SWCS NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2016

Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) / Pertubuhan Pemuliharaan Tanah Lembap ,

Established on 22 August 2005

OBJECTIVES  To promote the conservation of wetlands in Sabah and the variety of plants, birds and other kinds of organisms found in In conjunction of World Wetlands Day 2016, Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) in them. collaboration with Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is organising the annual  To raise public aware- World Wetlands Day 2016, which will be held on 27 February 2016 (7.30am – 2.30pm) at Kota ness and appreciation Kinabalu Wetlands. This environmental event aims to raise awareness on the importance of wetlands of wetlands and public for our future, while promoting a healthy lifestyle by organising the 2KM Walk-N-Plant-A-Thon (walk involvement in -a-thon) into the mangrove forest. Among the activities that will be held are; protecting wetlands. 1. World Wetlands Day Launching Ceremony  To manage Kota 2. Wetlands Open Day Kinabalu Wetlands 3. A book launching ―A Guide to the plants of Kota Kinabalu Wetlands‖ 4. Registration and talks for KK Wetlands Voluntary Guardian (KKW) as a model 5. Mangrove Challenge (Sukaneka) and many more.. wetlands centre for the For further information, please visit our face book page at; purpose of conserva- www.facebook.com/events/1049024218451723/ tion, education, recreation, tourism and research.

Contact us: Tel:+6088-246 955 Fax: +6088-247 955 or [email protected]

Like us on Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/ SabahWetlandsConservation Society) Visit our Website: www.sabahwetlands.org Visit us today : Tue-Sun (including PH) 8.00am—6.00pm

PAGE 2 JANUARY 2016 ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS

Waterbird refers to ‗the species of birds which ecologically dependent on wetlands‘. Waterbirds traverse across the world , south- north-south, during their migratory cycle every year to avoid winter in northern and southern continents. Wetlands areas along the waterbirds flyway are vital points for the success of the migration. Sadly, conversion of landuse of wetlands in different countries become more tense recently, creating bottlenecks effect on the waterbirds abundance during the migration. Thus, the monitoring and conservation of the migratory waterbirds is a shared responsibility of all countries.

The International Waterbirds Census is a waterbird monitoring programme coordinated by Wetlands International. The Asian Waterbirds Census (AWC) is a part of the global waterbird monitoring programme to monitor the waterbirds population across the East Asian-Australian Flyway. This year, AWC was scheduled from 9th to 24th January 2016. Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Sabah Branch was holding a census in Sabah on 16th January. KK Wetlands was chosen as gathering center for the volunteers on the day. The area covered for the census includes KK Wetlands, Mudflat, Likas Lagoon, and .

Registration site for Welcoming and briefing by Introduction of AWC by volunteers Mrs Anna Wong Tomoko Ichikawa

Meeting between co-coordinators of Sabah AWC on 12th January, KK Wetlands. From left: Anna Wong (MNS Chairperson), Davisthon (KK Wetlands staff), Rita (KK Wetlands Manager), Eugene Cheah (IWC volunteer) and Tomoko Ichikawa (Volunteer of East Asian-Australasian Flyway

Children group lead by Waterbird counting at the All group gathered again to Tomoko bird hide share the outcomes

Precious moment with the birdwatchers and volunteers. Till we meet again! PAGEPAGE 3 3 JANUARY 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME

7 January 2016: Hong Kong Community College of City University Welcoming our new friends from Hong Kong - Asia's World City! When we do something new, we get new experience no matter it is small or big. Thank you for choosing KK Wetlands as one of the learning ground.

Information sharing by Toru Experiencing the majestic view of Taking photo together before Video presentation and brief (JOCV Volunteer) at the mangrove forest saying good bye introduction of KK Wetlands Exhibition hall

13 January 2016: JICA, DBKK and US Ambassador (The Forest Park Conservancy) We were happy to receive a visit from JICA, DBKK and US Ambassador (Ms Renee Myers) from The Forest Park Conservancy. Always happy to meet individuals and groups that interested in exploring our 24 ha of mangrove conservation area. The amazing perk of working in KK Wetlands is to meet new people..everyday!

Briefing and Q&A session in KK Guided walk with Dr Jiro Iguchi The session ended by momento Wetlands at AV Room presentation to KK Wetlands

13 January 2016: Keisei High School, Japan Students from Keisei High School and SM All Saints working together to achieve their mission; tree replanting and to study on the importance of mangrove conservation.

Briefing before tree planting activity at Planting trees in a hot sunny day is actually Guided walk into the nursery while sharing Sulaman very tiring but it is worthy information about wetlands with the participant PAGEPAGE 3 4 JANUARY 2016 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME 15 January 2016, JICA Study Tour The delegation from Japan Overseas Cooperate Volunteers visited Malaysia for few days, to inspect JOCV activities and to learn about their progress report. Mr. Tamamushi, JOCV from SWCS gave a brief presentation about his duties for the past 6 months and guided them for the mangrove tour .

Presentation by Toru Tamamushi Mangrove tour The JOVC delegation on his work progress

31 January 2016: Rosaryhill School, China A total of 25 students from Rosaryhill School, China joined our handcrafting activity (paper making using used paper) and took a tour into the mangrove forest.

ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTARY Work

23 January 2016: Polytechnic College Kota Kinabalu tree planting Previously, on 23rd Oct 2015, KK Wetlands received a donation of RM4,000 from Ogawa House Builder, a construction company from Japan. They pledged to plant a total of 450 mangrove trees. In continuation of their efforts, a group of 30 students and 4 lecturers from Polytechnic College volunteered to plant the remaining 240 of mangrove trees. Thank you Polytechnic College!

The human chain process: to ease SWCS presented the certificate Group photo before tree planting Hard work pay off the transferring of seedlings of appreciation

All donations made to the Society are exempted from tax under Subsection 44(6) of Income Tax Act 1967. PAGEPAGE 3 5 JANUARY 2016

30 January 2016: MAHSA College students A total of 17 students and 1 lecturer visited KK Wetlands at the best time to help us in doing community service work in KK Wet- lands. The volunteers helped us on the general cleaning, landscaping, repairing gravel path and mangrove clean up. Thank you and we look forward for your continuous support in the near future. ―Don‘t despise your contributions to humanity. Every little kind deed counts.‖ ― Lailah Gifty Akita, Think Great: Be Great!

Group 1: Gardening—trimming Group 2: Cleaning the Group 3: Repairing gravel Last but not least! The As usual the Group Photo leaves and raking the fallen Exhibition hall path mangrove clean up leaves

Sungai kawang fieldtrip

Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society was set up with the objective to raise public awareness and appreciation of wetlands and public involvement in protecting wetlands. This fieldtrip is focusing on the threatened wetlands and getting it protected. Sungai Kawang which located at Kawang, is a potential candidate for a sustainable conservation and management of the mangrove ecosys- tem and river continuum. On 20 and 21 January, a group of Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society‘s researchers led by Dr. Haji Rahi- matsah Amat went to Sg Kawang to conduct resource inventory mainly on flora and fauna and to identify any encroachment or inappro- priate activities along the river.

Team of the fieldtrip lead by Dr Haji Ra- Healthy mangrove trees along the river- Boat ride along Sg Kawang himatsah Amat (second from right) bank

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s NEEDS, but not every man’s GREED. ~Mahatma Gandhi~ PAGE 6 JANUARY 2016

SWCS FIELDTRIP

TRIP TO SUNGEI BULOH WETLANDS RESERVE, SINGAPORE, PANTI BIRD SANCTUARY & SUNGAI PULAI, RAM- SAR SITE , “Jauh perjalanan, luas pandangan”- On 16 and 17 January, the management and staffs of Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society went for fieldtrip to Sg. Buloh Wetlands Reserve, Singapore, Panti Bird Sanctuary, Johor and Sungai Pulai, Johor Ramsar Site with the objective to gain better understanding on the restoration practices and management of mangrove systems, as well as to build rapport and networking between wetlands reserve and Ramsar sites. Once again, life is a journey and every day is an opportunity to go beyond the horizon and do something new.

Group photo with Johor Forestry Department Jungle trekking at Panti Bird Sanctuary Boat Ride along the Ramsar Site, Sungai Pulai officers at Panti Bird Sanctuary

One of observation pod in Sungei Buloh, Tree planting at one of the compartment in Memento presentation with Sungai Buloh Wet- Singapore Sg Pulai lands Reserve officer

Internship

Welcome new intern! Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, would like to welcome you, Nurhidayah; to KK Wetlands and we are grateful that you choose KK Wetlands as your training ground. We assure to assist you in the best possible manners. We hope that you will gain knowledgeable experiences and will learn as many as you can with some cherish able memories. Once again, we welcome you to this wonderful wetlands centre.

Nurhidayah Sharmiera Binti Mohd Shukri, Diploma in Accountancy, Kolej Polytech MARA, Kuantan, PAGE 2 JANUARY 2016

Guest comments Some of....

6 January 2016: Lucy 29 January 2016: Joyce Morgan, Scotland “It is wonderful to find a place like this so close to the city” “We enjoyed our visit here very much. We even saw small snake.”

Joyce (middle)

Daine & Dave, UK (living in France) 28 January 2016: Julian & Brandon Hewitt “We spent an excellent 3 hours — saw some lovely birds from the bird hide (5 “Great area of mangrove, very well or 6 different species). Great job by fun!! A few lifters for us both.” the students, cleaning the mangrove of rubbish. Best wishes for the future success of the centre.”

IN HOUSE EXPERT

Datuk Gerald Goh is a property development and construction industry practitioner. Datuk Gerald also the co- founder and Chief Operating Officer of Kinsabina Group, a local corporation which specializes in property development and construction. Academically, Datuk Gerald possesses a Bachelor‘s degree with honors in Construction Engineering and Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Technical Science (Civil), Master‘s degree in Construction Project Management and a Master‘s degree in Business Administration, all from the UK. Datuk also a Chartered Building Engineer, Chartered Builder, accredited Project Manager in the UK and a Certified Construction Project Manager in Malaysia. Gerald is a Council Member for the Chartered Institute of Building Malaysia (Malaysian Chapter) and a Council Member (Sabah Liaison) for the Association of Construction Project Managers Malaysia.

At the social and community service standpoint, Datuk Gerald has been actively involved with Rotary International and was instrumental to the establishment of Rotary Club of where Datuk was the President for the term 2009-2010 and still a charter member as of to-date. Currently, Datuk Gerald is a member of the Management Committee of Sabah Wetlands Conversation Society and leads the Fundraising Committee, and through this role, Datuk wishes to promote environmental conversation and sustainability awareness to his fellow industry colleagues in the property and construction sector.

In recognition of Datuk Gerald Goh‘s professional, business, social and community accomplishments, Datuk was awarded the Excellence in Achievement of World Chinese Youth Entrepreneurs Award 2013 and was appointed by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing as a Council Member for the Penampang District, Sabah. Recently, Datuk Gerald also being conferred Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (P.G.D.K) which carries the title ‗Datuk‘ by TYT Negeri Sabah, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Juhar bin Haji Mahiruddin, in conjunction with His Excellency‘s 62nd Birthday on 3 October 2015. UPCOMING EVENT ON FEBRUARY

3 February 2016: ANBATAR (Anak Belia Kampung Taritipan) Report Duty (Practical) 27th February 2016: WORLD WETLANDS DAY!

23 February 2016: New Intern Report Duty 29th February 2016: EEP with Tokyo University

24 February 2016: EVW with SMK Taman Tun Fuad PAGE JANUARY 2016 KK Wetlands info Alert for birders and wildlife photographers: Nesting season of PURPLE HERON

Now we can see more than 25 individual Purple Herons, including the newly hatched juveniles.

BIRD HIDE

Purple Heron (Adea purpurea) Description: Look for Diagnostic purple head and neck. Note how head is pulled back during flight. Voice: Harsh croak, mainly uttered within breeding colony and when taking off. Purple Heron Distribution: Africa and Eurasia; Nesting Site northern population migrate. Winter General sight at the nesting site. visitor & resident throughout much of the Photo by: Eugene Cheah (Wildlife Photographer) region, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Brunei. SUPPORT OUR EFFORT! BE A MEMBER today!

Contributors:

Rita Ignatius (Manager / Executive Secretary) Jane Joimin (Environmental Education Officer) Guslia Binti Lahasing (Conservation & Science Officer) Toru Tamamushi (JICA Volunteer) Davisthon Soitoh (Conservation & Education Assist.) Compiled by : Davisthon Soitoh

SUPPORT US BY JOINING OUR PROGRAMMES: Environmental Educational Programmes:  KK Wetlands Mangrove Experience Programme Mangrove Conservation Experience Programme (includes tree planting in ) Handcrafting from Mangrove Environmental Voluntary Work (*Contact us for activity booking form)

Tel No: 088-246955 Email: [email protected]

All donations made to the Society are exempted from tax under Subsection 44(6) of Income Tax Act 1967.