Strengthening Community Communication: Media Training for Van Ho Gibbon Patrol Team

On May 29, 2025, People and Nature Reconciliation (PanNature) organized a media training session for the White-cheeked Gibbon Protection Team in Van Ho Commune, Van Ho District, Son La Province. The activity was part of an ongoing program to strengthen community capacity in forest protection and biodiversity monitoring in areas home to endangered species.

The training was designed to help team members effectively and creatively document and share their forest patrol journeys, using modern media tools such as smartphone videography, clip editing, AI-powered scriptwriting, and the CapCut video editing app.

During the session, participants were introduced to key communication concepts, including topic development, visual storytelling, and basic filming techniques such as framing, focusing, and panning. In the field practice session, participants recorded footage along forest patrol routes and produced short video clips using their own material. Two groups completed short video projects that captured their summer patrol experience and ongoing efforts to protect the endangered White-cheeked gibbons.

Notably, the segment on scriptwriting with ChatGPT and editing with CapCut was highly appreciated by the trainees. Many participants shared that this was their first time using AI tools and video editing applications, but thanks to PanNature’s clear and accessible instruction, they felt confident in continuing to produce communication content after the training.

Through this initiative, PanNature aims to build communication capacity from within the community – those most directly connected to the forest, so that conservation messages are conveyed in authentic, relatable, and emotionally engaging ways. The gibbon protection team is not only a group of forest patrollers but also emerging storytellers who inspire others to appreciate and safeguard the rich natural heritage of Van Ho.

PanNature will continue to support the team with more advanced training sessions on social media writing, video editing, and visual storytelling. The organization also encourages the team to maintain an internal communication channel for sharing content and motivating one another to sustain their media engagement efforts.

Highlights from the training session: