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The Habitat Foundation

A commitment to conserve biodiversity and life-sustaining ecosystems

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Education

The Habitat Foundation believes in the importance of ensuring that future generations have an affinity with nature and understand our dependence on the natural environment. Working closely with The Habitat Penang Hill, the Foundation will provide resources to support environmental education both in and out of the classroom – an essential investment in sowing a sense of responsibility to preserve our living planet among future generations. 

Our education programmes will focus on building capacity and supporting innovation in the area of Communication, Education and Public Awareness to benefit all sectors of society.

Education
  • THF begins video shoot for Environmental Literacy CourseTHF begins video shoot for Environmental Literacy CourseSeptember 15, 2020Environmental champions can be found everywhere: some live in remote forests, and others may live right next door! For the past few months the team from The Habitat Foundation has been working closely with Greensmiths in developing educational modules tailored for students in Malaysia aged 10-15. The upcoming Habitat Academy Environmental Literacy Course is designed to provide young people with the knowledge and insights to empower and equip them for the challenges of our changing world.  The first three modules feature Urban Farming, Rewilding and Biodiversity Gardening, and Mangroves which provide valuable learning on the importance of biodiversity, ecosystem services, nature-based climate solutions, food waste and greenhouse gases, soil conservation, and food self-sufficiency. Helping to provide this understanding are individuals, scientists, and community organizations that are important national ambassadors for these causes. So far, they include TTDI Edible Community Garden (above) and Friends of Sungai Klang Taman Melawati in Kuala Lumpur, Pop & Chee Healthy Home Farm in Penang, the Urban Biodiversity Initiative and Dr Aldrie Amir of The Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network. Our special appreciation to everyone involved for being part of this learning experience. Visit our website to find out more.  Video shooting taking place at Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) rewilding garden with UBI’s co-founder Thary Goh A visit to TTDI Community Garden, a fully volunteer-run garden growing edible produce and processing community-sourced compost The team also visited Kuala Selangor Nature Park for an interview session with mangrove researcher, Dr. A. Aldrie Amir Filming wrapped up at Taman Melawati River Care and Environment Center with the local residents showing us their successful river care and rewilding project The Course Modules are almost ready and we are currently testing them out with student groups.  On 1 October 2020, we successfully held our first session with students from the Green Club of Han Chiang High School! These proved to be stimulating and highly interactive sessions as students grappled with new ideas and concepts guided by our facilitators. If you would like to learn more about the Course, or would like to help participate in a trial session, do email us at thf@habitatfoundation.org.my and follow us on Facebook for more updates.  Class in session...
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  • Resilient Rivers for Future GenerationsResilient Rivers for Future GenerationsSeptember 2, 2020By Matthew Vergara The fading light makes for a magical scene on the Muda River in Kedah’s pristine upper Muda catchment area. World Rivers Day is observed every September in celebration of earth’s waterways and in hopes of highlighting their value and raising awareness for the improved stewardship of rivers across the globe. In addition to being natural ecosystems for an array of species, rivers play an important role in providing us with irreplaceable services. But, as rivers are continuously being pushed to the limit by human activities it is vital that we transform the way we think and act if we are to preserve our rivers which are such a lifeline to us all. A recent online talk entitled ‘Defining the New Normal: Focus on Resilient Waterways’ was held, featuring Dr Eva G. Abal of the International River Foundation based in Brisbane, Australia as the keynote speaker. Dr Abal stressed the importance of pushing for a paradigm shift in river management, from merely viewing our rivers as assets for services such as drainage, to a more outcome-based understanding whereby rivers become an integral part of our lifestyle. In essence, this will then encourage stakeholders to manage rivers from a strategic long-term approach instead of a reactive method of management which we still often see following major disturbances such as floods and water contamination. The International River Foundation’s framework for sustainable river management revolves around the theme of River Resilience. Resilience has traditionally been considered to be the ability of a system to resist change. But the pace of change affecting waterways worldwide has been accelerating, Rivers face an almost constant regimen that has seriously undermined their capacity to bounce back from degradation and disturbances. The River Resilience approach encapsulates the capacity of a river system and its associated communities to quickly recover from disturbances, to adapt to changes without collapsing, and finally, to transform through innovation and implementation of resilience strategies. About sixty years ago, the River Thames was declared biologically dead, but through the work of the Environment Agency and its predecessors and partners, the cleaner waters and improved habitats have encouraged the return of a whole range of wildlife. Today, the Yamuna River, a main tributary of the Ganges is fortunately undergoing a similar process of rehabilitation by stakeholders. The Yamuna’s problems are mainly the result of the rapid population growth and industrialization which India is experiencing. Through a successful shift in the way people view waterways, the Yamuna catchment area has seen more than fifty ‘Friends of the River’ groups establish themselves along its 1,400km stretch, along with extensive catchment restoration, river health monitoring, and the introduction of sustainable practices such as natural farming and proper waste management in the region. These are just two examples that show that building river resilience is an effective way forward. Decades-long initiatives have been successful in revitalizing the River Thames from a sewage and pollutant filled waterway in the mid 20th century to what it is today. Here in Malaysia, the conversation on river management remains an important one. Our rivers supply roughly 97% of the water needed for agricultural, industrial and domestic use. This is mainly due to the abundant rainfall which makes it easy for us to harvest surface water. Despite this reliance on healthy rivers and river basins, many rivers in Malaysia, especially those flowing through urban and industrial areas are far from healthy. Too often rivers are regarded as drains that are expected to magically transport pollutants and waste away from sight. But as we well know, solid waste collects in our lakes and coastline where it is a hazard to humans and nature alike. Pollutants rarely dissolve fully to the extent that they can be regarded as fully innocuous. Stakeholders need to work toward managing and conserving the rivers we still have. Beyond being seen as a source of fresh water, and providing drainage and sewerage services, rivers need also to be appreciated holistically to include their ecological, social, and economic benefits. Malaysians are accustomed to seeing murky brown rivers. Sediment runoff due to deforestation is often the main source of this unsightly and ecologically compromised condition. Dr Abal elaborated on one such plan by the International River Foundation that could be applicable to Malaysia and many other regions. The Resilient Rivers Blueprint expands on the pre-existing concepts of Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) by providing various tools that can be used by actors, from government bodies right down to local communities, to build and achieve river resilience in the local context. If we can, as a society, begin to internalise this rethink, and the care and protection of our waterways is effectively upheld by all segments of society and environmental protection agencies, there may be cause to be hopeful that our rivers will continue to provide for and be enjoyed by future generations. For more information on The Resilient Rivers Blueprint and what you can do to contribute to a growing platform of global information and resource for river resilience, visit resilientrivershub.com...
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  • Upskill to support native flora and fauna in our citiesUpskill to support native flora and fauna in our citiesAugust 24, 2020Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) is on a mission to raise awareness of how private and public green spaces are important refuges for native wildlife, including many species that make invaluable contributions to ecosystems and even food production. Through their online workshops, they are making an impact by enlisting the public’s participation in a movement to ‘rewild’ our urban landscape and transform the urban landscape to one that continues to support native species. In July, UBI ran online workshops on urban farming, butterfly gardens, biodiversity gardening and bee gardens for their Biodiversity Gardens Capacity Building Online Workshop Series. Now they are back with round two. Be sure the catch the free webinars which will livestream on Facebook. Join Chan Zi Xiang of Langit Collective as he discusses how we can better conserve soil and the significance this has for food quality and security; Adam Kamal of Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC) as he examines ways to conserve and reintroduce native trees in the city; Jo Leen Yap of Langur Project Penang as she shares the key concepts and principles of citizen science and how it can contribute to conservation; and Affan Nasaruddin of UM Water Warriors as he explains the importance of drains, small ponds and wetlands as well as ways to monitor and conserve them. This online workshop series, organized with the Kota Damansara Community Forest Society and with funding from The Habitat Foundation and the UNDP GEF Small Grants Program, aims to develop knowledge and skills among urban communities that want to conserve, improve and manage green spaces in the city. Chan Zi Xiang co-founded Langit Collective, a social enterprise that aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural economies. He is Langit’s Chief Fincancial Officer and also handles community engagement and field operations. Trained as an actuary, he left his corporate career to venture into developmental work in the rural interiors of Borneo. His years of working on the ground with indigenous communities formed his firm belief that the way forward for rural indigenous communities is through revaluing their unique heirloom agricultural products. By leveraging on indigenous wisdom, knowledge and culture of environmental stewardship, he is currently charting an adapted regenerative farming method with the Lun Bawang community of Long Semadoh. How can we design urban landscapes around native trees? Many of the trees found in urban landscapes are chosen based on their survivorship or aesthetic qualities. By reintroducing native trees, we can not only bring back some of the original identity of our urban areas and but also help address the loss of native biodiversity. These efforts can also supply seed stock to perpetuate forest species. Curious? Join Adam Kamal from TRCRC to brush up on your tree ecology knowledge and history of landscape planning in Malaysia before delving into some of the issues and possible solutions to introducing lowland forest species in urban areas. If you are an architect, surveyor, landscape designer, horticulturist, dendrologist, conservationist or interested community member, this workshop should be of interest to you. Be part of this conversation and the rewilding movement! Adam Kamal is a Conservation Biologist by training and is currently working as a Project Consultant at Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC). Adam graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, concentrating on vertebrate and vascular plant ecology and evolution. He is passionate about outdoor recreation and finding viable solutions to the biodiversity crisis. His interest lies in rewilding degraded ecosystems and bringing functional forest ecosystems into urban environments. How can we contribute directly to conservation? Can laypeople help shape scientific research? A common misconception is that only experts can conduct scientific research. With proper guidance, however, citizen scientists can help address two major limiting factors in research—time and workforce. Join Jo Leen Yap from Langur Project Penang (LPP) to find out how to start and successfully manage a citizen science project from a student perspective or become involved in one. LPP is a model of what can be achieved when everyday citizens and trained scientists collaborate for conservation. Learn more about the types of research and conservation work LPP does and how you can volunteer for them or use it as a template for a citizen science project. If you are an environmental educator, researcher, student or community member interested in conservation, this workshop should be of interest to you. Jo Leen Yap is a wildlife researcher and environmental educator studying the ecology and behaviour of dusky langurs (Trachypithecus obscurus) in Penang, Malaysia. She is the founder and head of Langur Project Penang (LPP), a community science project on primate research and conservation. Jo Leen and her team actively engage with local communities to promote coexistence between humans and animals. She is the first Malaysian to receive the Environmental Educators 30 under 30 (EE 30U30) Award in 2018, and initiated the installation of Malaysia’s first urban arboreal crossing in 2019 to enhance connectivity for threatened wildlife crossing busy urban roads. LPP was featured in the BBC Earth Series, ‘Primates’ in May 2020. While we often think of forests and gardens as vital refuges for biodiversity, we tend to underestimate the importance of small water bodies and their role in supporting freshwater biodiversity. As part of our initiative to make urban landscapes more hospitable to nature, this webinar will provide useful insights and a fresh appreciation of drains, ponds and urban wetlands! Join Affan Nasaruddin from UM Water Warriors to understand how freshwater environments can enliven recreational spaces, assist with climate adaptation and flood mitigation, and provide places for biodiversity to flourish. This workshop would be of special interest to environmental educators, researchers, students, community members and community-based organizations. Affan Nasaruddin is a co-founder of UM Water Warriors. He completed his undergraduate degree at the Department of Geology, University of Malaya and has a Masters in Environmental Management from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His interest lies in the restoration of natural water bodies, sustainable innovation, and environmental education. He is currently researching place-based citizen science for Sungai Klang and Sungai Selangor river basins and co-manages Rumah No.2, Universiti Malaya as an environmental education space. Together with his wife, Asiah and a community group of Mukim Pasangan, he also co-founded Inspirasi Kawa, a youth environmental club in Kuala Selangor. For more information please visit their Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ubimy/events/. To register for any of their upcoming workshops, kindly fill up the following form: https://shorturl.at/exOV6....
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  • Covid-19: What Science SaysCovid-19: What Science SaysJune 5, 2020This web forum brings together experts from a range of disciplines to assist us in understanding the Covid-19 pandemic from the perspective of public health and environmental management in Malaysia. Our aim is to uphold the most current and credible science on the origins and spread of the virus, dispel myths and fallacies, and engage in a constructive discussion of pro-active measures to avoid the spread of similar zoonotic diseases in the future. This is a forum that should not be missed by researchers, practitioners and policymakers involved in the public health, natural resource management sectors, as well as anyone interested in science-based decision-making. This session is jointly organized by the Society of Conservation Biology Malaysia and The Habitat Foundation under its Expert Series of online events. It will be moderated by Dr Ahmad Zafir who is the Education, Research and Training Manager at The Habitat Foundation, and will be live-streamed on YouTube at this link: https://youtu.be/CUlDcX2ts4c Hear from and interact with the following experts to better understand the Covid-19 pandemic and learn about important considerations for public health, wildlife and habitat conservation. For more information, please visit the Facebook Event https://www.facebook.com/events/2632986400246710/, the SCB Malaysia Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SCBiologyMalaysia/ or email scbiomsia@gmail.com...
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  • iNaturalist brings together biodiversity enthusiasts at The HabitatiNaturalist brings together biodiversity enthusiasts at The HabitatFebruary 23, 2020In January 2020, iNaturalist trainers including Community and Support Coordinator, Tony Iwane, and Stakeholder Engagement Strategist, Carrie Seltzer, conducted a workshop at The Habitat Penang Hill to share the capabilities of this AI-powered citizen science platform in Southeast Asia. Participants included NGOs, academics, and nature enthusiasts. The Habitat Foundation funded some of the additional participants comprising GreenSmiths, Shorebirds Project of Peninsular Malaysia and researchers from the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Community and Support Coordinator, Tony Iwane, discusses how to filter iNaturalist data Jointly supported by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, iNaturalist is mostly used as an app for identifying species, but it has so much more potential. Unknown to many users, it is also available on web format and is primarily an online social network. That puts iNaturalist under the same category as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, but with the specific function of supporting the sharing of biodiversity to get people excited about and invested in nature. Anyone with access to a smartphone or computer can use it to filter and retrieve data, record their observations with optional journal entries, get help with species identifications, or work with others to gather this type of information. The workshop started with the sharing of iNaturalist success stories around the world—how it has empowered communities to lobby government for the protection of habitats and played a significant role in documenting extremely rare and even, new species. It also addressed some of the challenges facing iNaturalist including, increasing the number of users, preventing careless entries, whether or not to turn on geoprivacy and the current limitations of using it outside of North America. Participants discuss how they can incorporate iNaturalist into their work Although it caters to the general public, iNaturalist also has functionalities allowing for more niche usage, with scientists tapping into shared research-grade data on organism occurrence. The data is available for free, cutting down on the personnel and time otherwise needed, which is hugely important with many species teetering on the brink of extinction. There were opportunities for participants to explore the myriad of species at The Habitat Penang Hill using the app. Others stayed on to learn how they could integrate it into their projects, including the upcoming City Nature Challenge 2020 in April which provides an opportunity to put urban biodiversity into the spotlight. This initiative arises from concerns about the steep declines in tree-cover and biodiversity in urban landscapes as a by-product of urbanization. In addition to addressing the loss of green spaces, which make cities liveable, the IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) has highlighted the urgent need to preserve spaces in cities for plant and animal species. With this in mind, The Habitat Foundation has identified a cluster of strategic projects with the potential to synergise efforts in the population centres of Penang and the Klang Valley. These will focus on rewilding urban areas, linking urban forest refuges, and instituting new norms and policies with key government authorities and civil society organisations....
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  • Penang Island takes on the cities of the world in the global City Nature Challenge in April 2019Penang Island takes on the cities of the world in the global City Nature Challenge in April 2019January 7, 2019Come April 2019, people from more than 100 cities around the world will be engaged in a global competition to log the highest number of species observations around their homes, schools, and surrounding areas. The competition makes use of the citizen science iNaturalist application which anyone can download on their smartphones. The international City Nature Challenge has become a great platform to raise awareness of the biodiversity all around us and to cultivate sensitivity towards the need to keep this planet habitable for all life forms. The Habitat Penang Hill and The Habitat Foundation are proud to be the lead organizers for the Penang Island challenge and we hope to enlist the competitive spirit of all Penang Islanders to showcase the amazing diversity of life on our small but significant island! The Penang Island CNC 2019 is also being supported by Penang Hill Corporation, Friends of Penang Botanical Gardens Society, Malaysian Primatological Society, Malaysian Nature Society, Penang Forestry Department, Penang Education Department, Night Spotting Project, Nature Classroom and Nature Walks Penang Hill. During the Penang Island City Nature Challenge, participants will be logging their species observations wherever nature can be found, including The Habitat Penang Hill. Background to the City Nature Challenge The City Nature Challenge was first organized in the United States by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and California Academy of Sciences in 2016. It was an inter-city competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The following year it went nationwide with tremendous success, and by 2018 the City Nature Challenge had grown into an international event involving 63 countries. In this global celebration of urban biodiversity, participants searched for and document plants and wildlife in a bio blitz-style competition. Cities compete against each other to see which can make the most nature observations, document the most species, and engage the most people. Learning about the biodiversity living within cities has proven to be a great way to build awareness of urban flora and fauna and engage the public in ensuring its protection. What to expect from City Nature Challenge 2019 For CNC 2019, more than a hundred cities around the world are expected to compete against each other for the highest number of observations and the highest number of species recorded by participants.  This is the first year Penang Island is taking part. CNC 2019 will run from 26-29 April 2019 and will feature many supporting events held at multiple locations with the assistance of our event partners. The Penang Island City Nature Challenge 2019 held in April is open to the general public.  For this year’s challenge, participants will be making observations of flora and fauna which could include all kinds of insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals, among others. Cash prizes of RM1000, RM700 and RM500 are up for grabs for the top three participants with the most observations on iNaturalist. Winners also stand to receive attractive Habitat merchandise. The Penang Island Intersecondary School City Nature Challenge, February 2019 To make things more exciting, this year, to engage students in the quest for urban biodiversity, we will be holding the Penang Intersecondary School City Nature Challenge on 23 February 2019.  On this day, students from Penang island schools will be vying for four all-expense paid trips to Hong Kong to participate in the Hong Kong City Nature Challenge from 26 to 29 April 2019!   Students interested in participating need only sign up online here. One of our team will be in touch with more details on the challenge. There will be many concurrent events on 23rd February organized with the event organizers and supporters. Be sure to visit this page again for further updates! How to get started You can participate in your own backyard, in your local park, on a school or university field trip, or on a hike or excursion with nature enthusiasts—as long as it is within the Penang Island! First you need to download the iNaturalist app using your smartphone & register yourself. Next, join the Penang Island City Nature Challenge 2019 under “Projects”. Once you have done that, you can begin to make observations! https://www.inaturalist.org/ Take photos of animals (insects, birds, reptile, sea water animals and so on). Try your best to identify the name of the animals you photographed. Fill in any additional information you have, and then add the observation to the Penang Island City Nature Challenge 2019 projects and click done! And that is all there is to it! You can make as many observations as you can. The logged observations and species identification will take places between April 20 and May 5 2019, after which the winners will be announced. iNaturalist is easy to use, and immediately you are in contact with a global community of nature enthusiasts as well as experts at the very top of their field, all united in the common quest to document biodiversity....
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  • Future environmental leaders are made in the wildFuture environmental leaders are made in the wildDecember 12, 2018The Habitat Foundation believes that transformative experiences in nature are an important foundation for future leaders and changemakers. For this reason, we were excited to partner with GreenSmiths, a leader in outdoor environmental education for young people. For three activity-filled days in November 2018, 16 young people were supported by the Foundation to join a GreenSmiths expedition to the Ulu Muda Field Research Centre, in the heart of the Greater Ulu Muda Rainforest in Kedah.  A visit to Ulu Muda provides a rare opportunity to enjoy the pristine rivers of this important catchment area. GreenSmiths expeditions are unique as they are run by young people who are themselves on an internship to develop their leadership abilities in addition to conservation, eco-engineering, and education skills. The group travelled by boat up the Muda river to Earth Lodge, at the Ulu Muda Field Research Centre. The Centre hosts local and international research on the biodiversity and ecology of this remarkable forest. Earth Lodge is operated by local villagers and the expeditions use local boats, equipment, food and materials. Maintaining sustainable, non-destructive economies for Malaysia’s forest is vital to ensure their long-term protection.The Ulu Muda rainforest has so many incredible sites to explore. Students had the opportunity to visit a natural hot spring and hike through the jungle to collect data from camera traps that have been installed to monitor wildlife in the area.  This was an amazing way to appreciate the wonder of the Malaysian rainforest which is brimming with life. The group saw lizards, snakes, and many fascinating insects and spiders. They even managed to see the fresh tracks of wild pigs, deer, tapir and elephants! Two scorpions fluoresce dramatically under ultra-violet light during a night walk. In the evening the group went back onto the river with the hope of seeing elephants, but despite waiting for a long time only tracks and elephant dung hinted at the presence of these forest giants.  At night, as the forest came alive with different creatures and sounds, the group set out to see scorpions, reptiles and amphibians.  Each day would begin at the crack of dawn as the sun was rising and the group would float gently downriver in boats. The wonderful call of agile gibbons would echo through the trees and it was possible to spot a diversity of birds including several species of hornbills. After returning for breakfast, the students who are studying at local colleges and universities, discussed how to create a sustainable planet through the career paths they have chosen.  Engineering students were encouraged to imagine how to power our lives more sustainably, banking students were challenged to consider ways in which the financial world can foster green options, while scientists were encouraged to make their research compelling and accessible to the public. Memories to last a lifetime and lay a foundation for the future! A final group photo before participants go their separate ways.  Through expeditions like this one, GreenSmiths is committed to enabling young people to have this immersive experience at a time when it can powerfully shape their thinking. Activities like this are a way to nurture future-leaders who will have a role in steering society towards more sustainable options. During the expedition, along with learning about the forest, young people were asked to make a short video to record their experience and to share it with others. All participants on the expedition had an incredible time with new friendships made and experiences that will last a lifetime. It is our hope that these will lay a strong foundation for these decision-makers and future leaders of Malaysia....
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  • Sustainability in the Spotlight at 2018 Thunderbird ConferenceSustainability in the Spotlight at 2018 Thunderbird ConferenceDecember 11, 2018One for the album: Members of the Thunderbird Independent Alumni Association and senior staff and faculty of Arizona State University gathered for an unforgettable time in George Town and on Penang Hill.   Global business leaders and distinguished alumni from the Thunderbird Independent Alumni Association (TIAA) gathered in Penang over 4-6 October 2018 for their Fall 2018 Conference to discuss, learn and engage with experts on the topic of Sustainability in Business: The Next Asian Revolution. The occasion was particularly meaningful as it was jointly organized with Arizona State University (ASU) and involved the active involvement of the senior leadership and faculty members from both institutions. Participants begin to arrive at the E&O Hotel Over several days, participants gathered at a series of uniquely Penang venues for conference to listen to a diverse array of speakers exploring Asian perspectives on the global debate around sustainability. The panel and plenary speakers highlighted factors impacting Asian development and provided engaging and refreshingly personal viewpoints on the role business and policymakers can play in helping to nurture a shift towards sustainability at all levels. For many of the participants this was a first visit to Penang. Naturally, amidst the formal sessions, there were opportunities aplenty to enjoy the uniquely Penang fusion of East and West and old world charm. Khoo Kongsi, the historic Chinese clanhouse, undoubtedly one of the most distinctive sites within George Town’s UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Area, was the venue for the welcome reception on 4 October 2018. Mr Chow Kon Yeow, the Chief Minister of Penang was also present to offer a warm Penang welcome to the over 120 participants who had journeyed here from the United States and throughout Asia to attend. Dr. Rick Shangraw, the CEO of ASU Enterprise Partners the fundraising organization for ASU Foundation and related entities, Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, the Dean and Director-General of the Thunderbird School for Global Management, Doug Deardorf, TIAA Board Chairman, and Mr. Harry Cockrell, TIAA Board Member, Founder and Managing Director of the Pacific Tiger Group (PTG) also took to the stage to address the lively gathering which was a reunion for many Thunderbird alumni attending. The beautifully restored 1930s U.A.B Building which serves as the Penang office of Khazanah Nasional, the sovereign wealth fund of the Malaysian Government, was the venue for the following day’s sessions which was a panel discussion on Corporate Sustainability moderated by Patricia Dwyer, Founder and Director at The Purpose Business. Patricia also serves on the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Environment and was previously global head of CSR & Sustainability for Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts. Panelists were Dr Huaying Zhang, Head of PACS Institute (Public Affairs Communication & Sustainability Institute) of Coca-Cola Greater China & Korea Business Unit, Mr. Stephen Olson, Research Fellow at the Hinrich Foundation and Visiting Scholar, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Mr. Mark Devadason, Founder and Principal, Azabu Management Services. Distinguished plenary speakers were Mr. Vivek Pathak, Chief Credit Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, a Distinguished Fellow of Asia Global Institute at the University of Hong Kong, and Chief Adviser to the China Banking Regulatory Commission. The lunchtime keynote was delivered by Mr. Bob Theleen, a pioneer investor and investment banker in China. He is the founder and CEO of ChinaVest, Ltd. Headquartered in Shanghai, one of the premier Merchant Banks in China. Founded in 1982 as one of China’s first institutionally-funded venture capital funds, ChinaVest has invested more over US$500 million in more than 50 companies in China. The afternoon featured an historic signing ceremony signalling the launch of the first-ever non-state-owned Executive Education programme to be offered to Chinese middle managers, which will be delivered by the Thunderbird School of Global Management. The celebratory mood continued with a glittering night of fine dining and entertainment at Suffolk House which is a stunning example of an Anglo-Indian garden house and Malaysia’s only surviving Georgian Mansion. Originally built in the early 1800s, Suffolk House served as the home of successive British Governors for decades before eventually falling into disuse. A Herculean restoration effort led by the Penang Heritage Trust eventually returned the House to it is former glory, for which it received the 2008 Award of Distinction in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation. Participants make a toast while dining at Suffolk House On the final day of the conference, The Habitat Penang Hill, the word class rainforest discovery centre was the venue for the final Panel on Sustainability & Nature moderated by Dr Meg Lowman. Dr Meg, is Lindsay Chair in Botany, Califorinia Academy of Sciences and Science Advisor to The Habitat Penang Hill. Malaysia Finance Minister, Mr Lim Guan Eng, was a surprise guest of honour, also joined the gathering and providing an insightful keynote and entertaining address. The panelists for this session included Dato’ Sri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the former mayor of George Town, joined the conference from Kenya where she now serves as the Executive Director of UN-Habitat. Other speakers were Kiat W. Tan, the Founding CEO of Gardens by the Bay Singapore, Bjorn Low, Co Founder, The Edible Garden City, Singapore and Dr Chris Boone, Dean and Professor, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University. Distinguished panelists at the Panel Sustainability & Nature which is was moderated by Dr Meg Lowman. Seated next to her is Dato’ Sri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the Executive Director of UN-Habitat, followed by Kiat W. Tan, the Founding CEO of Gardens by the Bay Singapore, Bjorn Low, Co Founder of The Edible Garden City, Singapore and Dr Chris Boone, Dean of the School of Sustainability, Arizona State University. After the panel session, participants explored The Habitat’s nature trail and iconic treetop and canopy walks together with knowledgeable naturalists and subject specialists. The evening continued with hawker stalls and buffet stations at Curtis Crest serving up the regional flavors of Malaysia to the mesmerizing rhythms of a traditional Gamelan orchestra....
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  • Langur Project Penang – Jo Leen YapLangur Project Penang – Jo Leen YapNovember 3, 2018Langur 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 captivating dusky langurs. Langur Project Penang has been studying the ecology and behaviour of dusky langurs in Penang since 2016. Dusky langurs spend most of their time feeding and sheltering on tall trees but they need to cross the road from the forest to the coast to forage for plants that are important to their diet. Langurs mainly cross by leaping from tree to tree (63%). However, if there is no tree connectivity, they will move along cable wires (34%) or run across the road (2.6%). Langur casualties occur when they accidentally fall when crossing on cable wires or get hit by fast-moving vehicles. Bridging the gap In order to help langurs adapt to living in human-impacted landscapes, LPP is spearheading a project to install canopy bridges in strategic locations to enable arboreal wildlife to cross safely. This pilot project will provide valuable information to advocate for sustainable road development not just in Penang but elsewhere in Malaysia. Living together The education and awareness campaign supported by The Habitat Foundation is a way to help the public understand the challenges faced by wildlife in urban settings and promote empathy and support for these species. In 2018, Jo Leen was recognised as one of the world’s 30 Under 30 by the North American Association for Environmental Education for her contributions. Visit Langur Project Penang’s facebook page for more information on their activities and programmes.   Other 2018 Grant Recipients    ...
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  • ‘Our Shared Habitat’ Exhibition opens for one month in George Town‘Our Shared Habitat’ Exhibition opens for one month in George TownOctober 4, 2018The Habitat Penang Hill and The Habitat Foundation are pleased to invite you to our exhibition “Our Shared Habitat” which will be at the Event Hall of the UAB Building from 28 Sept – 28 Oct 2018. The exhibition celebrates the amazing diversity of life within Malaysia’s amazing rainforests and the role natural ecosystems play in sustaining our living environment. At the same time, there is an urgent need to raise awareness of the impacts of human activities on the planet which threaten the quality of life and those of future generations. A sustainable future begins with understanding that we are a part of nature, not apart from it. But it is not all doom and gloom. There is also cause for optimism. “Our Shared Habitat” is a timely opportunity to highlight the efforts of individuals and organizations we are associated with as well as those that are being supported by The Habitat Foundation. Significant among these is the support for the Penang Government’s Initiative to nominate the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. This would be well-deserved recognition of this distinctive natural and cultural landscape and would provide the platform to make Penang a learning place for the collective global quest for sustainability. Our objective for the exhibition is to awaken the desire among all that visit it to consider the actions they can take to reduce their environmental impact or protect important habitats. It is especially suited for students and all who are concerned about environmental conservation and sustainable living. “Our Shared Habitat” is open to the public from 10.00 am – 7.00 pm daily (closed on Mondays). Admission is free. Help us promote the exhibition on social media and you can win attractive gifts. There are tickets to The Habitat Penang Hill Sunset Walk as well as limited edition Habitat t-shirts given out each week! In addition, free public talks will be held on most weekends at the Multi-Purpose Hall on Level 1. Be sure to visit our Facebook events page to find the scheduled talks on biodiversity and conservation throughout the month of October 2018!    ...
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Address:
The Habitat Foundation
The Habitat Penang Hill
Bukit Bendera,
11300 Penang, MALAYSIA.

Email:
thf@habitatfoundation.org.my

Phone:
+604 – 8267677

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