rescued and brought to Pai. Living on the reservation, she will be saved from the clutches of abuse and be able to begin a new generation of elephants that will not experience suffering. In partnership with Queen Sirikit’s Reintroduction Project, CNF will later release the mom and babies into reforested and protected areas. The presence of these elephants will provide the opportunity to educate tourists and community members alike. Reforestation and conservation efforts that are facilitated by CNF seek not only to plant trees and protect the Asian elephant, but also to engage local communities and stakeholders. CNF strives to educate communities through demonstrations of sustainable building and forestry practices, communicating the needs of endangered species, and applying knowledge of organic farming, assisting in development that is environmentally conscious and responsive to indigenous knowledge. Engaging the community in conservation efforts is vital for success, and by providing trainings and access to information on sustainability and biodiversity, local farmers, builders, hunters, and students can begin to collaborate and effectively see that the forests and creatures that their ancestors knew will continue to survive for generations to come.
