Eco Explorace
by Vanessa Ting
Above: A photo exhibition, 'Wildlife in UM', was also held at the Rimba Ilmu exhibition hall.
On the 27th of September 2014, the Environmental Science and Management Club (SPAS Club) organised a devious treasure hunt which had students running all over the 330 hectares of UM hunting down all things environmental and sustainable.
Headed by She Mei Tan, SPAS Club president, and an energetic team of SPAS Club volunteers, the event, supported by UMCares, was a resounding success. Participants gamely took on various flagship and student-led projects from Tasek Varsiti (Water Warriors for water conservation) to the ZWC Site at Damansara gate (Zero Waste Campaign for recycling).
Above: A facilitator sprays mosquito repellent on participants (left). Excited participants ready to start their race (right)!
The other checkpoints highlighted the Stream of Life, where participants conducted water monitoring, and a recycling race at Sastera Court. The final checkpoint was in Rimba Ilmu, which saw 40 teams of four participants each frantically trying to identify ten plants in 20 minutes. The event was rounded off by an Eco Ace quiz, the final chance for teams to rack up points.
The aim of the Eco Explorace was to create a sense of wonder and excitement in environmental learning, which is very apparent in children as they explore the natural world, but is steadily lost as we grow older. Also, Eco Explorace very kindly showcased UMCares' environmental initiatives to UM students, which inspired them to lead sustainable lifestyles once they saw how simple these practices were.
Above: The search for plants begins (left). Once identified, each team must photograph themselves with the plant (right).
The participants appreciated the chance to explore the campus, and a final-year student said of Rimba Ilmu, 'What a beautiful place. All these years I've never set foot in here before!'
Read She Mei's account of it here.
