ahmadamir – The Habitat Foundation

THF 2022 Sustainable Tourism Grant Recipients

ahmadamir — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:16:00 +0000

THF 2022 Conservation Grant recipients

ahmadamir — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:15:00 +0000

THF 2022 Research Grant Recipients

ahmadamir — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 00:15:00 +0000

Announcing The Recipients of 2021 Grants

ahmadamir — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 23:49:00 +0000

Although news of the pandemic dominates our lives, we are mindful that the loss of biodiversity and degradation of natural ecosystems is still the most significant threat to humanity and our planet. Only with healthy ecosystems can we enhance people’s livelihoods, counteract climate change, and stop the collapse of biodiversity.

For this reason, The Habitat Foundation is answering the rallying call of The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration for the protection and revival of ecosystems. We are standing firm in our commitment to support research & conservation, strategic collaborations, training and capacity building, and education and community programmes.

Today, we are pleased to announce the recipients of THF Grants for 2021. These grants will augment our thematic focus on advancing new approaches to habitat restoration, and nurturing the inclusion of local people in effective protected area management.

We continue to push into new knowledge frontiers to better understand the ecosystem services provided by biodiversity, and to understand the true impact of plastics on nature, and ultimately, public health. THF is continuing to invest in understanding the biodiversity and ecology of the rainforest of proposed Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve to further demonstrate its value as a site for nature and sustainability research as a part of the UNESCO Man & the Biosphere Network, and to create opportunities for training in conjunction with local tertiary institutions and government partners.

This year, we introduce our new small grants for Sustainable Tourism, which recognise the close links between ecotourism and conservation, and the value of enhancing the meaningful participation of the local community. We look forward to working with all our grant recipients and to sharing their impact with you over the coming year.

CONSERVATION GRANT

RESEARCH GRANTS

Sustainable Tourism

Thank you for your support of The Habitat Penang Hill and The Habitat Foundation. We are committed to ensuring that all our efforts are going toward making a difference!

Connecting Cats: Assessing the Population Connectivity of Apex Predators

ahmadamir — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 01:09:00 +0000

This study led by Kate Allberry of The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent working with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) will evaluate the genetic diversity of tigers, leopards and clouded leopards in Peninsular Malaysia to assess how effectively designated forest corridors are facilitating gene flow and movement between small populations.

If wild carnivores cannot move between habitat patches they will likely become functionally extinct due to inbreeding.

The Malayan tiger is currently classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List—only one step away from being extinct in the wild. In the 1950s, there were around 3,000 tigers in Malaysia. Today, less than 200 remain. This study is crucial to understanding whether or not the populations are sufficiently connected and will help to identify which corridors are most effective. This will also help to inform the allocation of limited resources on the ground for enforcement and habitat management. Wild population genetics studies have been conducted in other tiger-range countries but never within Malaysia, making this the first of its kind.

The project focusses on the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex in Perak and the Kenyir region in Terengganu. These priority areas lie within a Class 1 Tiger Conservation Landscape which are large contiguous areas of suitable tiger habitat able to support a minimum of five adult tigers.

During the pilot phase of this study, a team of Orang Asli were employed as research assistants and they proved to be adept at detecting feline scats, which is notoriously difficult. Their participation in this project has been a key factor in more effective data collection. New methods to extract DNA from paw prints were also successfully developed. This technique has not been applied to tigers or other big cats anywhere else and stands to advance methods of monitoring other elusive and critically endangered species.

Intensive fieldwork, involving surveys to collect DNA samples from feline scats found along trails, ridges and logging roads, will be conducted over twelve months together with the Orang Asli research assistants. Samples will be compared against 17 carefully selected and refined genetic microsatellite markers to identify tiger and leopards from collected scats. They will be processed promptly in between field surveys, to prevent the DNA from deteriorating.

This study is not only building the Orang Asli team’s capacity to serve as field biologists and guides, it is also creating an opportunity for local students to learn fieldwork and lab techniques with Kate Alberry.

Kate is a big advocate of women in science and will be using part of her grant to organize a Soapbox Science event in Malaysia which encourages female scientists to present their work.

Building Sustainable Schools – Engaging and Empowering Young Green Changemakers

ahmadamir — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 01:00:00 +0000

Established as a company in 2018, GreenSmiths empowers young people to create more sustainable futures and develops them into environmental leaders, by eco-engineering appropriately designed projects.

Funding from The Habitat Foundation will allow them to expand on their successful Sustainable Schools pilot project at SMK Tunku Puan Habsah in 2019, which was also funded by the Foundation under its education pillar.

Building on Think City’s Green Corridor initiative to encourage schools to use their fields for urban biodiversity gardens, this project will support six schools in composting, strengthening green corridors, and growing herbs and vegetables. Greensmiths will work with other local organizations to help mentor the schoolchildren in establishing and maintaining edible and biodiversity gardens.

Using resources generated by the Urban Biodiversity Initiative – another recipient of a THF Conservation Grant, it will develop a citizen science programme to document the species present within the vicinity of their school and any changes in the presence of native butterflies and other pollinators in conjunction with efforts to reduce pesticide use and enhance the planting of local food plants.

At The Habitat Penang Hill we are also embarking on a little biodiversity gardening ourselves! Our Grow Tong gardens on our shop roof top are designed to attract native species and also produce edibles for everyone to enjoy!

Overall, these initiatives will not only transform how schools use their green spaces but also change how students regard the potential within the green spaces at home.

Rewilding and Restoring Native Species to the Urban Landscape

ahmadamir — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 00:57:00 +0000

UBI is passionate about cultivating an appreciation for native plants which are a common part of the typical Malaysian landscape.

Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) is an independent collective for urban ecology research, conservation and environmental education. Based at the Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden at Universiti Malaya, they have received a THF Conservation Grant to implement a project promoting the rewilding of urban landscapes through education and community engagement.

This project will lay a foundation for integrating biodiversity gardening into the wider urban greening agenda, engaging multiple stakeholders and develop resources for communities, as well as local institutions and government authorities.

Urban biodiversity is threatened by intensive land-use change and current landscaping norms that aim to neaten landscapes, making them inhospitable to native biodiversity in the process. These practices are contributing to the global loss of flora and fauna from ecological communities.

Biodiversity gardening lies at the heart of a paradigm shift from a purely aesthetic landscape to one incorporating ecosystem services and cultural values—a living landscape. Transforming urban and inner-city areas into biodiversity enclaves provides welcome relief to populations lacking access to parks and other sizeable reserves. This also creates abundant opportunities for environmental education and for people to connect with nature.

Several demonstration sites have been identified in Petaling Jaya including the compound of the University of Malaya’s Centre for Malaysian Indigenous Studies in Section 16, Petaling Jaya. Others will be added on as the project launches. UBI will conduct ongoing monitoring at these sites.

The project comprises three objectives:

1. REDISCOVERY

Demonstrating the value and importance of urban biodiversity through education and by raising awareness. Running a training-of-trainers (ToT) workshop to lead communities in becoming citizen scientists by discovering and documenting the biodiversity around them.

2. REINTEGRATION

Working with institutional and community partners i.e. schools and residential groups, to transform urban spaces into native biodiversity reintegration sites.

3. RESOURCE

Creating biodiversity gardening resources and toolkits for urban communities in Malaysia. Developing a practical handbook and open-source digital resources enabling and empowering community groups and local government to independently conduct biodiversity audits and develop biodiversity reintegration sites.

Find out more from the Urban Biodiversity Initiative website.

Strengthening Capacity for Biodiversity Conservation Impact Among CBOs in Greater KL

ahmadamir — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 00:52:00 +0000

Kota Damansara Community Forest (KDCF) Society was established in 2011 to serve as the official community counterpart to manage KDCF, which was gazetted for protection in 2010. Today, it is regarded as a model community-managed urban forest and a demonstration of public participation (National Policy on Biodiversity 2016).

The Society has also played a major role in building similar like-minded organisations. In late 2019, it was awarded a small grant from the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) to implement a 20-month project to address urban forest loss in Greater KL and build collective capacity for biodiversity conservation and community engagement among community-based organisations (CBOs) and government authorities in Selangor and the Federal Territory.

The GEF-SGP grant will be channelled towards activities to establish a common platform to protect remaining green areas in the Klang Valley and create a more hospitable landscape for biodiversity in the sprawling urban metropolis. The Habitat Foundation is strengthening this initiative by providing co-funding to boost capacity for project coordination, networking and successful project delivery.

The project comprises four components:

1. Creating impact at the planning stage and government level

Working with the municipal council, professional urban planners, and the forestry department to identify forested areas on state land, private land, and other reserves that can be conserved as urban greenspaces. Exploring opportunities to ensure their protection.

2. Capacity-building among organizations

The project will nurture a strong network of CBOs to consolidate collective experience to offer technical assistance and support to stakeholders and agencies seeking to emulate successful models for community-based conservation and engagement. This platform will hold public meetings to elevate the need for urban green spaces at a national level and elicit firm governmental commitments to and programmes that support biodiversity conservation in urban environments.

3. Specialized training and development of resources and publications

Sustainable forest trails: leveraging off the experience of Kota Damansara Community Forest and Bukit Kiara, the project will demonstrate the power of sustainable forest trails for engaging the public to appreciate and enjoy nature. The training will comprise a combination of theory sessions followed by practical experience from building a new trail.

Bringing biodiversity back: the project will work with academics and key organizations to develop resources for ‘biodiversity gardens’ which would focus on plants that are important to support local species of birds, bees and butterflies. A publication will be developed as a ‘how to’ guide for schools as well as residential areas and a few schools will be enlisted to demonstrate the programme.

Appreciating biodiversity: the project partners will organize several specialized-training activities to teach interested organizations on how to develop their skills as Nature Guide. Programmes would include macrophotography, herpetology, entomology, birding and forest flora among others.

4. Enlisting the next generation

The forest classroom: in order to cultivate connection to nature, programmes would be run to familiarize teachers and parents with how they can organize learning programmes in the community forests among our network.

Voluntarism and community service: organizations with experience in organizing volunteer activities will share their experience and networks in order to enlarge and streamline opportunities for school groups and students working towards service awards.

Enlisting tertiary students: working with academics from local universities, and in conjunction with the Forestry Department, we would seek to develop a programme of internship opportunities in conjunction with this project so students may gain experience within our CBO network

Developing Native Tree Nurseries With Local Jahai in Royal Belum State Park

ahmadamir — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 00:23:00 +0000

The Habitat Foundation, together with the Tropical Rainforest Conservation Research Centre (TRCRC) and the Perak State Parks Corporation (PSPC), are piloting an innovative project engaging Jahai Orang Asli within Royal Belum State Park to establish native tree nurseries.

Participating Jahai villagers from Kg. Sg, Klewang will collect the seeds of wild fruit trees, dipterocarps, and other target species from the forests adjacent to their village.

Seedlings from rainforest species that have been germinated at TRCRC’s nursery.

TRCRC to conduct ongoing training and mentoring for Jahai collectors from Kampung Sg. Klewang, who will lead the programme in their village. It will also go towards establishing the native tree nurseries, monitoring and caring for the seedlings as they germinate, and the initial purchase of saplings from the Jahai. The project will secure long-term sponsors to purchase saplings from the nurseries and plant them at sites identified as being important for restoring connectivity in the Central Forest Spine.

In the past year, PSPC has made strong strides in integrating indigenous people into the operations of the park. A successful pilot project in Kg. Sg. Klewang could lead to the expansion of the native tree nurseries to other villages within the park if there is interest. Importantly, it could also present a dynamic model for local community participation elsewhere in Malaysia where Orang Asli live in the vicinity of key protected areas and wildlife corridors. This initiative could well demonstrate a framework for greater involvement of traditional peoples associated with protected areas while providing a viable option for improving local livelihoods.

Jahai communities residing in Royal Belum State Park face many challenges in improving their livelihoods. The aim of the project is to provide a sustainable basis to earn supplementary income.

THF and TRCRC team members on a site visit to ascertain local interest in participating in the project.

Recently, to take advantage of the masting event occurring every five to seven years in dipterocarp forest, TRCRC organized several sessions to collect endangered/rare/threatened (ERT) dipterocarp seeds. These were purchased from the Orang Asli participating in this programme and will be germinated in their dedicated nursery within the Amanjaya Forest Reserve.

Some of the seeds that were gathered by Jahai collectors during the masting event in October 2019.

Community-based Mangrove Restoration in Cherating and Chendor, Pahang

ahmadamir — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 00:13:00 +0000

Mangroves are an important nature-based solution to the current climate crisis. In addition to sequestering carbon they are vital and productive ecosystems that support local economic activity.

This project invests in restoring mangroves in the wetlands of Chendor and Cherating, a popular destination for community-managed ecotourism. Besides its importance for local livelihoods, the area allows people to learn about the role of mangroves in coastal and fisheries resource protection, and as a nature-based solution to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Well-managed ecotourism to the Cherating mangroves demonstrates how economic benefits can responsibly flow from nature. Additionally, the mangrove swamp’s proximity to Club Med Cherating and other resorts draws a steady stream of visitors and provides them with an opportunity to learn about this important ecosystem.

Nature-based tourism along Sungai Cherating: visitors are drawn to the propsect of experiencing magical firefly tours, but come away with new appreciation of mangrove ecosystems.

Funding from The Habitat Foundation will strengthen Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Pahang to build a stronger collaborative framework between academic institutions, government agencies such as the Pahang Forestry Department, and the local community, who are stewards of this ecosystem. This project will involve ongoing volunteer mangrove planting activities and various initiatives to enhance the communication and outreach capabilities of MNS.