In a 2021 environmental awareness survey commis­sioned by GIZ SPACES among 1,316 domestic pro­tected area (PA) visitors, less than 40% knew about the reasons for maintaining and managing PAs. Even less (28%) were aware of a guideline on what to do and not to do when visiting a PA. Selected PA staff responsible for environmental education centers achieved an overall environmental knowledge score of just 34%, with zero grasp on research methods, mushrooms, ecosystem services and local environmental problems.

A SPACES training workshop on environ­mental education and communication (EEC) in April 2022 moderated by German expert Manfred Oepen and Nara Yansanjav of the NGO People-centered Conservation (PCC) strived to counterbalance these trends. For three days, more than 50 participants from PAs, NGOs, govern­ment, research and donor organizations discussed and explored creative ways of promo­ting and practicing EEC in Mongolia. They enjoyed the interactive  and participatory nature of the modera­tion and visualiza­tion methods (MOVE) employed throughout the workshop, which allowed for factual plenary inputs on EEC issues as well as edu-taining games, exercises and practice-oriented working group sessions. As a result of the workshop, participants reached a common under­­standing of EEC formats, training needs and tools, and achieved a thorough grasp of the purpose, structure and contents of an EEC ToolBox and a MOVE Manual developed by GIZ SPACES. The ToolBox is full of EEC games, exercises, and other materials that rangers, green schools, eco-clubs or NGOs may use for trainings and events. In addition, the Mongolian Eco­logical Center, WWF, Nomadic Nature Conserva­tion, and the National University’s Environ­mental Educa­tion Center presented EEC best practices such as youth-oriented outdoor project weeks and nature & adventure trails.