The Nature Discovery
Center of Cambodia
Cambodia's Premiere
Nature Learning Facility
The Nature Discovery Center of Cambodia was the first of it’s kind. An interactive nature learning and conservation training facility that made interactive nature exploration and hands-on science learning accessible to all. Visitors of all ages explored the wonders of biodiversity to learn about wildlife, plants, natural sciences and conservation through educational media, discovery and art installations.
World-class Interpretive Design, Hands-on Exploration & Natural Science Learning.
Activity Stations
Biodiversity Station
Here, visitors get an introduction to the biodiversity of Cambodia and learn the IUCN classifications through. The touchscreen Wildlife Field Guide lets visitors explore over 150 important species. Finally the biofact station allows students to explore samples from nature and complete challenges.
Microscope Station
At this station, students explored a collection of samples, slides and artifacts from nature that we prepared, along with accompanying information materials. Once they’ve practiced they can explore our garden to collect their own samples for investigation.
Jungle Lab Cinema
Upstairs is our Jungle Lab Classroom & Wildlife Cinema. Depending on the audience and program, the room can be converted between presentation hall or classroom. Seating up to 30 students, the classroom is a fun and engaging place for people to learn, aided by high-quality AV and hands-on materials.
Birds of Cambodia
This exhibit includes over 15 life-sized artistic recreations of Cambodia’s most iconic avian species. After learning about bird adaptations and exploring various biofacts, students try to identify and match the life-sized models with the real thing, learn about their habitats, and understand the threats they face.
Dino Dig
At the Dino Dig, students excavate a complete mini-t-rex fossil skeleton, organize and identify the bones and assemble the completed model. They can also learn about fossilization and the importance of understanding extinctions in the past to better understand our impacts on biodiversity today.
Incredible Insects
At the insect station, students complete a 3D puzzle cube of native insect species belong to different families, and attempt to organize each one into its correct taxonomic group. Spinning displays also allow visitors to learn the characteristics of insects and their important role in natural processes.
Animal Habitats
A play-based activity station for younger visitors to the center. This station transmitted lessons on animal habitat needs, and let students build dioramas for Cambodian wildlife using the appropriate food, water, shelter and mates for a native dozen species. A great way to learn through constructive play.
Elephant Exhibition
At Fauna in Focus, we have a strong passion for the arts. Visual media offers a powerful tool to reach, educate and inspire. In The Wilds Art Gallery, we hosted special exhibits on a wide range of topics. The first was our Elephant Exhibit, which featured recycled plastic elephants and interactive learning on the exploitation of elephants.
Conservation Station
Back inside the center, visitors explore the conservation station to learn about the threats facing the natural world and biodiversity both in Cambodia and abroad. Groups work together to identify threats, match them with their impacts on people and wildlife, and provide realistic solutions that we can all engage in.
Aquatic Ecosystems
Here, a miniature aquarium allowed visitors to explore some of the most iconic marine and freshwater species of plant and animal. An interactive map, as well as puzzle game on the giant Mekong species allowed for visitors to learn about the wildlife, threats, and conservation solutions in the Lower Mekong River Basin.
The Tree of Life
The main hall featured our Tree of Life. This centerpiece was constructed using recycled plastic bottles collected by our students. The construction was a collaboration between out art director and our wildlife club students. Signage discussed the importance of forests on our world.
Meet Cambodia
The very first exhibit introduced visitors to Cambodia’s many ecosystems, the wildlife that lives there, and the many threats they are facing. These large format graphics help engage audiences and encourage them to read and explore the center.
Learning Garden & Nursery
Orchid Walk
At the Orchid Walk, our staff are working with local government stakeholders and researchers to study and care for wild orchids. Research carried out here will help expand understanding of Cambodia’s vastly understudies orchid species. And of course, students and visitors are encouraged to explore and learn about them on the Orchid Walk.
Tree Nursery
At our Tree Nursery & Forest Restoration program, students, visitors, staff and volunteers work together to research, prepare and plant 4 different species of IUCN Critically Endangered trees native to the region. These ecologically critical species have all been planted to degraded forest habitats of Phnom Kulen National Park, about 50km north of our center.
Learning Garden
Our outdoor learning garden includes an open space to facilitate open-air activities, planting sessions, and public awareness events. It includes a mini Nature Walk, Plant House, Orchid Walk, Organic Model Garden, and a Tree Nursery & Forest Restoration project.
Plant House
Along our mini Nature Walk you will find the Plant House. Here students and visitors can learn about plant ecology, pollination, seed dispersal, photosynthesis, nutrient cycling and climate. Interactive signage helps keep younger students engaged in nature learning.
Nature Trail
The Pilot Nature Discovery Center hosted over 200 school visits to the center in our first few years of operation. Public schools and the general public were provided with free admission, while private schools and tour groups provided a donation for entrance.
Photo Booth Animals
In our Learning Garden, students could explore a wide range of activities and challenges. Every trip ended with a group picture alongside our life-sized animal photo booth. This featured some of Cambodia’s most iconic and endangered wild species to scale.
Interpretive Design Collaboration
Fauna in Focus can help you or your organization design and build world-class natural science learning facilities like this. From nature and science centers, to classrooms and even nature trails, we can put our experience, artists and graphic designers to work to help build amazing learning spaces for you!
Contact us today if you are interested in collaborating with Fauna in Focus on the design and development of a natural science learning facility or the associated programs, media and materials. We are eager to collaborate with conservation efforts from any country that needs it!
Center Programs & Activities
Tiger Talks
Tiger Talks are public events that aim to help connect science and researchers with the general public, improve public scientific literacy and promote passion in the natural sciences. Guest speakers present various topics for small groups of students and local visitors to help engage people in the natural sciences.
World Wildlife Day
The Nature Discovery Center provided an incredible learning space where we hosted numerous public events. From building a giant turtle from plastic waste for World Wildlife Day to the first Wildlife Film & Photo Festival, Fauna in Focus held dozens of events and festivals here that were accessible to thousands of people.
Wildlife Club Program
Fauna in Focus hosted environmental education and training programs and advanced workshops in the Jungle Lab Classroom at the center. Our core curriculum comprises the Wildlife Club Program, but other programs were offered in conservation leadership, field courses and Discovery Expeditions.
Film & Photo Festival
Tiger Talks are public events that aim to help connect science and researchers with the general public, improve public scientific literacy and promote passion in the natural sciences. Guest speakers present various topics for small groups of students and local visitors to help engage people in the natural sciences.
Bookworms Young Reading Club
Fauna in Focus partnered with Epic Animal Quest to host the Bookworms Young Readers Club at The Nature Discovery Center. Each week, reading and arts & craft activities were held at the center by Epic Animal Quest staff. The programs targeted local and international students and offered reading activities in English & Khmer, with a strong focus on wildlife and conservation stories.
Youth Conservation Leadership
Fauna in Focus hosted environmental education and training programs and advanced workshops in the Jungle Lab Classroom at the center. Our core curriculum comprises the Wildlife Club Program, but other programs were offered in conservation leadership, field courses and Discovery Expeditions.
