On 4^th November 2016, Her Majesty Gyalyum Tshering Pem Wangchuck, co-chair of the Bhutan Foundation, granted an audience to the students and teachers of Jakar Higher Secondary School in Bumthang. Her Majesty visited the school to interact with the students and teachers who are members of the Himalayan Environmental Rhythms Observation and Evaluation System (HEROES) project in the school.

The HEROES project, funded by the Bhutan Foundation and implemented by the Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Conservation and Environment (UWICE) in partnerships with schools and nature clubs across Bhutan, employs a combination of weather data collection (through a network of weather stations) and citizen science to help understand climate change.

Jakar Higher Secondary School is one of the 17 schools in Bhutan that is engaged in observing and recording the seasonal life cycle of plants in their campus. Currently about 30 students in Jakar are actively involved in the program monitoring 10 plants regularly and submitting data to UWICE.

During the visit, the students and the faculty presented a comprehensive overview of the HEROES project and their findings to Her Majesty. The students shared how the project has positively impacted their lives and their understanding of climate change. As a result of this, the students and the teachers also shared some of the initiatives they have taken to create awareness about climate change to the public through community services and road shows.

Interacting with the students, Her Majesty shared her appreciation and insights on the importance of learning from nature. Her Majesty also made field visits in different plant locations in the school and listened to student’s findings of the plants.

The UWICE family extends our heartfelt gratitude for Her Majesty’s continued guidance and support. Her Majesty’s recent visit has inspired the students and teachers of Jakar Higher Secondary School and the members of UWICE to continue to play an important part in understanding climate change.