Ako Conservation Education Program
The first step to conservation is education. We need the help of zoos, teachers, librarians, and private citizens to raise awareness for Madagascar’s amazing primates. Below are resources about lemurs to download and share.
Illustrator Deborah Ross and the late primatologist Dr. Alison Jolly collaborated on a vision: a series of bilingual picture books in which story and science converge. In 2005, LCF published the first title, Ny Aiay Ako (Ako the Aye-Aye), translated into Malagasy by Dr. Hantanirina Rasamimanana. Five books followed, and LCF and the creators provided the books to teachers in the United States, Madagascar, and around the world.
The success of the six-book series led to accompanying posters and teacher materials about different types of lemurs and their fragile habitats in Madagascar. Thanks to funding by Nature’s Path EnviroKidz, the Jolly family, UNICEF, the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation, the McCrae Conservation and Education Fund, and LCF, the Ako Project has developed into an international environmental education program.
Education Resources
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Books: The Ako Series
The six colorful children’s books in the Ako Series inspire children and adults alike to care deeply about lemurs, Madagascar, and its people.
The series is a magical way for children all over the world develop deeper respect, compassion, and appreciation for nature and the world around them.
Some people in Madagascar believe that aye-ayes bring bad luck, but one playful lemur named Ako offers a new perspective.
A tiny lemur named Bitika goes on an adventure in a huge world, but Bitika proves that even a small mouse lemur can be a big hero.
Growing up as a male in a world run by females is lonely for young Tik-Tik. He must travel the forest alone and battle other lemurs to earn the affections of his first love.
A human family must decide what to do with twin lemurs Furry and Fuzzy after they tumble from their home in the trees to the village down below.
While jumping around and exploring, a young lemur named Bounce accidentally falls into a deep crevasse full of strange creatures.
A young lemur named No-Song has trouble singing like the rest of her indri family. She must find her own voice in a forest where everything can sing.
Where to find the Ako Book Series
To purchase English edition books:
- Individual books and complete box sets available at the LCF Gift Shop
- For bulk orders and pricing contact akoproject@lemurreserve.org
Educators may qualify for FREE books:
- United States Educators: English book editions are available to K-5 educators in the United States as part of the Ako Conservation Education Kit. Apply for free a kit here.
- Librarians: Public and school libraries in the United States may be eligible to receive a free set of the Ako Series books. Contact akoproject@lemurreserve.org.
- Madagascar Educators: Bilingual book editions (English, Malagasy) are published in Tana, Madagascar. Book donation requests are considered for organizations and educators that focus on literacy, the environment, and/or conservation education. To request a bilingual book donation, contact research@lemurreserve.org.
Posters
Learn about the diverse environments of the lemurs featured in the Ako Series children’s books and other areas of Madagascar.
Designed by artist Janet Robinson, and supported by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the McCrae Conservation and Education Fund, these posters show stunning visuals of Madagascar’s ecosystems. Intricate details and conservation messaging are incorporated into each poster allowing educators to dive deep into environmental concepts with their students.
Click on each poster below to view in a new window, and download if desired.
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
featuring indri (Indri indri)
Tsingy De Bemaraha National Park
featuring Van der Decken’s sifaka (Propithecus deckenii)
Andohahela National Park
featuring ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)
Menabe Antimena Protected Area
featuring Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae)
Masoala National Park
featuring red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra)
Tampolo Reserve
featuring aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)
Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve
featuring indri (Indri indri) and silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus)
Marojejy National Park
featuring silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus)
Lac Alaotra
featuring bandro (Hapalemur alaotrensis)
Hunting is Taboo I
featuring indri (Indri indri) GRAPHIC IMAGE
Hunting is Taboo II
featuring indri (Indri indri)
Ako Educator’s Guide
This free guide is an introduction to the remarkable world of lemurs.
It provides K-5 Educators with helpful background information about the biological concepts conveyed through the Ako Lemur Lesson Plans.
Lemur Lesson Plans
These lessons were developed to help elementary school students learn about lemurs, why they are threatened, and how they can help.
Each lesson incorporates fun activities featuring characters and themes from the Ako Series books.
With 21 independent activities to choose from, teachers and zoo educators are able to adapt the lessons to their own classroom or educational setting.
Ako Conservation Education Kit
The Ako Conservation Education Kit is an all-inclusive set of resources for educators teaching students in grades K-5.
Each kit includes all the materials necessary to successfully incorporate the Ako Lemur Lesson Plans into your classroom, zoo, or other educational setting:
6 Ako Children’s Books
6 Lemur Habitat Posters
21 Ako Lemur Lesson Plans
1 Ako Educator’s Guide
1 Ako the Aye-Aye Plush—to serve as your classroom lemur ambassador
Essential Oils—for use in the Ako lesson ‘Survival Scents’
These kits are absolutely FREE to qualifying educators. To see if you qualify, complete a kit application here
Note that only one kit will be distributed per school, zoo, or organization. Kit recipients are expected to share the educational resources with other educators at their facility. Not sure if your organization already has a kit? Contact akoproject@lemurreserve.org to find out!
Ako Educator’s Guide
This guide is an introduction to lemurs and provides K-5 educators with helpful background information about the topics covered in the Ako Lemur Lesson Plans.
Lemur Lesson Plans
21 standard-aligned activities for students in grades K-5.
Ako Series Books
Full six-set series of books written by Dr. Alison Jolly, each featuring a unique species of lemur.
Lemur Habitat Posters
Six bilingual posters (English, Malagasy) associated with each book in The Ako Series.
Essential Oil Vials
A variety of samples for use in the lesson titled ‘Survival Scents.’
BONUS! Aye-Aye Plush Friend
Each plush lemur doll is hand-made in Madagascar. Help us better serve you and your students by completing a short pre and post lesson evaluation and receive your own free Aye-Aye lemur for your classroom. Click below for the details.
USA Programs
We offer a variety of educational talks and outreach programs to engage and inspire students with the help of our knowledgeable lemur experts. For more information, contact info@lemurreserve.org
Please note, for the safety, health, and welfare of both lemurs and people, Lemur Conservation Foundation does NOT bring live animals to events or outreaches. The lemurs prefer to remain safely at home with their families at our private reserve in Myakka City.
Lemur Conservation Foundation staff are ready to travel to YOUR school or organization to deliver a unique presentation all about these fascinating prosimians!
Am I Like a Lemur?
LCF educators guide students through fun and educational hands-on activities that teach them about the incredible abilities of lemurs and help them discover their similarities and differences with these mammals. This dynamic, station-rotation program is ideal for large groups.
Length: 60 minute interactive program
Cost: Free to qualifying educators; donations welcome
Space Requirements: Large, open space such as a gym, cafeteria, or courtyard.
Where: Ordinarily, we are only able to visit schools in the following Florida counties: Sarasota and Manatee. Requests outside of this area will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Max: 75 students (or 3 classrooms) per program; 2 programs (or 6 classrooms) per day
Ages: recommended for grades K-2, but can be adapted for grades 3-5
When requesting this program, at least one month notice is needed for scheduling. We appreciate your understanding!
Lemur Talk
Lemur TalkLemur Conservation Foundation is committed to public outreach to promote conservation education by offering customized presentations to schools, community groups, and organizations as scheduling allows.
Topics include:
- Lemur Conservation Foundation Overview
- Animal Care & Husbandry
- Conservation & Research
- Careers & Internships
- And more!
Length: 45-60 minute presentation, not including Q&A at the end
Cost: Free, however donations are welcome and appreciated.
Age: All ages welcomed.
Technical Requirements: Our educators use a PowerPoint format for all presentations. The host facility is responsible for supplying audio/video equipment at the presentation location. We require a video projector, screen, and speaker system for presentations.
For larger venues, a microphone may need to be provided. Presenters will bring their own laptops, but may need assistance from someone onsite to connect to your equipment.
Where: All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. However, we are typically only able to present to community organizations within the following Florida counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, or DeSoto.
Note to schools: schools or camps looking for a more interactive visit from LCF should check out the program: Am I Like a Lemur?
When requesting a speaker, at least one month notice is needed for scheduling. We appreciate your understanding!
Booth Events
Booth EventsLemur Conservation Foundation offers customized interactive table set-ups for a variety of open-house style events such as STEM nights, scout camps, fairs, festivals, and more.
Booth themes include:
- Lemur Conservation Foundation General Information
- Lemur Adaptations
- Conservation Programs
- Making Lemur Enrichment
- Lemur Books
- Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
- and more!
Length: 6 hour maximum
Cost: A donation is welcome.
Technical Requirements: The host facility is responsible for supplying 1-2 tables at the event location. Presenters will bring their own pop-up tent for shade if necessary.
Where: All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. However, we are typically only able to attend events within the following Florida counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, or DeSoto.
To request this program, please contact akoproject@lemurreserve.org
When requesting a booth event, at least one month notice is needed for scheduling. We appreciate your understanding!
Ako Storytime
Ako StorytimeOur storytellers bring Madagascar to life with a lively reading of select Ako Series books by Alison Jolly. Ako Storytime always includes age appropriate activities designed to engage children’s natural curiosity.
Length: 45-60 minute presentation, including interactive activity
Cost: A donation is welcome.
Technical Requirements: Optional – Our educators can use a PowerPoint format to show pictures and videos of lemurs we work with both here in Florida and in Madagascar to make a real-life connection to the books. The host facility is responsible for supplying audio/video equipment at the presentation location. We require a video projector, screen, and speaker system for presentations. Presenters will bring their own laptops, but may need assistance from someone onsite to connect to your equipment.
Where: All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. However, we are typically only able to present within the following Florida counties: Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, or DeSoto.
Space Requirements: Perfect for public or school libraries. Large, open space required for children to sit, stand, and wiggle.
Max: Capacity of space provided by host location.
Age: Recommended for children Pre-K to 10 years old and their families, but all ages are welcomed.
To request this program, please contact akoproject@lemurreserve.org
When requesting this program, at least one month notice is needed for scheduling. We appreciate your understanding!
We get a lot of inquiries about field trips and understand first-hand the desire to get up close and personal with Lemurs!
Unfortunately, our private reserve in Florida serves as a conservation breeding facility and site for visiting scientists and university students studying lemur behavior and is therefore not open to the public.
Special Opportunity For University Students!
Professors may bring students to Myakka City for intensive field schools incorporated into for-credit courses at their universities.
At LCF, students can observe lemurs in a controlled but natural setting, allowing future primatologists to gain valuable firsthand field experience. For more information and to contact us, visit our Research page.
Madagascar Education Programs
Environmental Education Field Trip
LCF staff and leading Malagasy conservationists offer opportunities for students living in the SAVA region of northeastern Madagascar to participate in a hands-on learning program immersed in the rainforest. From reading books to studying lemurs in their natural habitat, LCF believes conservation begins with education.
Students are guided on overnight expeditions where they learn to identify numerous plants and animals, including the critically endangered silky sifaka lemur. These trips foster an understanding and appreciation of wildlife and ecosystems which many of these students have never seen before. Students are provided with a powerful opportunity to connect with nature and discover the important impact of conservation efforts.
We examined the impact of these field trips on students’ values, emotions, and knowledge about the rainforest. Sorenson et al. (2021) conducted the first quantitative assessment of environmental education programs in the SAVA region. We found that these trips have a positive emotional impact on the students, confirming the importance of conservation education “in the wild” (also known as “place-based” education).
Length: 3 days & 2 nights
Where: This program is available in four locations:
- Marojejy National Park
- Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve
- Antanetiambo Nature Reserve
- Agnolakely Nature Reserve
Ordinarily, we are able to facilitate groups of students from schools in villages near the above locations. Program requests for groups outside of this area will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For more information and to request this program, contact research@lemurreserve.org
