The on-going pandemic meant that this year’s Earth Day celebrations were conducted digitally. Here is a summary of Earth Day activities across the month of April.
Earth Week with Think City Institute
Together with Think City Institute and supported by TNB, FoBK hosted 4 webinars across the week of 20-27 April 2021. Below are the recordings of the webinars:
#1 – Youth Engagement in Climate Action
Description: The climate emergency will affect our collective future. So how can the leaders of tomorrow rise up to seize the future today? This webinar will explore how to amplify the voice that matters most – youths!
Speakers: Jasmin Ilham (Climate and Environment Consultant, UNICEF), Mathini Arveena Ravee, Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY)
Moderator: Thary Gazi Goh, Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI)
#2 – Why Communities Are Important In Protecting Green Spaces
Description: How do you balance the development of Greater KL while protecting urban green lungs? This webinar takes a look at the instrumental role of community-based organisations in advocating for the protection of urban forests and why your voice matters.
Speakers: Justine Vaz (General Manager, The Habitat Foundation); Peter Leong (Treasurer, Friends of Bukit Kiara)
Moderator: Kribanandan Gurusamy Naidu, President of the Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK)
#3 – Firefly Biodiversity, Mysteries & Ecology
Description: Did you know fireflies can be found in urban forests? Inland fireflies are numerous in shape, size & light display patterns, reflecting their higher biodiversity & unique relationship with our forests. As part of FoBK’s ‘Magical Mysteries at Bukit Kiara’, a project supported by GEF-SGP-UNDP & JLN, there will be a sharing of insights into these fascinating creatures.
Speakers: Thary Goh, Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI); Dr Nada Bt Badruddin, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
Moderator: Leon Koay (Friends of Bukit Kiara, Save Taman Rimba Kiara)
#4 – Restoring Our Earth
Description: The theme of Earth Day 2021 is ‘Restore Our Earth’. What does that mean for Malaysia? This webinar explores the challenges faced in tackling the climate emergency locally.
Speakers: Sofia Castelo, Lead of Think City’s Resilience Community of Practice, Think City; Dr Dzaeman Dzulkifli, Executive Director, Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC)
Moderator: Baida Jane Hercus, Free Tree Society (FTS)
Spotlight On Our Friends
In line with this year’s Earth Day theme, we featured other organisations that do amazing conservation work across Klang Valley and Malaysia. From Malaysian Nature Society to Shah Alam Community Forest and EcoKnights, this is not an exhaustive list but just some of the good folks doing good work across Greater KL.
Watch the videos on Facebook.
A Guide To Bukit Kiara with a Budding Biologist
Have you ever wondered what exactly are the plants you see in Bukit Kiara? We enlisted the wisdom of Marcus Lim, a 9-year old budding biologist, to be our guide to the wonders of this urban forest!
Getting Lost in Bukit Kiara with Rambo Tan
It was a wild day out in Bukit Kiara as wild man Rambo Tan decided to go for a walk in the forest. With some help from Marcus Lim and friends, he survived the short trek – no injuries but with lots of stories to tell.
Watch the livestream on Facebook.
