Kota Kinabalu Wetlands
Region
Asia
Country
Malaysia
Flyway
East Asian - Australasian flyway
Initiative
WLI Asia-Oceania
About
Name of organisation
Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society
Funding support
1. Conservation Levy
2. Donations
3. Grants and Projects
Number of staff
6
Number of visitors per year
50,000
Overall aims of the centre
SWCS Objectives:
1. To promote the conservation of wetlands in Sabah and the variety of plants, birds and other kind of living organisms found in them;
2. To raise public awareness and appreciation of wetlands and public involvement in protecting wetlands;
3. To manage Kota Kinabalu Wetland as a model wetland centre for the purpose of conservation, education, recreation, tourism and research.
Description of the centre
Location: 7km from the City Center of Kota Kinabalu
Size of site: 24-hectares
Types of habitats and species supported:
Mangrove forest that supports 30 mangrove species, over 92 bird species (migratory and resident) and a wide range of marine wildlife (fishes, crabs, mudskippers, horseshoe crabs).
Featured programs: Environmental Education Programme, Mangrove Tree Planting & Environmental Voluntary Work.
Work Areas
Main CEPA work area
The main work areas conducted in KKWRS is mainly Environmental Education Programme involving Communication, Education and Awareness-raising. However, SWCS also has spread the wings to works in areas involving Communication, Education, Awareness-raising & Participation such as collaboration with other organisations in projects involving capacity building, research and environmental education and awareness programme.
Top three successes
1. Designated as a Ramsar Site (Site no: 2290), a wetland of international importance and it is the first urban Ramsar Site in Malaysia and the only Ramsar Site managed by NGO in Malaysia.
2. Celebration of annual World Wetlands Day during the month of February each year. This event is achievable with strong supports from relevant Ministry and generous donors. SWCS managed to successfully celebrate this annual event along with participation from local community and local students.
3. Organising biennial International Symposium on Conservation and Management of Wetlands (ISCMW). ISCMW is a biennial event started in 2014. The symposium gathers participants globally, forming a working network among wetland conservation agencies as a whole, and act as a sharing platform from the key experts and other relevant stakeholders.
Top three challenges
1. Budget limitations
2. Manpower
3. Staff skills and training
Expertise
Interpretation techniques
Creating signage; site information; Producing written materials; Using audio-visual tools; Developing nature trails
Visitor centres
Setting up a new visitor centre; Managing / creating habitat; Running a visitor centre; Building / maintaining structures
Participation
Engaging hard-to-reach groups; Engaging young people; Engaging the local community; Working with volunteers
Education and communication
Early years education; Delivering adult education; Working with primary schools; Lobbying / running campaigns; Working with secondary schools; Developing resources / materials
General
Auditing / assessing effectiveness; PR and marketing; Running effective administration; Health and safety; Fund-raising; Project planning.
Contact
Mdm. Rita Ignatius
Position Executive Secretary / Manager
Telephone +60 88246955
Mobile +60 198704911
E-mail exec.secretary@sabahwetlands.org
Website www.sabahwetlands.org
Join WLI free and create your own member profile showcasing the work you are doing.