RCE Penang - 2022

ESD Activities for Rehabilitating Mangrove Forests in Cooperation with Local Communities at Merbok Mangrove Reserve, Kedah
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
ESD Activities for Rehabilitating Mangrove Forests in Cooperation with Local Communities at Merbok Mangrove Reserve, Kedah
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Penang
Contributing organization(s) : 
School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Japan Malaysia Association, Keindaren Nature and Conservation, Kinoshita Group, Kedah Forestry Department, Kelab Puncak, Sungai Petani Municipal Office, SK Haji Omar Tahir, Community of Kg. Sungai Batu Besi, Merbok and Green Educators Work Group (GREW)
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Assoc Prof. Dr. Rabiatul-Adawiah Ahmad Rashid
Organizational Affiliation: 
School of Educational Studies
E-mail: 
r_adawiah@usm.my
Name: 
Dr. Japareng Lalung
Organizational Affiliation: 
School of Educational Studies
E-mail: 
japareng@usm.my
Format of project: 
Powerpoint
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Update
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Malaysia
Location(s): 
Penang
Address of focal point institution for project: 
RCE Penang,
Centre for Global Sustainability Studies
Level 5, Hamzah Sendut Library
11800 USM,
Penang Malaysia
Ecosystem(s):
Coastal, Forest, Wetlands
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Primary, Secondary, Youth (Informal)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The mangrove area is located at the estuary of Merbok river in Kedah in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia.
The communities in the area are primarily fishermen, including the oyster farmer. The mangrove functions as a spawning zone for fish and marine life. However, the mangrove coverage has been declining over the years.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
The mangrove area has been declining due to deforestation. The declining mangrove area threatens the fish spawning zone and has also affected fish stock and fisherman's livelihood. Replanting is required.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
April, 2018 to April, 2023
Rationale: 
This project has been conducted to increase the mangrove coverage in the area and educate the local stakeholders and community on its importance so that they can be involved in its protection.

In conjunction with RCE's role in extending sustainability projects with communities, a joint project has been proposed to develop the ESD for a sustainable rehabilitation program of mangrove forests at Merbok. The project is a collaborative project between the School of Educational Studies, USM and RCE Penang, CGSS, Kuala Muda District and Land Office, Sungai Petani Municipal Council, sponsored by the Japan Malaysia Association. Its main aim was to develop Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve as a centre for education and research on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in cooperation with local communities. Part of this project was the reforestation activities mobilised in June 2018 with the community and others from Kampung Sungai Batu Besi, Merbok, Kedah. In addition, other collaborative activities have also been done with stakeholders, including community engagement programs.
Objectives: 
•To inculcate environmental care through hands-on mangrove activities
•To introduce the concept of ESD through hands-on mangrove activities
• To introduce human-mangrove dependency in school children activities via STREAM
• To establish mangrove reforestation activities
• To establish a Mangrove Gallery at SK Haji Omar Tahir as an educational space in the mangrove forest.
• To spread awareness on mangrove forests to school communities by appointing spokespersons or Ambassador of Mangrove Gallery at SK Haji Omar Tahir
Activities and/or practices employed: 
•Reforestation activities at mangrove degraded sites with the participation of the local community.
•Establish a mangrove seedling nursery as stock for mangrove reforestation sites.
•As a platform to train local the community in silviculture and tree care and other relevant skills.
•Using mangrove reforestation activities as an educational tool for the local school children, universities and the public to learn about mangrove ecosystem and conservation.
•As an outreach and awareness program to visitors and the public.
•The prepared program, which is community-based, aims to instil awareness and enhance knowledge in the target groups, consisting of various backgrounds about mangrove forests.
•As for educational facilities, a gallery on mangroves and aquatic life and animals will be set up at the school.
•As for educational activities, fun activities involving kids, school children and university communities will be organised, such as mangrove replanting programs, camps, outdoor classroom programs, small projects & modules on science and various platforms.
Size of academic audience: 
More than 500 people
Results: 
Currently, the project is at the stage of fiscal year 4, which are:
•modules, brochure, booklet on mangrove ecosystem publish
•mangrove reforestation activities at Compartment 11
•develop a mangrove gallery at school for the local community at Merbok, Kedah
•to hold seminars/conferences on mangroves with stakeholders
Lessons learned: 
This program provides communities with collaboration opportunities by sharing and exchanging ideas on education on the mangrove ecosystem.
Key messages: 
We are using mangrove reforestation activities as an educational tool for the local school children, universities and the public to learn about mangrove ecosystem and conservation.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
Inter-RCE program: RCE Tongyeong was involved in the replanting activities in January 2020.
Funding: 
Funding is from Japan Malaysia Association, Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund – and Kinoshita Group Japan

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon IMG_20200118_112124.jpg (673.36 KB) Replanting activities by RCE Tongyeong RCE Penang
Image icon IMG_20200118_111542.jpg (552.11 KB) Mangrove seedlings to be planted RCE Penang
Image icon ALIM2003.JPG (1.61 MB) Briefing session on mangrove ecosystem RCE Penang
Image icon ALIM2092.JPG (1.97 MB) Mangrove camp activities RCE Penang
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Direct
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Direct
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Indirect
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Indirect
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Indirect
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Direct
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Indirect
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Direct
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
Indirect
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Disaster Risk Reduction 
Indirect
Traditional Knowledge  
Indirect
Agriculture 
Direct
Arts 
Indirect
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Ecotourism 
Direct
Forests/Trees 
Direct
Plants & Animals 
Direct
Waste 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
Yes