Hey Ho Hey Ho its off to Trek we Go !

A head's up on what's in store in August and early September:

Fungi 101

Image by: Peter Pillai

Date : 4 August 2012
Time : 0800 - 1300 hrs
Venue : Lambir National Park, Miri

An easy trek in Lambir National Park while learning about fungi. We're inviting a research student, who is currently studying fungis (of course...) to join us. So if you've always wondered about these weird unassuming organisms on our forest floor tree bark etc, do sign up for this trek. For those interested, please e-mail Joyce at mnsmiri@yahoo.com or jvsivalingam@hotmail.com.

Merdeka Weekend Trek

Image by:Joyce Sivalingam

Date : 30 August - 1 September 2012
Venue : Similajau National Park, Bintulu

A long leisurely trek to Turtle Beach 1 or 2 depending on consensus/fitness of the group.

Tentative itinerary:
30 August, Thursday : Leave Miri by 5 pm and arrive Similajau National Park before 9 pm.
31 August, Friday : Trek to Turtle Beach 1 or 2
1 September, Saturday : Drive to Bintulu for a visit (optional) or return to Miri.

We will be spending 2 nights at Similajau National Park. A gentle reminder for the uniniated

that all MNS Miri trips are on your own account and those who volunteer to drive, get brownie points. We'll work out car pooling arrangements based on who's turning up.

For those interested, please e-mail Joyce at mnsmiri@yahoo.com or jvsivalingam@hotmail.com. Reservation for accomodation is necessary so do sign up early.

 

Bakam Giam - Let's Clean Up !

Date : 8 September 2012

Time : 0700hrs (meeting point at Miri - to be advised) - 1730 hrs (estimated to be back in Miri)

Venue : Bakam

We're hooking up with Kg. Bakam Youth Committee to co-organize a trip cum clean up at Giam Bakam. The trail to the waterfall is best attempted with a 4WD (hint: volunteer drivers are most welcomed). In terms of difficulty, you should expect a 6 for this activity on a scale of 1 (walk in the park) to 10 (need MC next day to recover). No sweat... you have more than a month to shape up so no excuses. For those interested, please e-mail Dr. John Yeo at mnsmiri@yahoo.com or drjyeo@gmail.com

Trivia : Did you know, 'Giam' is waterfall in Bidayuh ?

Please note for all trips above, non-members will have to pay a nominal registration fee of RM5. This will be waived or reimbursed, should you decide to sign up as an MNS member.

MNS Miri Branch Committee 2012/2013

MNS Miri Branch AGM was successfully held on 7 July 2012 at Lambir National Park. A big THANK YOU to members who attended the AGM for your continuous support. With that, the term for 2011/2012 has come to a close and a new branch committee was elected for 2012/2013.

With your support and participation, we look forward to sustain MNS's presence in Miri.  
Do feel free to mail us at mnsmiri@yahoo.com for any suggestions or feedback. We certainly hope to hear from you. 

Special thanks to the Branch Committee of 2011/2012.  

Reefcheck Eco Diver's Course

                                               Source: www.watercoloursworld.com/blog

MNS Miri Branch Reefcheck focus group organized an Eco-Diving Course last May. Reefcheck has been an ongoing effort of Miri Branch funded by the Shell Malaysia Sustainable Development Grant.

Julian and Nattelee from Reef Check Malaysia joined MNS members, Amer and Shirley in Miri to run the Eco-diving course. EcoDivers-to-be were Joyce, Munirah, John, Lee, Guan Jye and myself; Miriam. Amer and Shirley completed the EcoDiver Instructor course. The course involved 3 classroom sessions and 4 test dives.

The course topics covered over the 3 sessions were:
(1) The importance of conducting reef checks/ Threats to the underwater ecosystem
(2) Fish Identification
(3) Invertebrate Identification
(4) Substrate Identification
(5) Impact Survey
(6) Reef Check Methodology

The dives were done in the mornings and the classroom sessions were from afternoon till about 5:30 pm. On the 11th May 2012 however it was just a classroom session from 6:30pm till 9:00pm.

12th May: 1st and 2nd Dive: Anemone North  & Siwa
Fine weather but the water was a tad bit choppy. The group of eco-divers-to be were divided into 2 groups of 3 each. Shirley and Julian went down with Joyce, Lee and myself. Amer and Nattelee went down with Munirah, John and Guan Jey. Once in the water, Shirley and Amer took turns to test us on identifying the several fish that were perched or swimming about. Visibility was 10 to 15 meters. Angel fish would appear on and off and convince us that they were butterfly - such posers. The occasional not-so-solitary grouper would have us think twice before identifying it despite its pectoral fins and spotted- matted complexion. Inconspicuous fish remained inconspicuous due to their small size and schoolish behavior. Sweetlips, we saw three and then we knew they could not be mistaken for another. Snappers were the tricky ones for most of us. A lot of wanna-be snappers in Miri waters, which we need to be wary of while doing the reef check.

13th May: 3rd and 4th Dive: Siwa
After heavy showers in the early hours of the morning we dared the Seahawk to take us to Siwa. The water was choppier than the day before but Billy; the boatman did the best he could given the circumstances and had us at the site in an hour or so. Despite the chaos on the surface, once we dove all that changed. We were still in the same groups; however Nattelee and Julian switched places. The visibility was slightly better than the day before and we were tested on substrates this time. Most of the time we had to waft the coral to check if it was hard or soft and then sometimes tap the surface twice to check if it was silt or sand. We saw a fair variety of sponge, soft and hard coral, silt, sand, rock, Nutrient Indicator Algae (NIA) and unfortunately Recently Killed Coral (RKC). On the whole, rubble was hard to find. A Moray Eel poked its ugly head out while we were being tested on the coral above it. The last session ended with Julian showing us how to lay the line, drop the plum line and also how to pace ourselves while doing the survey. Although the demonstration was on land it gave us a fair view of what is required when we actually conduct the reef check. All 6 of us are currently a reef check dive away from being eco-divers. All in all, the course was educational and fun. We certainly look forward to continue MNS Miri’s Reefcheck surveys soon! 

Reported by: Miriam Chacko

MNS Miri Branch Annual General Meeting 2012

It is the time of year again to exercise your right to elect your branch committee. Please do block this date in your diaries. 

MNS Miri Branch Annual General Meeting 2012 

DATE     : 7^th July 2012 (Saturday)

TIME      : 2.00 – 4.00 pm (tea will be served)

VENUE  : Lambir National Park

AGENDA             

-          AGM ( 2 – 4 pm)

-          Night walk at Lambir National Park (6 – 8 pm)

Branch committee members are important for the success of the branch. In the past, many of the activities organized by MNS Miri have been driven by passionate and energetic individuals who are personally interested on a particular field. Thanks to these individuals, we’ve enjoyed a variety of activities such as birding, trekking, Reefcheck, conducting firefly surveys and promoting nature awareness through outreach programs with local schools. It is important that we build upon or expand the good work done over the years and sustain MNS Miri’s presence in Miri. It is up to us to make this happen.

The following are positions up for elections:

Branch Chairperson

1.      Responsible to Council and undertakes responsibilities determined by Council and branch members

2.      Responsible for Branch supervision and operations

3.      Upholds and represents MNS Society at the branch level

4.      Leads the Branch committee in developing annual strategy and programmes

5.      Chairs the Branch committee meetings and the Branch AGM

Branch Vice Chairperson

1.       Upholds and represents MNS at the branch level in the absence of Branch Chairperson

2.       Assists in developing annual strategy and programmes

3.       Leads the Branch and its committee in its activities / operations, as deemed necessary, in the absence of the Branch Chair

Branch Honorary Secretary

1.       Responsible for all Branch records and correspondence

2.       Custodian of MNS Rules and Regulations and other official branch documents

3.       Submits annual returns to MNS Secretariat

4.       Records and reads minutes of branch meetings and Branch AGM

Branch Honorary Treasurer

1.      Responsible for development and execution of financial policies, procedures, audits and controls at branch level

2.       Receives and disburses funds in payment of all obligations

3.       Develops and recommends annual budget to Branch committee

Ordinary Committee Members

(At least one and not more than 6 members can be elected.)

1.      Specific role to assist Branch committee including areas of membership, public relations, succession planning, developing conservation and environmental education programmes and initiation of new project initiatives

Only valid members with paid-up memberships up to 31st July 2012 are eligible to attend, stand for election and vote at the AGM.

Please respond to mnsmiri@yahoo.com by 25^th June 2012 on the following:

• Your attendance for AGM
• Are you planning to join the night walk?

Bukit Pantu Trek

We're heading to Lambir National Park before the holidays. 

Date: 26 May 2012
Time: 0700 hrs (at Taman Awam) - 1300 hrs

You'll need, proper shoes, small face towel, water & insect repellant.  

For queries and to register please e-mail jvsivalingam@hotmail.com.

p.s: Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai to all MNS Miri members who celebrate Hari Gawai !