Junior Wildlife Ranger Outing @ Bako National Park

Junior Wildlife Ranger Outing  at Bako National Park , 5th -6th May 2012  commemorating the park's 55th Anniversary Celebration.

Bako National Park Outing was filled with excitement for the young rangers. The journey begins with a 45 minutes boat ride from the terminal to the Park Headquarters. For many, this is the first time that they have experience boat ride. They were then mesmerised by the view of the iconic ‘Sea stack’ which is a sand stone formation. 

It was adrenaline rush for the rangers as they have to jump out from the boat to proceed to the Park Headquarters. The experience of getting wet and walking up to the beach with their bags was indeed a new experience for most of them. As it was a low tide when we arrived at Bako National Park , they saw crabs and their holes, tiny sand balls, sea shells and jellyfish lying on the sandy beach.

 

After a welcoming briefing by the Park Manager , the Junior Wildlife Rangers checked in to the hostel. They  then proceed to Teluk Assam Beach to learn about the geomorphologic features or in simple word ‘rock’ with Mr. Oswald Braken Tisen. The rangers were taught about the sandstone that was made from harden sand deposited for period of time. The beautiful layers of sandstone at Teluk Assam took million years to develop. The sandstone has different features due to weathering effect, chemical reaction and sea waves.

After lunch, the kids went for an educational trekking to the various types of forest namely beach, mangrove, cliffs and ‘padang’ on the way to Lintang Trail. Here, the kids were able to look at various flora and fauna at different vegetation. The kids were required to record and take pictures about the various animal and plant that they found along the walk. They also collect some specimen of varieties of leaves, soil and etc. for the group assignment. After a tiring trekking session, the kids then relax with the stunning view of sun set at the beach.  

In the evening, the kids were eager to start their group assignment of creating a poster about what they learned in Bako. In this session, the kids were given freedom to create their master piece on a manila card using the collected specimen. The kids worked very hard to create their drawings.

 

 

In the next morning, the session begins with beach walking and aerobic session. The kids were lucky as the wild boar and proboscis monkey were seen during this session. The kids then join the famous ‘poco-poco’ exercise. 

Next, the rangers help to plant some ‘Rhu Laut’ in conjunction with Bako 55^th anniversary celebration and went for a short walk at the peat swamp forest at Ulu Assam Trail. Later, the rangers presented their group assignment in front of friends and facilitators. The session ended with a prize giving ceremony.   

Bako is filled with a lot of unforgettable trilling experience for the rangers.

For more photos, please refer to Page : Session @ Bako 5^th-6^th May 2012

Camping in Gunung Gading National Park

 It was the first camping experience for the rangers. The two days one night camping was held in Gunung Gading National Park. It was a great opportunity for the rangers to explore more about the natural environment. The rangers explored the Mixed Dipterocarp Forest in Gunung Gading NP and the Beach Forest at Siar Beach with the facilitators.

 

It is important for the rangers to use their senses such as sight, hearings, touch and smell so that they have greater understanding about both of the forest type. At the beach, the students also got their chance to display their creativity by drawing the beach. Back in the classroom, they will share it with their facilitators & friend about the Beach Forest.

In addition, the students also being expose to the introduction topic of flora and fauna. During the flora session, the rangers get to perform the ‘wayang kulit’ about the development of seed to a tree. In fauna session the rangers get to identify the animals that can be found here in Borneo.

 
A trip in Gading would not be complete without trekking to the Rafflesia site. Although there was no flowering blooming, the children got the chance to explore see the 7 months old buds waiting to be bloom in a month. The rangers get to know more about the life cycle as a parasitic gigantic flower!

 For more pictures, please refer to the Page : Camping @ Gunung Gading National Park

Quartely Overnight Gathering @ Gunung Gading National Park

Dear JWL Rangers & Parents,

Please to announced that  The Junior Wildlife Ranger will be organizing our quarterly ( overnight  gathering )as follows;

Date : 2^nd – 3^rd July , 2011   ( Saturday / Sunday  )

Day : Saturday / Sunday  

Time : 0900 -1500

Venue :  Gunung Gading National Park

As we will be doing overnight and outdoor activities , please ensure that you/ your child brings extra clothing , plate , fork & spoon, cup and sleeping gear .  For those who needs transportation and staying around Kuching Area , we will be gathering at TRTTC on the 2^nd Saturday July 0730 am . Appreciate it very much for parents to be punctual when you send your kids. ( unless you are staying in Bau / Lundu area  you may proceed direct to GGNP and please indicate this in the attendance form ) As the transport is limited ,we will be doing car pooling.

We shall be at TRTTC latest by 300pm on the 3^rd July , Sunday for you to pick up your children.

Looking forward for your participation .

Sama Jaya Nature Reserve

About Sama Jaya Nature Reserve

Sama Jaya Nature Reserve covers an area of approximately 38 hectares and is Sarawak’s first multi-purpose urban forest park. Situated within Kuching’s city limits in the suburb of Tabuan Jaya, 10-15 minute drive from Kuching City Centre and can be reached by taxi and bus. Sama Jaya Nature Reserve consists mostly of Kerangas Forest and provides a valuable green lung for the city, educational and recreational facilities for its people and an important refuge for urban wildlife.

Sama Jaya Nature Reserve occupies part of the former Stutong Protected Forest, one of the oldest protected areas in Sarawak, constituted in 1950. Part of the Protected Forest was gazette as a nature reserve in 2000. The nature reserve is designed to provide an authentic urban wilderness with all its facilities and activities integrated into the natural forest environment.

Sama Jaya Nature Reserve is Sarawak Forest Department’s first urban forestry project. Its   primary objectives are to promote multiple use of forest through encouraging outdoor recreation, nature conservation education and nature-based tourism; create a reserve a ‘green island’ for Kuching city.

Despite its suburban location, Sama Jaya Nature Reserve is a rich reservoir of indigenous wildlife with a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. These include monkey, squirrel, rat, fruit bats, tarsiers, variety birds’ species, lizard, tortoise and frogs.

Recreation activities such as jogging and walking at two jogging tracks and fitness trail that helps to promote path of healthy living. In addition, the visitors can also visit Japanese Garden, Timber and Bamboo Museum, Forest Biology Museum and Ethnobotanical Garden.

2nd Session @ Sama Jaya Nature Reserve

Learning about the forest type

This session introduce the kids to the varieties of forest in Sarawak namely Beach Forest, Mangrove Forest, Peat Swamp Forest, Heath Forest or Kerangas Forest, Riverine Forest, Mixed Dipterocarp Forest, Montane Forest & Lime stone forest. Each forest is different due to three main explanations namely type of soil, climate and topography.

The kids learning the layer of Mixed Dipterocarp Forest (MDF)

In addition, the kids also gain introductory knowledge about the Sarawak’s forest that is zoned as the Permanent Forest Reserve (PFR) and Totally Protected Area (TPA). Based on the Forests Ordinance 1958, PFR is meant for sustainable forest management. There are 3 categories of PFR namely Forest Reserve, Protected Forest and Communal Forest.

The Totally Protected Area conversely is designated and established under the provisions of the National Parks Ordinance, 1956 and Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1958 to generate sustainable benefits for the society. Their roles include conservation, preservation and protection of diverse biodiversity, specific natural geological or physiographical features or archeological site on land and in areas beneath the territorial waters of the State land for recreational, educational and affording opportunities for public appreciation, enjoyment, interest. There are also three categories of TPA namely National Parks, Nature Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

At the end of the session, the kids get the opportunity to explore the Heath or Kerangas Forest in the Malaysiana Trail at Sama Jaya Nature Reserve. Kerangas is an Iban word which implies poor soils & dry. Trees are small, straight & pole like. Height is from 25-30m. The under storey is fairly dense where small shrubs, saplings & palms grow in. Trees have thick bark & small leathery leaves to cut down water loss. Small mammals, squirrel, rat, birds, insects can also be found in this forest.

One of the facilitator explaining about Kerangas Forest

To end the session, the kids also get the opportunity to visit the Bamboo and the

Forest Biology Museum in Samajaya Nature Reserves.

For more photos, please refer to Page :http://juniorwildliferanger.blogspot.com/p/matang-wlc-facilitator-in-action.html

Matang Wildlife Centre

About Matang Wildlife Centre  

Matang Wildlife Centre was established on 25^th of July 1998 by the government as a centre of excellent somewhere that could rehabilitate endangered species before releasing them back to the wild. It is situated at western corner of Kubah National Park which covered the area of 179 ha. Matang, consist of Lowland Forest and Kerangas Forest with some swampy Kerangas Forest.

The objective of MWC establishment is to rehabilitate the confiscated animals and centre for wildlife conservation. Its roles and function are mainly for conservation, research and recreational.

The activities in MWC are jungle trekking to Animal Enclosure Trail, Special Trail, Sungai Sendok Waterfall Trail, and Rayu Trail and having picnic activities at the picnic spot area.

Visitors can stay overnight at the accommodation facilities and camp sites area to enjoy and experience the nature and night creature sounds.

The 1st session

1st session Kick Off

It was "Hello & Welcome" at Matang Wildlife Centre when Junior Wildlife Ranger begins its first session on March 12th, Saturday. A total 38 participants attended the first gathering that was conducted by 9 facilitators namely Lawrence Blon, Braken, Francis Gombek, Bistari, Chirstopher, Vincent, Emel, Fedilina & Yusnani.

A group snapshot

The first session kick off with ice-breaking session that was full of laughter and presentation of few topics namely Introduction to Junior Wildlife Ranger, Careers in Forestry and Codes of conduct. This introduction session is crucial to share with the youngster what Junior Wildlife Ranger is all about and hopefully able to attracts them to join in.

The children then had the opportunity to sang the 'Lagu Junior Wildlife Ranger' and reading out the 'Ikrar Junior Wildlife Ranger'.

The facilitators then bring the children out to see the animals in the enclosures. They get the opportunity to meet the crocodiles, hornbills, orangutan, sun bear, gibbon and many more.