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April 11th 2012
The Green Revolution Club (GRC) team comprised of 25 enthusiastic students from various fields of study from University Malaysia Terengganu who had organized a two day programme with REACH. They were very eager and keen in lending a hand to help the degregated forest of Cameron Highlands.
2.00 pm- They were greeted with an opening briefing about REACH and the Highlands by Carrol, a true nature lover, who shed light on the ongoing work of REACH to help preserve the beautiful mossy forest as an important water catchment and reduce the illegal land clearing.
3,00 pm - Community Stream Investigation (CSI) was the first activity of the day for these excited young varsity students.
The CSI programme was conducted by our Interns Anna and Hannah, from Georg-August-University Goettingen, Germany,
who were assisted by our home grown volunteers, Kesav, Lithia, Elucia and Kalvis,
with Saras and not forgetting little Ritisha who loves CSI too :)
As always, CSI is highly educational and fun. REACH believes that it is a constant learning curve, gathering new data and finding new species of macro-invertebrates every time this study is conducted.
Towards the end of the activity, there was a Q&A session, held none other than the knowledgeable Dr. Liau who started this programme back in 2004.
The CSI leaders and volunteers from their group, were invited to present their findings and analysis to Dr.Liau.
Dr.Liau's questions were challenging as always. Nevertheless, the UMT students were comfortable with his presence as he had lots of valuable information to share and he always used the simplest examples and common sense so that people grasp it with ease.
Day 2 - Reforestation at G.Brinchang
April 12th 2012
7.30 am - The team from UMT had to start early to make their way to the Reforestation Site up in Gunung Brinchang. Despite the fact that they were tired from their sleepless night that was caused by the heavy rain at their campsite, they were very punctual and ready to go.
This activity was facilitated by Amran and Roy, both are homegrown residents of the highlands and have an avid passion for hiking. Interns Anna and Hannah did not miss out as well. The team was divided into two groups, one went up to the reforestation site with Amran and Carrol while the other stayed at the Bio-Diversity Center with Roy to do a clean-up before joining up in the reforestation site.
The team of varsity students had lots of energy. They managed to plant all the saplings that were provided, and in addition to that, managed to fertilize all the plants up there that was in sheer need of nutrients. The reforestation went well and the team had a couple hours of rest before their next activity.
2.30 pm - The team did a hike up to Gunung Berembun. They surely enjoyed themselves and were astonished by the richness of nature up in the highlands. Amran explained about the various plants, moss and orchids they came across. A sad surprise was finding a wild peacock pheasant traped by irresponsible parties. This beautiful bird was released back to the wild. The group did not make it to the peak as it was getting late and there was fear of a heavy downpour.
9.00 pm - The night ended with a de-briefing session of the group. The students shared their experience of the two days and explained what they had gained and that they would really like to support the cause that REACH is fighting for. Carrol and Roy gave a short talk on their experiences and that they should be the change they want to see. The UMT students provided REACH volunteers with souvenirs as their heartfelt appreciation and so did REACH, handing out postcards and posters as a sign of thanksgiving for helping out with the cause.
Amran presenting REACH's Wild Orchids of Cameron Highlands to Fara.
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