Tree Planting Event! More trees more trees!

On the 24th of June 2012, Taylor’s University was once again invited to participate in the tree planting event organized by Shah Alam Tree For Life, and this time it was held at the river banks of Sungai Damansara, Shah Alam! 

*YAY we love trees!*

Early in the morning at the bus station in Taylor’s University, many students arrived early and gathered, awaiting for departure to the tree planting venue. *Everyone's so enthusiastic!*

We arrived there and soon enough, the VIP of the day arrived – the Datuk Bandar of Shah Alam – and he gave a heart-stirring speech about how we are making a change to the environment by volunteering that day and how we should plant the trees correctly so it lives! 

Soon enough, we had a short but effective tutorial on how to plant the tree saplings the right way. We collected our tools and wheelbarrows and made our way to the assigned plots of land. Many students were seen planting the trees quickly but carefully while some other students took the duty of collecting the plastic wraps torn off from the tree saplings or loosening the soil!  

Dr Kambiz posing with a few students!

Two students helping each other out to plant the tree *Ugh it's tough!*

Our president in shades working hard to loosen the soil B-)

A student getting some compost for the plants.

A student *joyfully* carrying some tree saplings to plant. 

Indeed we could observe that there was an impressive amount of teamwork going on! Although there were some hiccups (there wasn’t any compost available to us as first, and the ground was very dry and filled with thorny plants *sobs* ), we successfully planted many trees before the time was up. 

We even took a group photo to commemorate this event! =D

A group photo taken after all that hard work! Phew!

After a simple lunch provided to us, we left the place with a heart full of gratitude, wanting to further contribute to our society and green our city. It was definitely a memorable event where we could do and learn simple things to eventually reduce our carbon footprint. Let's do our part, everyone!

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Firefly Conservation Trip to Kuala Selangor

On the 26th of May 2012, Taylor’s University’s Biosciences Club had planned an event focusing on the conservation of fireflies in the Kuala Selangor region! Many of us were really excited  to see some amazing fireflies! The event included a talk given by Ms. Veronica who is part of a team responsible to protect these insects! 

The talk was given by Ms. Veronica regarding the nature of fireflies, mainly the species Pteroptyx tener and the conservation methods that are currently undergoing to salvage what is left of this species. 

In her talk, she stated that the Selangor River Dam and the natives are the causes of the diminishing numbers of fireflies. The destruction of their habitat, which is the Sonneratia caseolaris plants and the killing of Cyclotropis carinata, which are food for the firefly larva, are the causes of the declining numbers. It was upsetting to many of us to know that there may not be any more fireflies in the future :'(

Upon reaching the venue, the participants were divided into groups of 4 people, since each “sampan” could only hold 4 people at once. It was a quiet ride at first until the boatman started telling us stories about these insects! Expecting a magnificent view, we were quite sad while looking at the abysmal numbers of fireflies that are left blinking in the night...

As we couldn't take a good picture in the dark inside a moving boat, here is a picture from the web! PS: There were waaaaay fewer fireflies than this at that time!

            

The boat ride lasted for roughly 10 minutes and we then gathered at the gate for our bus to arrive. The participants then boarded the bus and we are on our way back to Taylor’s University. 

For this trip, many of us learned and experienced things we could never appreciate before. Most of us had never seen synchronous fireflies in their natural habitat even after reading about them numerous times in books. We constantly talk about species conservation but had never really felt that it is of great importance until we have seen the declining numbers ourselves. After this trip, most of us will strive to do a greater part to help the environment and to keep the world as beautiful and as bright as these magnificent insects.

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