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Calendar For Sep-Oct 2001

September

National AGM at Bako National Park, Sarawak  6-12 September 2001
National AGM will be held in Kuching, Sarawak this year. Various exciting activities will be organize like overnight trip to Bako National Park, Gunung Gading National Park, Matang Wildlife Centre, Kubah National Park as well as overnight trip to the Longhouse and the Island. Experience for yourself the wonder of nature where you will have countless opportunities to observe the various wildlife of Sarawak and also observe a unique way of life and enjoy legendary Dayak hospitality in the Longhouse.

Children’s Nature Camp – Papan  Sat- Sun 15-16 September 2001
Time & Meeting Place: Contact coordinator
Coordinator: Lee Yuat Wah

The response has been over-whelming!!  All 55 places have been filled. Thank you for your wonderful support. Volunteers who have signed up please contact the coordinator for instructions and help with registration.

Gunung Panjang, Tambun  Sun 16 September 2001
Geological and Archeological Interpretations
Time & Meeting Place: 8.30am sharp, IGB Plaza
Coordinator: Ramli Mohd Osman

Participants will be briefed on the geological history of the marble hill that stretches back in time from the Paleozoic Era to the Present. An account will also be given on the mode of mineralization of hematite (iron ore) that occurs in the marble. A visit to an abandon iron mine nearby will be made.  Gunung Panjang is also noted for its prehistoric rock paintings. An archeological interpretation of the site basing on the rock paintings and food remains will be briefed. Before visiting these sites there will be an exercise on identification of rock and mineral that are found in the area.

Members’ Night – Slideshow & Snacks  Sat 22 September 2001
Time & Place: 8.30pm, YMCA
Coordinator: Editorial Team

Mah King Wah will be presenting a slideshow on his recent trip to the Indian Himalayans.  The show will cover parts of picturesque Northern India and will feature the hill resort of Himachal Pradash situated on the Indian side of the Himalayans. If time permits, a re-run slideshow of the ever popular Silk Road will be conducted.  Light snacks will be served after the show, so don’t tax your digestive system by rushing thru’ dinner.

Egypt Tour – Red Sea & Cairo Fri-Mon 23 Sept – 5 Oct 2001
Time & Place: Please contact Coordinator
Coordinator: MNS Selangor Branch (019-3115359)
 http://www.members.tripod.com/mnsmarine/

This is a trip to Historical Red Sea, Luxor & Cairo. The trip is especially for those interested to see one of the seven wonders of the world, the Great Pyramids of Giza and a visit to the legendary Red Sea with its excellent visibility & extraordinary marine life.  All overland trips will be guided.  Full itinerary is available upon request!
DIVERS: 2N/2D Liveaboard trip with meals, 3N/4D 5 star cruise and a 3N/4D stay in Cairo city at only RM6,280-00.
NON-DIVERS: 3N/4D stay on the Red Sea coast with accommodation, cruise and stay in Cairo city at only RM5,350-00.

Visit to Ostrich & Deer Farm, Sg Siput
Date:  30th Sept 2001
Time:  9.00 am
Trip Leader:  Liew Chin Chow (012-5180159)/Krystle (012-5010933)
Meeting Place:  For those who are unfamiliar - 8.00am at the IGB Plaza, Ipoh For those who are familiar - 8.30am under the overhead pipeline, Blue Circle Cement Factory, Sg Siput
Admission:  Members :Free
                  Non-Members: RM3-00
Transport: Participants should carpool & share expenses
Attire: Comfortable apparell with good walking shoes, hat/cap
Food:  Bring your own drinking water & have a good breakfast.  The tour should end by lunchtime.

This trip is also suitable for children as the farm is accessible & well-paved.  The tour will be guided by the officers in charge and visitors can experience the farming of ostriches & deer for commercial purposes.

October

LA21 Trans Boundary Treasure Hunt Fri-Sun 5-7 October
PJ – Parit Buntar – Bukit Merah Laketown Resort
Time & Place for Registration: 7.30pm, Dewan Sivik, MPPJ, PJ New Town
Coordinator: MNS HQ
Closing Date: 21 September, 2001

Local Agenda 21 (LA21) is a programme of action towards achieving sustainable development.  The Hunt is organised to gain active participation of stakeholders (organisations/people with vested interest) and to introduce LA 21 sites in Kerian & PJ.  This Hunt will also raise funds for the MNS Education Fund and the Perak Palliative Care Society welfare fund.
Fees:   RM700-00 per car (either 4 adults or 2 adults & children below 17) which include:-
 - One night stay at the Bukit Merah Laketown Resort (BMLR)
 - Morning Pre-Flag Off Refreshment
 - Gala Dinner & Breakfast at BMLR
 - Trip to Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Perak
 - Hunt T-shirts and Caps
 - Gift Bags and Door Gifts
Prizes: First Cash & Prizes worth RM10,000-00
 Second Cash & Prizes worth RM7,000-00
 Third Cash & Prizes worth RM3,500-00
 Fourth Cash & Prizes worth RM2,000-00
 Fifth Prizes worth RM1,000-00
 Consolation, Lucky Draw & Table Prizes

Contact: Liani Alymann 03-2592331
 Caroline Sheila 03-22879422
 Clifford Clement 03-21694380
 Alex Toong  012-3839838

Raptor Watch Taiping Sunday 7 October
Time & Place: 9.00am, HSBC Taiping Parking Lot
Coordinator: KC Lim /Swee Yian

This event is organised as part of MNS efforts in the BirdLife event "World Bird Festival" which aims to promote public awareness of nature through the joys of birdwatching. Those interested to join in but are not sure how to get to the site can assemble at the Hongkong Bank, Taiping parking lot. This is at the end of Jalan Simpang, after the traffic lights at a bridge. We will proceed from here to the site at 8.45 am sharp. Please contact Lim Kim Chye/Lim Swee Yian at 05-8074671 if you need further details.

Members’ Night – Slideshow & Briefing on PAKAS Sat 13 October
Time & Place: 8.30pm, YMCA Ipoh
Coordinator: Ng Kit Wan

This will serve as a pre-trip briefing to the trip to Kg Endah, Selangor planned for 20-21 Oct. An officer from PAKAS or HQ will be invited to give a talk/slide show on the Environmental Awareness Activity Centre (PAKAS), Kg. Endah, Banting, Selangor D.E. project. Trip participants are advised to attend as the meeting place and departure time will be announced.

Family trip to Kg Endah, Banting, Selangor DE Sat-Sun 20-21 October
Time & Place: Please contact coordinator
Coordinator: Ng Kit Wan (H/P 019-5439-647)
PLEASE CONFIRM BY PAYMENT TO TRIP COORDINATOR BEFORE 30 SEPTEMBER 2001

Spend a weekend frolicking in the mangrove forest and getting acquainted with the denizens of a rustic hollow. Kg. Endah is home to a novel environmental education community project. So come and experience firsthand how man and nature have been cohabitating peacefully for the past few decades in this rural neighbourhood.
Activities include: sessions on astronomy, traditional crab catching, birdwatching, trekking through a nipah swamp, studying of life in a coastal habitat and beach combing. Be prepared to get muddy and wet. You will also be entertained with an interesting repertoire on the use of the herbs and plants that grow in abundance.
No. of places available : 40 (not suitable for children below 6 yrs)
Accommodation: Dormitory (bring your own pillow case & bedsheet/sleeping bag)with bathing facilities. A campsite is available (bring your own tent)
Transportation: Chartered bus
Programme & bus fees : RM70.00
Meals: Provided (dinner/BBQ, Breakfast, lunch)
Things to bring along: Drinking water, sandals/slippers, trekking shoes, binoculars, insect repellent (NO Baygon please!!!), hat, raincoat, toiletries.

Mini Bird Race at the Kuala Selangor Nature Park Sat-Sun 20-21 October
Time & Place: Please contact coordinator
Coordinator: KC Lim/Lim Phaik Imm

The Milky Storks in KSNP need our support. Please refer to "The Milky Stork Saga" below for the full story.
Registration: RM 60.00 per team (3 persons to a team) and receive a T-shirt and an opportunity to win a prize.
Accommodation & meals: PACKAGE A 3- person chalet, with dinner and breakfast @ RM70.00 per person
  PACKAGE B A-frame, with dinner and breakfast @ RM50.00 per person.
  PACKAGE C Dormitory, with dinner and breakfast @ RM 40.00 per person.
PACKAGE D Tent, with dinner and breakfast @ RM 35.00 per person.
  PACKAGE E Own accommodation(tents) but meals supplied @ RM30.00 per person.
Donations: We welcome donations from sympathetic friends and supporters. Make out a crossed cheque payable to " Lim Aun Tiah" and post it to No. 7 Jalan Seputeh 6, Taman Seputeh, 58000 Kuala Lumpur. A list of donors and the amount donated, will be circulated to every donor to ensure that every ringgit donated is fully accounted for. If you wish to claim tax exemption for your donation, please provide your full name and address. A tax- exempt receipt will be posted to you. As at 9 August, a total of RM400.00 in cash has been collected. We hope more members and their friends will come forward with donations. On Sunday 8.30am , 21 October, donors who turn up will be invited to follow our nature guides for a guided tour of KSNP.