Malaysian Nature Society

Malaysian Nature Society

Type	Charity
Industry	Environmentalism
Founded	1940
Headquarters	Bukit Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Products	Lobbying, research, consultancy, sustainable technology.
Revenue	$2 Million USD (2005)
Employees	50 (worldwide)
Website	www.mns.org.my

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS; Persatuan Pencinta Alam Malaysia in Malay) is the oldest and one of the most prominent environmental not for profit, non-governmental organizations in Malaysia. It was first established, as the Malayan Nature Society, with the launch of the Malayan Nature Journal, in 1940. Initially primarily as a scientific organisation, today MNS is involved in a wide range of environmental activities and campaigns. In 2008 MNS was awarded the inaugural Merdeka Award for the environment, primarily for its efforts in campaigning for the protection of the Belum-Temengor forests of Malaysia. MNS is a voluntary, membership-based organisation with approximately 3800 members.

The Society has branches in most of the states in Malaysia. One of the branches was located in Singapore due to the historical and tie the island state has with Malaysia. The Singaporean branch later transformed itself into an independent Nature Society (Singapore) in 1991.^[1]

Mission

The organization place upon itself the responsibility to promote the study, appreciation, conservation and protection of Malaysia's natural heritage.^{[citation needed]}

Principle achievements

MNS has been credited for a number of conservation achievements as a result of public campaigns. One of the first of these successes was the halting of the quarrying at Batu Caves in 1980. This was followed by the creation of Endau Rompin National Park, following its expeditions there in 1985 and 1986. More recently, it succeeded in its campaigns to get the northern part of Belum-Temengor declared a state park^[2] and for a national park to be establish on Penang island.

MNS has also been influential in changing government policy on environmental issues ranging from industrial pollution to wildlife protection to banning Shark's fin soup from official government functions ^[3].

Members' activities

MNS member activities, such as evening talks and excursions on natural history topics, are organised through a network of local branches. Several branches have special interest groups focusing on one particular activity, such as bird watching, nature photography, or jungle trekking. Branches are also active in local conservation projects.

Education

MNS runs a program of Nature Clubs for schools throughout Malaysia. Currently, approximately 300 school participate in the program. In addition, MNS runs education programs at Rimba Ilmu of the Universiti Malaya and at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM).^[2]

Parks and Education Centres

MNS currently runs Kuala Selangor Nature Park and the Boh Tea Estate chalet in the Cameron Highlands.

Publications and Communication

MNS reaches out to the public via its website (www.mns.my) and a number of associated online initiatives (see below).

In addition, MNS has the following periodical publications:

1. Malayan Nature Journal (MNJ) is the original MNS publication that has now become a quarterly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering ecology and conservation in Malaysia and the surrounding region.
2. Malaysian Naturalist (MN) is a popular quarterly magazine on the natural history of Malaysia that is free for members and is also sold at newsstands.
3. Secretariat News is a supplement to the MN that is provided to MNS members.
4. Pencinta Alam is the Society's (free) monthly newsletter.
5. Suara Enggang is a bimonthly bulletin of the MNS Bird Conservation Council, focusing on interesting sightings and bird conservation issues.
6. Tapir is the quarterly bulletin of the MNS Kelab Pencinta Alam (KPA) school nature clubs.

The MNS Conservation Publication series are a collection of reports and advisory papers.

Logo

The society logo is based on a Malayan Tapir. Under the IUCN Red List, the species is listed as vulnerable. The species is distributed in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, Thailand and Myanmar. Sightings have been recorded at other places such as deeper in the Indochina but such reports are unconfirmed.

MNS Office

The MNS headquarters is located at Bukit Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur.^[4]

Notable Members

Several notable expatriate and local naturalists have been awarded honorary membership of MNS including Henry Nicholas Ridley, Edred John Henry Corner, John Leonard Harrison, Loke Wan Tho, Gladys Le Mare and the 6th Earl of Cranbrook. Past presidents of MNS include Elliott McClure and Salleh Mohd. Nor.^[5]

References

1. ^ About NSS. Extracted November 10 2006
2. ^ ^{a b} Join MNS. Malaysian Naturalist. Vol 59/3 2006. Malaysian Nature Society.
3. ^ ChannelNewsAsia.com, Malaysian ministry bans shark's fin soup
4. ^ Introducing MNS. Extracted November 10 2006
5. ^ Malayan Nature Journal

External links

• Malaysian Nature Society
• MNS E-groups, (e.g. National MNS Yahoo Group)
• MNS E-forums, (e.g. National MNS E-Forum)