Education and Public Awareness Programme

About

Since 2013, DGFC has been involved in education and conservation awareness activities, either as a participant or an organiser. DGFC’s Education and Conservation Awareness Programme is led by the Education Officer, Clarice Kelly Samih and supported by the rest of the DGFC team. Its main objectives are:

To promote public awareness and understanding of the benefits of conservation, especially the importance of Sabah’s wildlife and habitat.
To implement conservation awareness programmes that have been (co-) funded by partner institutions.

In addition, DGFC is a member of the Sabah Environmental Education Network (SEEN) to further develop conservation-related activities in the State of Sabah. SEEN members run their programmes independently, and an annual meeting is held to report all activities and to discuss how to improve our environmental education programme.

Outreach programme at SMK St John, Tuaran ©DGFC

Outreach programme at SMK Bandau, Kota Marudu ©DGFC

Honour our Nature Outreach Programme (Honor)

HONOR 1.0 2023

Supported by Orangutan Appeal UK, HONOR 2023 successfully engaged 63 students, 43 teachers, and 18 facilitators from 11 schools across three districts in Sabah—Kinabatangan, Telupid/Tongod, and Beaufort.

Organized by DGFC’ Education Team, in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Education Department, Orangutan Appeal UK, Pangolin Aware, and Wildlife Rescue Unit, the programme aimed to raise awareness on wildlife conservation, climate change, deforestation, and illegal wildlife trade. Through a three-day immersive experience in each district, participants engaged in interactive workshops, expert talks, and hands-on activities such as camera trapping, wildlife tracking, footprint casting, and conservation role-playing. The programme also introduced students to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Life on Land, emphasizing sustainable practices and habitat restoration. Evaluation results showed a notable increase in students’ knowledge, interest, and engagement in conservation, with many expressing a desire to adopt environmentally responsible behaviours and share their learning with others. Despite the hot weather, logistical constraints, and electricity supply issues, the programme was well received, with participants showing increased awareness and commitment to conservation.

Events in Beaufort (top) and Tongod (bottom)

HONOR 2.0 2024

The HONOR 2.0 programme, fully funded by Orangutan Appeal UK, this year’s programme expanded our environmental education activities across four districts in Sabah—Ranau, Tambunan, Nabawan, and Keningau, engaging with 60 students and 21 teachers from 12 schools in a 3-night, 4-day camp at Mahua Rainforest Paradise, Crocker Range Park. Led by DGFC’ Education Team in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Education Department, Orangutan Appeal UK, Pangolin Aware, Wildlife Rescue Unit, and Sabah Parks, the programme aimed to enlist participants as Wildlife Junior Rangers, certified by the Sabah Wildlife Department. Activities included birdwatching, camera trapping, wildlife habitat studies, and conservation strategy development, alongside talks with experts and inspirational sessions by Wildlife Junior Rangers from SM St. Michael Sandakan. Despite the wet weather, the programme was a huge success, increasing participants’ knowledge of conservation, encouraging environmentally responsible behaviour, and fostering leadership in wildlife protection.

HONOR2 2024-Camping Mahua Rainforest Paradise, Crocker Range Park

Tambunan (top); Camping in Mahua Rainforest Paradise, Crocker Range Park (bottom)

Resources

Explore resources and tools created by our Education Team to inspire the young generation to foster coexistence with nature in future. These educational resources are free and suitable for educators and parents as an additional learning activity with the kids.