By: Natalia Trita Agnika

Last Thursday (15/10), a number of students from an elementary school in Bandung came to visit Bumi Panda. They were taken around Bumi Panda by the staff there and introduced about WWF-Indonesia and the conservation efforts that have been done in Indonesia. The children were delighted to see large animal statues, including Sumatran elephants, Sumatran tigers, Javan rhinos and sea turtles. The presence of key animal statues that become the object of WWF-Indonesia's conservation work makes it easier for them to understand the information presented.

Bumi Panda is an environmental information house managed by WWF-Indonesia. The building is located at Jl. Geusan Ulun No. 3 Dago, Bandung. Bumi Panda serves as a means to interact with WWF-Indonesia supporters, school children, and the wider community who want to get to know more closely and support WWF-Indonesia's activities. Bandung was chosen as the location of Bumi Panda because it is one of the areas that become the "pocket" of WWF-Indonesia supporters.

Inside Bumi Panda, visitors not only get information about the history and conservation work carried out by WWF-Indonesia, but can also learn about Indonesia's diverse natural ecosystems, various protected animal species, and environmentally friendly lifestyles. All information is packaged and displayed through interactive media and activities.

Bumi Panda has a number of rooms that each contain specific information about WWF-Indonesia's conservation work, Indonesia's biodiversity, and various practical knowledge about the environment. There are also environmental education games, such as animal cricket, snakes and ladders "Gajah Jalan-jalan ke Sungai" and energy quartet, which visitors can play directly. Several artworks are also on display at Bumi Panda, including key animal paintings by Taufan Syarif Tan of Indonesia Wildlife Art.

After touring Bumi Panda, visitors who are mostly students will usually gather in the hall and watch movies about the environment. One example is an animated movie about water. Facilitators from Bumi Panda will interactively explain the conservation messages contained in the movie.

Bumi Panda's presence is also utilized by several environmental communities to stay in touch and discuss environmental issues. By presenting experts, discussions can take place warmly and provide solutions and increase awareness of the environment.

Now in its development, Bumi Panda also "picks up the ball". Environmental education can not only be obtained inside Bumi Panda. Teams from Bumi Panda also deliver conservation messages to schools (Bumi Panda goes to school) and are involved in environmental events organized by government or private institutions.

Bumi Panda operates every Tuesday-Thursday (weekdays) at 12:00-17:00 pm, Friday (weekdays) at 13:00-17:00 pm, and Saturday-Sunday at 09:00-15:00 pm. Group visits or outside the regular schedule can be made by scheduling in advance. There is no charge for using all the facilities available.