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Dec 22 2019

The Habitat Boot Camp unites a new generation of conservationists

BootCamp participants at Penang National Park. Photo by Zulhisyam Zaibuddin

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. From the moment the call for applicants went out it was evident that there was keen interest in the training offered from across the region. It was quite difficult to make the final selection of only 24. 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.

We were delighted to welcome participants whose work sites covers the range of ecosystems found in the region, and whose work approaches span biodiversity research, environmental education, sustainable tourism, and tackling poaching and illegal wildlife trade, among others. There was a good combination of young professionals working in government, NGOs and academia, as well as recent graduates at the start of their conservation journey. Participants came from across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore. Each participant helped broaden our collective understanding of the multiple conservation challenges in our region and also demonstrated an inspiring shared commitment to achieving conservation despite different organizational affiliations.

The lead trainers for the course were Dr Rosie Trevelyan and Dr Kevin Wallace from TBA, who were complemented by other Malaysia-based facilitators and resource persons.

Habitat Bootcamp_trainers
Bootcamp web rosie 72685085 1451148091707822 2436722984983986176 n (1)
Bootcamp web rosie 72685085 1451148091707822 2436722984983986176 n (1)
Dr Kevin Wallace
Dr Kevin Wallace
Dr Isabelle  Lackman
Dr Isabelle Lackman
Dr Nur Munira
Dr Nur Munira
Dr Nadine Ruppert
Dr Nadine Ruppert
Christina Lind-Hunter
Christina Lind-Hunter

Over a packed 8 days, Bootcamp participants covered intensive theory session combined with opportunities to explore the forests of Penang Hill, which included encounters with the night life on hill! The Habitat Penang Hill provided a staging ground for the first few days and an opportunity to become familiar with The Habitat’s unique approach of managing a protected area gateway to be self-financing, to communicate the importance of rainforests, and to generate funding for biodiversity conservation through the work of the Foundation.

BootCampers on Penang Hill
Langur Way Canopy Bridge.
Langur Way Canopy Bridge.
Participants walking the trail with Rosie.
Participants walking the trail with Rosie.
BootCampers at Andaman Tents after a workshop session.
BootCampers at Andaman Tents after a workshop session.
The hard won results of groupwork sessions at Nature Lodge.
The hard won results of groupwork sessions at Nature Lodge.
Priscillia Miard from Night Spotting Project demonstrated the appeal of nightwalks and the use of special instruments to spot nocturnal mammals.
Priscillia Miard from Night Spotting Project demonstrated the appeal of nightwalks and the use of special instruments to spot nocturnal mammals.
Everyone becomes an explorer along the Penang Hill bypaths.
Everyone becomes an explorer along the Penang Hill bypaths.
A huntsman makes an appearance on the night walk.
A huntsman makes an appearance on the night walk.
A banded gecko charms with its striking colours and patterns.
A banded gecko charms with its striking colours and patterns.
Dr Isabelle Lackman emphasises a point in her presentation on mediation.
Dr Isabelle Lackman emphasises a point in her presentation on mediation.
Andaman Tents discussions
Andaman Tents discussions
Walking the bypaths and going down history lane with Peter Van der Lans.
Walking the bypaths and going down history lane with Peter Van der Lans.
Workshop sessions at Nature Lodge.
Workshop sessions at Nature Lodge.
Stakeholder analysis completed and endorsed.
Stakeholder analysis completed and endorsed.

A special visit to the waterfall at Penang Botanical Gardens with the water supply authority for Penang (PBA) set the stage for discussions of forests and ecosystem services, and questions of how to influence policy decisions that adequately sustain these values before they are compromised forever. It is sobering to realise that Penang is only able to supply only 20 percent of its water needs and must depend on the Muda River for the remainder of its water needs. The entire state, as well as neighbouring Perlis and Kedah rely on the Ulu Muda Catchment in Kedah for water supply. Yet, the protection of this vital forest is not assured.

At the iconic waterfall of Penang Botanical Gardens, we celebrate its role in providing one of our basic needs.

At Penang National Park participants met with the officers of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and gained insights into the day to day challenges of managing of a protected area. Conservation is not automatically assured when an area is gazetted as a protected area. Effective management has to involve successfully involving local stakeholders and often dealing with the challenges of managing a park for conservation as well as recreation and tourism with shrinking budgets and limited staff – a challenge that requires creativity and building links with key stakeholders and the public.

At the northwesternmost tip of the island we explored the marine and coastal ecosystems. We visited the Turtle Conservation Centre at Pantai Kerachut and the site of the seasonal meromictic lake further along the beach. A playful otter gamboling on the beach was one of the lasting memories from that experience!

BootCampers at Penang NP
Bootcamp_2911_TNP_7 web
Bootcamp_2911_TNP_7 web
Bootcamp_2911_TNP_3 web
Bootcamp_2911_TNP_3 web
Bootcamp_web_IMG_7240
Bootcamp_web_IMG_7240

All these remarkable ecosystems from Penang Hill to the National Park are part of the 12,500 hectare area comprising both terrestrial and marine landscapes which is being nominated as a UNESCO Man & the Biosphere Programme and will become a global learning site for preserving a pristine core of natural ecosystems which help sustain the needs of the local population.

Next, the focus turned to a practical exercise of understanding a contemporary conservation problem and a project which is at the early stage of development. Looking at the coastal mangroves and mudflats of Teluk Ayer Tawar which is a vital flyway for migratory birds. Participants were able to appraise a conservation and natural resource problem by talking to the project leaders and engaging with local communities living in the mainland. In contemplating the unique challenges and circumstances posed at this project site, participants provided some of their ideas to help achieve strong project outcomes.

Teluk Ayer Tawar - Sungai Acheh field visit
Dr Nur Munira of Shorebirds Project of Peninsular Malaysia provides an overview of Teluk Ayer Tawar and its importance to migrating birds.
Dr Nur Munira of Shorebirds Project of Peninsular Malaysia provides an overview of Teluk Ayer Tawar and its importance to migrating birds.
Shorebirds may be seen congregating in the winter months of December and January annually.
Shorebirds may be seen congregating in the winter months of December and January annually.
A Great Knot which has been tagged. Shorebirds rely on global cooperation to preserve vital habitat for their survival.
A Great Knot which has been tagged. Shorebirds rely on global cooperation to preserve vital habitat for their survival.
Teluk Ayer Tawar is an essential part of the East Australasian bird flyway, so you never know which species you may be lucky enough to spot!
Teluk Ayer Tawar is an essential part of the East Australasian bird flyway, so you never know which species you may be lucky enough to spot!
Encik Mansor of Persatuan Nelayan Kampung Benggali sharing the challenges experienced by fisherfolk in recent years.
Encik Mansor of Persatuan Nelayan Kampung Benggali sharing the challenges experienced by fisherfolk in recent years.
Further south in Nibong Tebal, Pakcik Ilyas of the Penang Inshore Fisherman's Welfare Association which has become a home grown force for mangrove restoration.
Further south in Nibong Tebal, Pakcik Ilyas of the Penang Inshore Fisherman's Welfare Association which has become a home grown force for mangrove restoration.
At the PIFWA mangrove education centre boardwalk, local people inspire by their ingenuity and perseverence at developing a self-sustaining conservation enterprise.
At the PIFWA mangrove education centre boardwalk, local people inspire by their ingenuity and perseverence at developing a self-sustaining conservation enterprise.
Bootcampers posing with local women leaders of PIWANITA and the special berembang jam they produce from mangrove species.
Bootcampers posing with local women leaders of PIWANITA and the special berembang jam they produce from mangrove species.

Turning the focus onto their own work, participants were led through the process of using a Theory of Change approach to critically assess their projects and initiatives. Careful understanding of conservation problems provides clarity on viable conservation solutions. This, with other tools such as stakeholder mapping, adaptive management, mediation, strengthening communication skills, cultivating the qualities of a leader, and practising self-care to ensure resilience, were some of the major learning sessions during the training.

From the experience of the first Habitat BootCamp, it is clear that Penang offers access to a range of landscapes and natural resource management scenarios through which frontliners can critically explore the ever-evolving challenges as they strive to bring about important and meaningful changes in their respective fields. We look forward to welcoming future intakes of practitioners to be part of the BootCamp experience!

The Habitat Foundation funded 65 percent of the cost of course. Southeast Asia Rainforest Research Partnership kindly provided additional scholarships worth RM7,000 to enable participants to attend. Participants covered their own travel to Penang.

Written by habitatf · Categorized: Bootcamp for Conservation Leaders, Training · Tagged: Bootcamp for Conservation Leaders, training, Tropical Biology Association

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