Support youth education and empowerment while fostering the new generation of red panda stewards by providing essential school supplies to 100 local students in Nepal! Your donation today will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to support from Nature’s Path Organic’s EnviroKidz and Sacramento Zoo.

Receive this exclusive IRPD 2025 Packs for Pandas t-shirt with design by Natalie Hoy when you donate $100 or more (does not include matching gift total)!

Explore our IRPD 2025 Fundraising Guide for helpful tips and resources for fundraisers!

According to UNICEF, more than a third of Nepal’s 12.6 million children live below the national poverty line.

Many students living in red panda habitat areas come from impoverished families who struggle to afford necessary school supplies such as backpacks, uniforms, notebooks, and pens. Inconsistent attendance, poor academic performance, and early dropouts—Kidasha states that 45% of children in Nepal drop out before reaching secondary school—are often the results, which can cause lasting consequences for local students, their communities, and even wildlife, including red pandas.

When students continue to struggle academically or to attend class, they are less likely to understand the importance of environmental stewardship. RPN is working with local schools on youth outreach initiatives and integrating red panda conservation textbooks and lessons into their curricula.

Poor school attendance and performance among students can also perpetuate poverty in local communities, leading to increased dependence on forest resources and resulting in habitat degradation and fragmentation.

Red Panda Conservation Scholarships will be awarded to 100-plus students from marginalized families in Nepal’s red panda range, providing essential school supplies, including a backpack, uniform, and stationery, for a year.

The long-term impact of the education scholarships will include:

1. Reducing the financial burden on low-income families, encouraging consistent school attendance and improved academic performance, while increasing awareness among students on the importance of red panda conservation.

2. Strengthening local commitment to conservation by directly supporting and empowering students who are future conservation leaders.

The Red Panda Conservation Scholarships for Education program was started in 2019 to provide financial support and essential school supplies to the children and siblings of Forest Guardians, as well as students from partner schools with eco-clubs.

Scholarship recipients are students in grades six and seven selected based on merit by a committee of teachers (as well as a local leader and community members).

A total of 740 education scholarships have been awarded to local students since the program began! In 2024, thanks to the dedication and generosity of people like you, we provided scholarships to 395 students from 44 eco-clubs in local schools.

This International Red Panda Day (IRPD)—Saturday, September 20, 2025—help us support at least 100 more students with these critical scholarships, which will help improve their livelihoods and increase red panda stewardship in local communities.

Local students in Nepal being awarded education scholarships. RPN.

Here's how you can help:

Start A Fundraiser - click on the 'Fundraise' button at the top of the page to start a campaign in minutes. All gifts matched x2 thanks to support from Nature’s Path Organic’s EnviroKidz and Sacramento Zoo! Check out our IRPD2025 Fundraising Guide for everything you need to fundraise for the first panda. The top fundraisers will win awesome prizes!

Organize an Event - Work with the zoo, school, or business you work at or attend to celebrate this important day for education and conservation. Register your event here and be sure to check out the IRPD Activity Book designed by Darby Minter!

Become a Red Panda Ranger - This is a fun and educational opportunity for kids to help us raise red panda awareness They will receive a badge for every level they complete and an official certificate when they finish all five levels!

Spread The Word - tell your friends and family on social media why you love red pandas and why you are celebrating IRPD 2025! Include a banner in your post and include these hashtags: #IRPD2025 #ScholarshipsforStewards #PacksforPandas

Design by Natalie Hoy.

Campaign Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top three individual fundraisers* for the IRPD 2025 campaign.

First Prize: Red Panda Rug (photo below!) + Panda Plush + RPN Hat + Tote Bag

Second Prize: Panda Plush + RPN Hat + Tote Bag

3rd Prize: Panda Plush or RPN Hat + Tote Bag

*A minimum of $500 must be raised to be eligible for prizes.

Matching Partners

International Red Panda Day 2025

Packs for Pandas: Empowering the Future of Red Panda Conservation

Team Leaderboard

Team Members