In line with The Habitat Foundation’s commitment to promoting awareness and appreciation for the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, we are thrilled to present a curated list of activities and programmes. These endeavours encompass community empowerment, school engagement, and environmental education, all come under the umbrella of Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA). In addition, we are working towards advancing our strategic partnerships.
1. Grants within the PHBR Area
Since its inception in 2018, The Habitat Foundation has prioritised grant applications tailored for the PHBR landscape. Presently, there are 14 ongoing and past grant projects spanning a spectrum from species research and conservation to ecological studies, sustainable development, and community engagement.
This initiative underscores the importance of achieving harmony between human communities and UNESCO-recognised natural heritage areas of international significance.
2. CIMB EcoSave-i
With the support from CIMB Islamic, four comprehensive projects were crafted for communities surrounding PHBR, addressing the domains of environmental education, food waste management, sustainable hiking advocacy, and human-primate coexistence.
These endeavours are further facilitated with collaboration from various environmental organisations, educational institutions, and state government agencies.
In March 2024, these projects underwent rebranding under the collective banner of “Our Nature, Our Treasure”.
3. Continuous Tourism-Related Education (CTRE)
Leveraging on Penang’s status as a tourism hub, a series of CTRE courses was organised and customised for local licensed tour guides in partnership with the Penang Tourist Guides Association (PTGA).
This initiative’s objective is to enrich the expertise of tour guides concerning the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, empowering them to advocate for sustainable practices and nature appreciation to local and international tourists. Additionally, it offers tour guides an avenue for continuous learning to renew their licenses.
4. The Habitat Academy
The Habitat Academy presents a robust curriculum comprising 10 modules, delivered through a blend of online sessions and immersive field trips spanning Penang Island.
Designed to enrich students’ understanding and ignite their passion for addressing contemporary issues, the programme features home discovery assignments and self-reflection activities.
At the heart of the curriculum lies the focus on linking students with impactful local case studies, facilitating open discussions on pressing concerns like climate change and species loss.
Furthermore, the programme actively seeks to broaden its collaborations with educational partners, providing students with direct access to subject matter experts for in-depth conversations.
5. A Tale of Two Hills (ATOTH)
A Tale of Two Hills is an innovative mentorship programme that explores the historical hill stations of Malaysia, capturing the essence of history, sense of place, and belonging.
The programme is designed to foster visual storytellers who document the natural heritage and cultural narratives of two of Malaysia’s earliest colonial hill stations: Penang Hill and Maxwell Hill.
Exhibitions were curated to showcase the diverse works of these visual storytellers, covering a wide array of topics such as sustainability, biodiversity, endemic species, the societal impact of colonialism, and the intergenerational dynamics of communities residing in and around the highlands.
Visit their website for more information. This programme was made possible with the support of Think City.
6. Cultural Mapping on Penang Hill
Under the theme of “Coexistence of Penang and Nature – Plants Around Us,” The Habitat Foundation, ArtsEd, and Nature Classroom joined forces to create a community-based learning programme specifically designed for youth. This programme empowers young individuals to conceptualise, design, and implement educational initiatives.
By integrating local knowledge with scientific inquiry, students from SMK Air Itam have gained valuable skills. These include hands-on experience in data collection through onsite mapping, utilising secondary sources for research, conducting chromatography experiments, and participating in community interviews.
7. Anak Rimba Books – Beyond Mimo’s Tree
In partnership with Roots & Shoots Malaysia and Anak Rimba Books, The Habitat Foundation has crafted a captivating storybook for young children titled “Beyond Mimo’s Tree.” This enchanting tale follows the journey of a baby Dusky Langur as it embarks on a quest to find its way back to its mother within the PHBR.
Designed to engage and educate young readers, this book serves as a delightful introduction to the biodiversity and wonders of the PHBR. It reflects our dedication to celebrating nature’s richness, advocating for environmental conservation, and fostering sustainability within the PHBR region.
You can purchase the book online or find it at selected bookstores in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, including Anak Rimba and Kommune.Store.
8. PHBR Nook
As part of The Habitat Foundation’s commitment to cultivating a safe and enriching learning space, particularly for the local community’s youth, we launched the PHBR Nook at the Batu Ferringhi Community Library (BFCL). This dedicated space serves as a hub for educating residents, especially children, on the importance and essence of the PHBR.
Through collaborative initiatives with various stakeholders, THF hosted monthly activities at the PHBR Nook. The activities were designed to provide educational experiences, empowering Batu Ferringhi’s youth with a deeper appreciation of the PHBR’s significance and relevance to their community.
9. Visits from Tertiary Institutions
As part of its dedication to promoting sustainable tourism practices and advocating for wildlife conservation within the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve (PHBR), The Habitat Foundation actively encourages academic institutions to embark on firsthand explorations of The Habitat Penang Hill (THPH).
During these visits, participants engage in dynamic exchanges of insights, ideas, and best practices related to sustainable business models and biodiversity conservation.
Additionally, THF offers educational sessions focused on the PHBR and its significance. These visits serve as invaluable opportunities for academia to witness the practical application of sustainability principles and to collaborate on strategies for environmental stewardship.
10. Sustainable Trail Building and Maintenance
The Research Trail, located within the Bukit Kerajaan Forest Reserve, acts as a crucial entry point for researchers and special programmes. Regular maintenance of the trail is conducted by THG staff, and it also serves as a demonstration trail. This project’s objective is to enhance accessibility for researchers conducting fieldwork in Penang Hill.
Currently, the project has facilitated access to numerous research projects funded by THF and has offered corporate social responsibility (CSR) opportunities for volunteers.
Looking ahead, it will expand its role to serve as a training platform for extended trail works within the PHBR region.
