Happy World Environment Day 2010, 5th June.

Dear Members,

Happy World Environment Day 2010, 5^th June.

We join the world in marking this annual occasion with resolve and as a reminder that the quest for environmental protection and awareness is an everyday issue.

MNS members can stand proud of the different activities and events that MNS has lined up for World Environment Day 2010 that will help further our mission and objective to promote the study, appreciation, conservation and protection of Malaysia’s natural heritage. With a supportive membership and responsible corporate supporters such as The Body Shop (West Malaysia), IKEA and HSBC, we can make a difference.

Here’s the list of events and activities that you, your friends and family members can join in to celebrate our diversity.

1. 3^rd to  6^th June 2010 - Eco Week Event with the Selangor State Exco held in 1 Utama. MNS Selangor Branch Bird Group and Kuala Selangor Nature Park staff will be manning a booth to promote conservation and awareness. Come drop by and meet us.

2. 4^th June 2010 - Mangrove Tree Planting with IKEA at Kuala Selangor Nature Park

By invitation only but members are more than welcome to visit the park and enjoy its birds, mangrove forests and the amazing fireflies. This tree-planting initiative is part of the on-going IKEA Love The Earth campaign, a joint collaboration to reduce the usage of plastic bags and to take affirmative action in planting and maintaining mangrove trees as one activity to help curb the effects of climate change. Members and friends are encouraged to visit www.mns.my and click on the IKEA icon or visitwww.IKEA.com.my to find out more about the on-going sustainable efforts and support their bold move to do away with plastic bags.   

Since June 2009, IKEA has discontinued free distribution of plastic bags to raise awareness of its pollution to the environment and to encourage the act of recycling. In conjunction of World Environment Day on 5^th June 2010, IKEA encourages the use of reusable bags whenever you shop, so they are giving you a free reusable BRATTBY bag* with your purchase.

* One bag per receipt. Valid with any purchase, except IKEA F&B areas.

3. 5^th June 2010 - MNS (Selangor Branch) Open Day at Taman Lembah Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. All are invited to attend and take part in activities for adults and children alike. Activities such as guided walks, crafts, exhibition booths and more. For details, please visit http://www.mns.my/artstate.php?aid=590

4. Until 5^th June - Save Temengor Campaign Pledge. MNS is trying to get the Temengor Forest Reserve gazetted as part of the Royal Belum State Park or an equivalent protective status from logging, poaching and land use change. Please sign the pledge books in any The Body Shop stores in Peninsular Malaysia or sign online at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/savetemengor2010    

Lastly, we would also like to encourage you to sign up your friends and family members with MNS as it celebrates nature in its 70^th year as a conservation group. Our collective voice can make a difference in our mission to conserve and protect our precious biodiversity.   

Warm regards,

Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor

President   

Malaysian Nature Society

Chairman's address

This year, the MNS-Kuching Branch celebrates its 13th year in Sarawak, and in 2010, MNS the national society, will celebrate its 70th year in Malaysia.

As an organization dedicated to nature conservation in Malaysia, MNS has many comparative advantages, foremost of which are:
• It is an independent, non-partisan entity;
• It is a membership-based organization, which draws support from all levels of society;
• It has a long history and track record in Malaysia, with many tangible results to show for it; and
• It has a clear mission, demonstrated through its actions and programmes.

In our 13-year journey in Sarawak, we have made use of these comparative advantages to introduce, develop and demonstrate innovative ideas and approaches to conservation and development challenges, such as through our “Trees for Life” Community Project with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, which offers an opportunity for the Kuching community to get involved in nature conservation efforts at the Sama Jaya Nature Reserve.

We have formed strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations to organize events to raise awareness about the wonders of Sarawak’s natural heritage, such as our annual Bird Race in Borneo Highlands.

Through the Bako-Buntal Bay project, we aim to serve as a bridge between Sarawak and the global nature conservation community

In some instances, we have broken new ground and led the way for others to follow; we were the first MNS branch in Malaysia to develop a branch-level Strategic Plan. Our “Trees for Life” and the Bako-Buntal Bay projects have offered new and innovative ways for people from all walks of life to get involved in nature conservation efforts.

It has been a truly rewarding and fulfilling experience for me to have had the opportunity to work with the committed, enthusiastic and dedicated bunch of people in the committee these past two years. I would also like to thank the members who have volunteered their time and energy to assist with our work this past year and the years before. To those of you whom we have called on for advice and assistance on specific tasks and projects, thank you for saying ‘yes’ and for being there when we needed you.

Margaret Mead said, and I quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”.

Here at the Kuching Branch, we may not be many in terms of numbers, but by working together smartly and efficiently, we have been able to ensure that the branch continues to grow in the right direction. I truly believe that the Kuching Branch is today one of the best MNS branches in Malaysia for what we have been able to achieve.
I am confident that if we work together and continue to grow the way we have, we are on track to be the leading nature conservation organization in Sarawak. Not bad for a 13-year old!