Earth Hour, 23 March 2013 - Switch OFF!

Earth Hour, the global environmental initiative, began in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses switched off their lights for one hour to take a stand against climate change.This year, Earth Hour will take place on Saturday, 23 March from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

All MNS Miri members are urged to switch off non-essential lights for the hour. If you're stumped as to what can you do to amuse yourself in this hour of darkness... join us for a night, camping outdoors as we commemorate Earth Hour.

Date: 23 - 24 March 2013
Venue : Baraya Laut Resort (See Map below)

Tentative Itinerary (will be fine tuned):
23 March, 2013 
3.00 pm onwards - Arrive at Baraya Laut and pitch your tents
6.00 to 10.00 pm  - BBQ, Earth Hour and Astronomy Appreciation (led by Musa)

24 March, 2013
Free and easy in the morning 
Check out by 12.00 pm

Source: www.miricommunity.net

Costs for accommodation/BBQ pit (rental of bungalow which is a must for the use of the campsite) will be equally shared. We're suggesting a group BBQ so any costs incurred for the group BBQ shall be split as well (will be communicated over mail). For those without tents, there are rooms available at the bungalow so first come, first serve. And if you don't fancy camping, don't hesitate to join us for BBQ/Earth Hour and make your way back to Miri. 

Those interested, please sign up with Joyce (jvsivalingam@hotmail.com / mnsmiri@yahoo.com).  

Non-members are more then welcomed with a token fee of RM5.00 on top of the shared costs. 

Cycling and Birding at Sg. Tujuh Road

Image courtesy of Peter Pillai

Anyone fancy a cycle ride on the Sungai Tujuh Road on a Saturday morning? It will be more of a birding exercise but of course, cycling up the ASEAN bridge will provide enough cardio for the day.

Things you need: cycle, sunscreen and helmet.

Date: 2nd March, 2013.
Route: Car park (just before the ASEAN bridge, to the left)- Kuala Baram Sungai Tujuh Road
Time: Be at the car park/ shed at 6.45 am. Should wrap up by 10 am.

All of the above is of course dependent on the weather. Fingers crossed.

Those interested please e-mail Miriam Chacko (chacko.miriam@gmail.com)

Trekking at Similajau

Date : 29th - 31st March 2013

Venue : Similajau National Park, Bintulu

Tentative Itinerary:

29th March : Drive to Similajau National Park (own arrangements). Overnight at park accomodation.

30th March : Trek along the coast. Overnight either at the park or Bintulu town.

31st March : Return to Miri

The beauty of Similajau National Park is its coastline, a chain of golden sandy beaches, punctuated by small rocky headlands and jungle streams, and bordered by dense green forest. Similajau was gazetted as a park in 1976, to provide a conservation zone for the unique geographical features of the coast and to protect the flora and fauna of the surrounding area. The park covers an area of 8,996 hectares, and the main trekking trail hugs the coast so that visitors are never far away from the main attractions of Similajau - Sarawak Forestry

Those interested, please e-mail Amer (amer3d@gmail.com).

Earth Day Beach and Reef Clean Up

In conjunction with Earth Day this year, Sarawak Forestry Corporation together with Shell Malaysia is organizing a beach and reef clean up in Miri.

Date : 20 April 2013 (Saturday)
Venue : Piasau Beach and Miri-Sibuti Marine National Park
Time : 0730 - 1300 hrs
* Light refreshments will be served

Those interested to volunteer, please register with Samantha Kwan (samanthak@sarawakforestry.com).

Birdwatching at Curtin Lakes

Join us for a morning of birding at the Curtin Lakes.

Date : 16 March 2013
Time : 0700 - 0900hrs
Venue : Curtin Campus

Here are some links to previous visits to Curtin to gauge what may be in store:
http://miribirding.blogspot.com/2012/01/awc-curtin-university.html
http://miribirding.blogspot.com/2010/07/birds-on-campus-curtin-university-miri.html

Those interested please register with Musa at sammua@yahoo.com.