The inaugural Habitat BootCamp for Conservation Leaders and Changemakers which was held in Penang in November 2019 brought together a very special group of conservation practitioners. The BootCamp offers an opportunity for participants to equip themselves with the skills, insights, and inspiration to help them to be more effective in their work. The need for a practitioner BootCamp course was conceptualized by The Habitat Foundation and further developed with the specialist assistance of Tropical Biology Association, Cambridge which has an unrivalled track record of designing training with the unique needs of conservation frontliners in mind.
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A RAINFOREST DISCOVERY CENTRE WITH A MISSION
The Habitat Penang Hill is a world class rainforest discovery centre located at the edge of the magnificent rainforest located within easy access of the vibrant metropolis of Penang. With its nature trail, iconic treetop walkway, and canopy bridge that provide exceptional rainforest experiences, The Habitat aspires to awaken curiosity and nurture support for conservation among the thousands of visitors it receives each year. Funds generated by The Habitat Penang Hill’s commercial operations go into The Habitat Foundation to support innovative solutions to conserving biodiversity and protecting nature both in Penang and beyond.
SUPPORTING INITIATIVES TO CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY
The Habitat Foundation is a charitable trust based in Penang, Malaysia and the non-profit sister organization of The Habitat Penang Hill. The two organizations complement each other in the overall mission to connect people to this ancient rainforest, promote biodiversity conservation, and support meaningful solutions through the programmatic work of the Foundation.
OUR PROGRAMMES
CONSERVATION
We support initiatives to safeguard biodiversity, reverse the loss and degradation of natural ecosystems, and advocate for the sustainable use of natural resources by working closely with government agencies, experts, NGOs, and community partners.
RESEARCH
We fund research in conservation biology and related fields in order to identify practical and actionable solutions to protect biodiversity and promote environmental sustainability. As a strategic centre for rainforest research in our region we provide a dynamic platform for interchange among scientists and conservationists.
EDUCATION
With The Habitat Penang Hill established as an acclaimed rainforest discovery centre, we aim to serve as a hub to raise the quality, reach, and impact of environmental education for schoolchildren. In addition, we support targeted programmes to enhance public environmental awareness and effective community engagement.
SUSTAINABILITY
With The Habitat Penang Hill we seek to demonstrate a working model of sustainable financing for a protected area in which the funds generated from the effective management of this nature discovery gateway can generate jobs, and fund maintenance and curation of a world class visitor attraction.
Within our sustainability pillar we are keen to explore and support all elements where mindset shifts, new policies and approaches, creativity and innovation are needed to ensure the wise use of natural resources and reduce human impact on the planet.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
NOMINATION OF THE PENANG HILL BIOSPHERE RESERVE UNDER THE UNESCO MAN AND THE BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME
The Habitat Foundation and The Habitat Penang Hill are supporting the Malaysian Government’s bid to nominate the forests of Penang Hill and adjacent protected areas as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. In addition to providing recognition for its outstanding biodiversity values and diverse social landscape, a UNESCO listing would provide a foundation for an ongoing quest to seek balance in the interactions between society and the environment.
Travel Grants
The Habitat Foundation offers Travel Grants for Malaysian graduate students and early career researchers in the field of biodiversity conservation and conservation biology to participate in regional and international training workshops, forums, conferences, and other relevant meetings that would give them the opportunity to engage with their peers, present their work, and strengthen their practice. Recipients of a THF Travel Grant are expected to acknowledge support from The Habitat … continue about Travel Grants
The Habitat Foundation Research Grants
Support for research to strengthen biodiversity and habitat conservation in Malaysia The Habitat Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Penang. It is the sister organization to The Habitat Penang Hill rainforest eco-park and supports a broad programme of work focussed on biodiversity conservation in Malaysia. The Habitat Foundation Research Grants The Habitat Foundation Research Grants are intended to strengthen our understanding of rainforest ecology and advance the … continue about The Habitat Foundation Research Grants
The Habitat Foundation Conservation Grants
The Habitat Foundation Conservation Grants have been created to fund impactful and innovative interventions to advance the conservation of biodiversity in Malaysia. Conservation Grants may be used to contribute to an ongoing programme of work and a longer-term mission, or they can support new pilot initiatives which have the potential to be scaled up for wider impact. The proposal should be coherent with current government policies, plans, strategies and laws. Proposals should demonstrate … continue about The Habitat Foundation Conservation Grants
FOUNDATION SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH
Project Pteropus – Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz of Rimba
Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz of the NGO Rimba is the lead researcher of Project Pteropus and the recipient of a 2018 Habitat Foundation research grant. She has been studying the ecology of fruit-visiting bats since 2013. In seeking insights into the ecosystem services they provide she hopes to develop an effective conservation strategy to advocate for these misunderstood animals.
Night Spotting Project – Priscillia Miard
Night Spotting Project is a research and conservation outreach initiative led by Priscillia Miard who has been studying nocturnal mammals for the past six years, a journey that has taken her from her native France, to the jungles of Brunei and Sabah. She is now documenting the distribution of nocturnal species in the forests of Penang, on the mainland, and on Pulau Langkawi. This work will enhance our understanding of the challenges facing these species and help guide effective conservation strategies to ensure their continued role in maintaining healthy forest habitats.
Langur Project Penang – Jo Leen Yap
Langur Project Penang is an innovative citizen science project led by Jo Leen Yap, a promising young primatologist from Penang. The project is helping to educate the public to understand the challenges facing Penang’s charming dusky langurs.
