We set up our Nature Clubs to inspire and empower young people to protect the environment for themselves and future generations. We create exciting new ways for young people to learn about the forest and its amazing wildlife, increase their conservation awareness and get involved in protecting their environment. – and to gain confidence, make friends and have fun!
We run two Nature Clubs which target different age groups:
Children of Sebangau
Our Children of Sebangau Nature Club was created for children 8 to 12 years old from the village of Kereng Bangkirai, some of whom are not able to attend school. We run a creative programme of activities based on a different theme each month; the forests and wildlife of Borneo, the concepts of conservation and environmental protection, and their Dayak cultural heritage.
We organise field trips to Sebangau National Park peat-swamp forest, and places of interest such as BOS Foundation Orangutan Rehabilitation and Reintroduction Centre, and the local indigenous cultural museum. These excursions motivate the children, bringing nature alive and engendering pride in their culture.
We are developing a children’s library and offer tutoring (including reading, writing and maths) in small groups so the children can gain a stronger grasp of environmental concepts and develop confidence in literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving in a collaborative learning environment. We encourage a healthy lifestyle by providing fruit each day, and provide Dayak dancing lessons each week to promote the preservation of indigenous culture through young people.
Each year we organise a festival in the village of Kereng Bangkirai to celebrate the children’s achievements, present Children of Sebangau Nature Club activities to parents and the local community, and encourage more children to join. The children prepare art and photo exhibitions, and perform songs, dances and theatre related to what they have learnt.
Established in 2019, Sebangau Rangers are a group of teenagers from Kereng Bangkirai who have been selected to become Ambassadors for the forest, and to act as role models and inspire others. They are passionate about the forest and committed to working with their community to raise awareness of the threats to the forest and how the community can help protect it.
They were active throughout the fire season in 2019, organising meetings in Kereng to explain the risks to health posed by the haze and how communities can help prevent fires in the future.
Their dedication and motivation inspire hope for the future of locally-led conservation in Sebangau Sub-district.
Nature Clubs impacts and activities