I can’t express my gratitude enough for the dedication and passion of the individuals responsible for the formation of NEST (Nature Education Society) and who have created this wonderful program in collaboration with Taman Tugu, to bring us Nature U as a community education initiative.

“Many years of Nature campaigns to create awareness is gaining significant grounds as it has become somewhat popular, at least as a concept, amongst the population as with the public & private sectors, to do better for Nature. However, it is not always easy to broadly translate good intentions into good actions or culture.

Change for Nature is, on the surface, about making everyday life style changes that are beneficial for Nature such as to reduce the use of disposable plastic water bottles, plastic shopping bags or straws, etc. This naturally is all good and necessary.

As such, Nature Education Society (NEST est. 2017) has started to collaborate with retired & active lecturers/speakers from Universities, National Agencies and Nature Advocates to deliver the opportunities and the platforms for interested individuals to learn a little bit more about some educational & entertaining aspects of our Nature.

..because the more we learn, the more we appreciate.

In so doing, NEST hopes to help foster a changing personal worldview to further hold in higher regard, humanities

dependence and responsibilities towards Nature.

..because changing personal worldviews, changes everything.

Love & Caring for Life & Nature starts at home and in the family. As such, NEST encourages involvement for the young and the forever young at heart or even better, as a family unit.

.because it’s fun to do things together whilst we can…”

The Lecturers & NEST together create or customize existing modules to suit and interest the participants. Examples of modules are:-

(a.) Living Soil – All we need to know about soil (b.) Water for Life – Why clean water is important (c.) Flora/Fauna, The Life’s Factory – Forest Ecology (d.) “Doctor” Nature – Forest Therapy

(e.) Under the Sea – The ocean and marine life

(f.) The Air We Breathe – Why clean air is important (g.) Sustainable Food Production – From farm to table

(h.) PERHILITAN – Who are they and what they do

(i.) Recycle for Better Earth – Dry and wet waste management

(j.) ‘Shoot’ Me If You Can – Bird photography as a hobby

(k.) Our ‘Creepy Crawly’ Friends – All about insects

(l.) Wings Of Life – Study of Birds and Bird Watching as a hobby

So far, my 15-year old son, and my 82-year-old mom, have successfully completed the first semester of this wonderful program (from July to September) culminating with an Education trip to Taiping Zoo to learn about zoo management and animal husbandry. All-in-all, a wonderful and educational experience! Anyone and everyone interested can join this program. Currently, our homeschooling group gather on two Mondays every month for hands-on activities as well as more serious lectures by lecturers from local universities. Imagine a lecture hall filled by students from 8 years old to 82! And the wonderful thing about this unique program is, apart from it being extremely affordable due to its community-centered approach, that it is inclusive, multi-racial and has a good vision – not only to nurture nature-lovers but to also empower them to give back to Nature. A worthwhile cause that each and every citizen of the earth need to be an active pursuer of.

We have just started on our 2nd semester today, and seeing all the excited and happy faces here at Taman Tugu, we are confident that the next 3 months will be filled with just as much fun and nature-focused activities! If you are interested to participate in this program, do contact Puan Liza at +60 12-201 5675.