15.2.4 : Events about sustainable use of land
International Bootcamp Citizen Science at Hutan Rekreasi UTM: A Hands-On Experience in Environmental Stewardship
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) advanced its environmental education and conservation outreach by organizing the International Bootcamp Citizen Science at Hutan Rekreasi UTM Johor Bahru. The initiative provided an immersive, science-based educational experience for local and international participants, emphasizing ecosystem understanding, biodiversity conservation, and the interdependence between wild flora, fauna, and human activity.
The programme addressed key environmental challenges such as habitat degradation, reduced biodiversity, and ecosystem imbalance caused by urban expansion and pollution. Through hands-on field activities, participants learned methods for identifying plant and animal species, assessing environmental indicators like soil quality and water pH, and recording ecological data for ongoing biodiversity monitoring. This citizen science approach empowered participants to model the likely ecological futures with and without conservation interventions, illustrating the measurable impact of human behaviour on natural ecosystems.
By fostering collaboration between researchers, students, and local communities, the bootcamp contributed to the development of adaptive educational strategies that integrate field-based learning with real-world conservation policy. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms were incorporated into the programme to ensure continuous improvement and sustainability of learning outcomes.
This initiative demonstrates UTM’s dedication to ecosystem education and community empowerment, aligning directly with SDG 15 – Life on Land, by cultivating informed environmental stewardship and supporting long-term biodiversity preservation through participatory education.
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