SANDAKAN (July 27): Forty-one youths participated in the 28th edition of the EERace (Environmental Education Race) course (second edition) from July 22 to 27.
The participants aged between 21 and 40 years old, include teachers and representatives from agencies involved in environmental education and conservation.
The main base of the course was at the scenic Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok, Sandakan.
It was jointly organized by members of the Sabah Environmental Education Network (SEEN), which includes the Sabah Forestry Department, the Sabah State Education Department, the Sabah Wildlife Department, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), the Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC), Seratu Aatai, and the Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project (HUTAN).
This course was conducted in collaboration with agencies such as the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS), IOI Plantation Services Sdn Bhd, Megamas Plywood Sdn Bhd, Eco Material Sdn Bhd, Wild Asia Sdn Bhd, Borneo Samudera Sdn Bhd, the Mukim Batu Puteh Kinabatangan Tourism Cooperative (KOPEL), Kampung Baru and Kampung Asam Manis Pulau Timbang, Sandakan.
EERace is a unique environmental education programme under the Sabah Forestry Department’s Heart of Borneo Initiative, initially designed for teachers in 2005. However, the course has been adapted to cater to various target participants.
Since 2006, more than 750 teachers and over 120 environmental education practitioners have been successfully trained.
The RDC and SEEN members have organized 28 EERace courses (including three simulations) which have been strengthened to emphasize various conservation initiatives in Sabah.
Like other EERaces, EERace 28 adopted a race concept, reminiscent of the popular show “The Amazing Race,” to facilitate experiential learning about the environment. Participants were divided into six groups, each tasked with three different assignments related to the theme. Approximately 70% of the course was conducted in the field, ensuring practical and participant-centred learning experiences. Later, all findings from a total of 18 assignments were presented using Microsoft PowerPoint to one another, and a judging panel evaluated each presentation to determine the winning EERace group.
In the closing speech, Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan envisioned that the EERace will cultivate a generation with heightened awareness and a strong sense of responsibility for environmental conservation. His speech was delivered by the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (R&D), Dr Arthur Chung.
Source: Borneo Post Online
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