‘Bringing the Pleasures of Wild Nature to the City’, was the subject of a conference lecture back in my early professional days. It stuck with me, this ‘Pleasures of Wild Nature’ theme, while observing butterflies, birds, lizards, and bees doing their thing in a bit of greenery in our urban centres.
Contrast green, leafy and shady trees versus surrounding city concrete, glass, and asphalt with sunlight harshly reflected, heating everything up. The eyes and body gravitate to green shades, to drink in its coolness. It’s our human nature to seek it out. No matter where we are, we still would like to touch, see, and smell the organics of nature.
Where to seek out the knowledge and the action to bring these pleasures of wild nature into the city, especially one the size of Kuala Lumpur?
Look no further than the Free Tree Society. Their user-friendly website details the wide range of activities and environmental education they provide.
Learn about nature!
Free Tree Society aims ‘to develop a nation of trained environmental stewards’. You can become one of those stewards, to learn and participate in any of the following programmes:
- Planting workshops including soil mixes, plant propagation and transplanting.
- Nursery management.
- Re-wilding, to bring the pleasures of wild nature into the city.
- Environmental solutions through rainwater harvesting, composting and waste management.
- Free Tree giveaway events.
Jungle walks with Free Tree Society
Free Tree Society also hosts jungle education walks for families at Taman Tugu in the heart of KL. They also do this from their original base in Bangsar. Free Tree Society is mobile as well and bring its programmes to your school, community group and business with the Free Tree Society ‘On the Go’ Van.
There is something for everyone to learn and do in helping Free Tree Society to reconnect, and keep in touch with the pleasures of nature in the city. Just visit the Free Tree Society nurseries and chat to the friendly knowledgeable volunteers and staff. Check out their information boards as well, for fun facts and activities.
Useful info
Malaysian citizens can become a member for RM80 per year. Non-citizens can still sign up for volunteer work and participate in a wide range of activities.
Locations:
- Lot 35813 Jalan Limau Purut, Bangsar. Open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9.30 – 12.30pm and by appointment at other times. You can email them here.
- Taman Tugu (near the Botanical Gardens) at Jalan Sultan Salahuddin. It can be found at the rear of the main carpark for the Taman Tugu Forest reserve. Similar opening times and guided jungle walks happen on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 – 10am, 10.30 – 12.30pm and on Saturdays from 4 – 6pm. You can email the Taman Tugu branch here.
