Hi Everybody,
As you would have noticed in the last issue of the branch newsletter it has undergone a slight change. The committee has also agreed to a suggestion to change the name of our newsletter to Perak Nature to better reflect the state’s rich bio-diversity and our efforts in conserving it.
The MNS Perak Branch office is finally taking shape. All of you are welcome to browse around the office especially on Saturday and Sunday when we put together a duty roster to man the office. As it is near my house would be there most of the time or least within walking distance. To be fully functional we need some furniture and some office equipment so if your office is contemplating disposing off some of the furniture (modular partitions, tables, chairs, steel filing cabinets, etc.) please donate them to the branch. Give me a call anytime after 6.00 p.m. An anonymous donor has given us an old Pentium 100 but it will be sufficient for most of our work.
The Flora Group will start with a walkabout talk on gesneriads and other exotic plants by Mr. Leong Tuck Lock, an old friend and classmate of mine whose experience and knowledge on plants, especially on orchids, gesneriads, bromeliads and passiflora is astounding and has earned my respect as a sifu (master) few will dare challenge. A member of the American Gesneriad and Gloxinia Society he has earned honors in plant-breeding especially gesneriad hybrids. His father who passed away recently was on the committee of the Perak Orchid Society and the Orchid Exchange Club. Now that he has taken optional retirement I hope he will impart his wide and rare knowledge on plants to all MNS members who are interested.
In early March, two gesneriphiles (gesneriad enthisiasts) from the AGGS, Maryjane Evans and Jean Katzenstein from Newark, New Jersey came to see our Old World gesneriads. These two energetic grandmothers were taken by Tuck Lock to gesneriad spots around Ipoh, Bukit Larut, Fraser Hill and the Cameron Highlands and were they happy with this 7-day trip. They are back in the States but promised to come back for more and they would bring more members. Well eco-tourism certainly has a long and promising future as the Americans found our infrastructure, hospitality and natural heritage first class and very affordable for them.
Our Children Nature Camp will be held in Papan again although there was a proposal tochange the venue to Ulu Kenas which is fully booked until August. This is a very happy note indeed that nature appreciation among school children (thanks to the teachers) is now wide-spread and catching on. There seems to be greater hope for our fast diminishing natural heritage with the greater awareness of nature.
Our Perak birders have done us proud by volunteering their time and knowledge and showing to the general public the fun of being a naturalist during the Raptors Watch Week. The organisers praised our volunteers for their generosity, selflessness and energetic work which helped to rope new members and public interest in our cause.
The Royal Perak Golf Club has invited us to initiate a program to introduce other activities to the club members especially birding to those who may not play the game. While some may have reservations on the MNS participation in a golf course’s activities I feel that that it should be accepted free of any doubts as the committee will certainly be at the forefront to monitor it.
Love Life. Love Nature.
Cheaw Hon Ming
1 May 2000