Volunteering
Banun, Perak
/Volunteer/
Volunteers joined treeplanting census and monitoring work at TRLC-Banun. (Lucy/TRCRC)
Volunteer Programme
The TRCRC Volunteer program aims to promote rainforest conservation and involve communities in environmental rehabilitation. By volunteering and working with and around nature and passionate staff, participants may acquire a more personal and direct relationship with complex and often abstract issues such as deforestation and subsequent loss of ecosystem services.
Participants will also make a lasting impact by helping TRCRC reach its goals. Would you like to do more to protect Malaysia’s threatened plant species? If so gather your friends or colleagues and join a program at one of our Tropical Living Collections.
Send us a message below or contact ask@trcrc.org or ekrc@trcrc.org
Tanjung Malim, Perak
/Trainee and staff/
YCTP 2nd cohort forest botany class at Edu-Forest UPSI. (Adrihani/TRCRC)
Youth Conservation Trainee Programme
The Youth Conservation Trainee Programme (YCTP) is a three-month training initiative by the Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre (TRCRC), supported by Yayasan Sime Darby and Ministry of Finance (MOF) for the second cohort. The programme aims to inspire passionate youth aged 18 to 30, following the Youth Societies and Youth Development (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act A1602), with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to tropical rainforest conservation. The programme takes place across two of TRCRC’s key sites : the Elmina Rainforest Knowledge Centre (ERKC), Shah Alam and the Tropical Rainforest Living Collection (TRLC) Banun, Perak.
YCTP provides participants with a diverse range of immersive learning experiences combining classroom-based learning and hands-on fieldwork. Trainees are exposed to a variety of conservation topics including seed collection protocols, nursery care and management, biodiversity field survey, ecosystem restoration best practices and working with Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs).
For more information and updates on our volunteer programmes and activities, follow us on Instagram.
During the monsoon season in 2025, Tropical Rainforest Living Collection Banun carried out tree planting activities from October to December. This period was ideal for large-scale restoration due to favourable soil moisture conditions, which supported seedling establishment during the early stages of planting activities.
A total of 4,532 individual trees representing 94 species were planted. Among them were Endangered, Rare, and Threatened (ERT) species such as Shorea ovata (EN), Shorea lamellata (CR), Dipterocarpus grandiflorus (EN), and Vatica nitens (EN), which were successfully planted under the forest canopy.
Through these planting efforts, TRCRC ensured that the living collection of endangered rainforest timber species was carefully planned and restored through ex-situ conservation.
This successful three-month effort was made possible through the dedication of the Ground-team and seasonal tree planters from the Orang Asli community of Kg. Semelor, RPS Air Banun.
This restoration effort was supported by @yayasansimedarbyofficial under the Belanjawan MADANI Matching Grant 2025–2026.
The Eco Guardian Initiative Programme (eGIP) 2026 at Pulau Banding, Gerik proudly achieved a new 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 title for “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧 𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞” after successfully assessing 1,019 trees in one day! 🌳 @malaysiabookofrecords
The programme brought together over 250 university student volunteers from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia to conduct biodiversity and forest health monitoring activities, including tree assessments, soil studies, canopy coverage, and wildlife observations.
TRCRC was proud to support the programme alongside BFF, TREX-TRaCE, and PArM by contributing expertise in tree census protocol, and a side treeplanting event to plant 200 native seedlings.
This collaborative initiative highlights the importance of long-term forest conservation, environmental awareness, and protecting the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex for future generations.
This grand event is supported by KPT, MASKUM, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Pulau Banding Foundation, Yayasan Perkasa Siswa, and Suruhanjaya Sokongan UNESCO Malaysia.
#mbor #treecensus #volunteer #pulaubanding #belumtemenggor
Did you know that beyond the iconic dipterocarps, our Malaysian forests are also home to the fascinating Fagaceae family? 🌳
Known as the oak and chestnut family, Fagaceae species like Quercus play an important role in Malaysia’s montane and hill forests. Their acorns provide food for wildlife such as squirrels and small rodents, helping support healthy forest ecosystems. While dipterocarps dominate many lowland forests, Fagaceae species are more commonly found at higher elevations, contributing to the richness and resilience of our forest landscapes.
Recently, our TRCRC Banun team had the opportunity to learn from Fagaceae expert Dr. Joeri through an intensive 3D2N field training under our Seed-to-Tree (STT) project, funded by the UK PACT Green Transition Fund and jointly implemented by TRCRC & @bioversityciat . The training focused on building practical skills in species identification and seed source mapping, helping ensure the right seeds are planted in the right places, at the right time, for long-term forest restoration.
This knowledge also supports our seed buy-back initiatives with local communities, strengthening both ecological restoration and community participation in conservation efforts. 🌱
#TRCRC #SeedToTree #ASEANUKGTF #ASEANUK #thrivingpartnership
Planting 1,000 trees may sound impressive, but if they all come from the same genetic background, an entire forest could become vulnerable to disease, pests, or extreme weather. 😱
That’s why genetic diversity matters.
Through the Seed to Tree project, Diversity4Restoration was developed. D4R is a tool that helps guide restoration efforts using genetically diverse and climate-resilient planting materials.
Because restoring forests isn’t just about planting more trees. It’s about planting forests that can survive and thrive for generations to come. 🌳
The Seed to Tree project is funded by the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund and jointly implemented by TRCRC & @bioversityciat .
#TRCRC #SeedToTree #ASEANUKGTF #ASEANUK #geneticdiversity
In conjunction with International Day for Biological Diversity 2026, TRCRC continues to believe that meaningful conservation begins with local action and collective responsibility 🌿
Guided by this year’s theme, “Acting Locally for Global Impact”, we recognise the importance of communities, volunteers, and restoration practitioners in protecting biodiversity and restoring degraded forests.
From collaborating with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) through the Seedling Buyback Programme and Seed to Tree initiatives, to the dedication of the TRLC Banun Ground Team consisting of Temiar and Jahai community members, these local partnerships continue to strengthen restoration efforts on the ground.
Through initiatives such as the TRLC Merisuli native seed collection survey in Sipitang, Sabah, and volunteer-supported restoration activities under the EUBC tree planting volunteer program, TRCRC continues to support the conservation and restoration of native tropical rainforest species across Malaysia.
Together, local actions create lasting global impact 🌱
#BiodiversityDay #LocalAction #ForNature
Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming the CITIC CLSA team and members from EPF to our Elmina Living Collection Nursery at the ERKC site for an engaging visit and meaningful discussions. 🌱
We shared how TRCRC implements restoration and biodiversity strategies across landscapes, from ERKC in Elmina, Selangor to our project sites in Banun, Perak and Merisuli in Sabah, highlighting the ecological considerations that shape each site’s approach.
The strong engagement reflects growing corporate commitment to biodiversity and conservation. Visits like these strengthen knowledge sharing, encourage cross sector collaboration and align sustainability ambitions with on the ground restoration expertise.
Working together allows us to go further. We appreciate the opportunity to connect and explore how we can collectively advance restoration and conservation efforts in Malaysia. 🇲🇾
For visit or consultation enquiries, please contact us at ask@trcrc.org.
#trcrc #Biodiversity #Restoration #CorporateEngagement #erkc
Saving the best for last! 🙌
Get to know Azlan from the Jahai community, one of the many true guardians of our forests. Through this interview, he shares his deep connection with nature and the wisdom passed down through generations.
His admiration for the Merbau tree, one of Malaysia’s treasured native species, reflects the community’s enduring relationship with the rainforest and its rich biodiversity. 🌳
Conservation begins with awareness, appreciation, and education. Let’s continue supporting indigenous peoples and local communities who play a vital role in protecting our natural heritage. 💪
This interview was made possible under the Seed to Tree project funded by the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund and jointly implemented by TRCRC & @bioversityciat .
#TRCRC #SeedToTree #ASEANUKGTF #ASEANUK
Meet Jamri from Kampung Klewang 🙌
By collecting seeds and managing his nursery, Jamri is ensuring the Royal Belum rainforest remains resilient for generations to come.
His journey from student to `Pakar Rimba` (Forest Expert) is a testament to the impact of dedicated conservation efforts.
Support Jamri and the indigenous people and local communities who make this possible!💪
This interview was made possible under the Seed to Tree project funded by the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund and jointly implemented by TRCRC & @bioversityciat
#TRCRC #SeedToTree #ASEANUKGTF #ASEANUK
