Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sri Aman Environmental Video's
Inspiring Environmental Video's done by the environmentalists of Sri Aman!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Why Save Endangered Species?
Plants and animals hold medicinal, agricultural, ecological, commercial and aesthetic/recreational value. Endangered species must be protected and saved so that future generations can experience their presence and value.
The Pacific yew, a slow-growing tree found in the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest, was historically considered a "trash" tree (it was burned after clearcutting). However, a substance in its bark taxol was recently identified as one of the most promising treatments for ovarian and breast cancer.
Additionally, more than 3 million American heart disease sufferers would perish within 72 hours of a heart attack without digitalis, a drug derived from the purple foxglove.
The northern spotted owl, listed as threatened in 1990, is an indicator of the declining health of the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest. These forests are the home to over 100 other old-growth dependent species, which are at risk due to decades of unsustainable forest management practices.
Pollution off the coast of Florida is killing the coral reefs along the Florida Keys, which serve as habitat for hundreds of species of fish. Commercial fish species have begun to decline, causing a threat to the multi-million dollar tourism industry, which depends on the quality of the environment.
Freshwater mussels which are harvested, cut into beads, and used to stimulate pearl construction in oysters form the basis of a thriving industry which supports approximately 10,000 U.S. jobs and contributes over $700 million to the U.S. economy annually. Unfortunately, 43% of the freshwater mussel species in North America are currently endangered or extinct.
Each year over 108 million people in the United States participate in wildlife-related recreation including observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife. Americans spend over $59 billion annually on travel, lodging, equipment, and food to engage in non-consumptive wildlife recreation. Our national heritage of biological diversity is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource. Our quality of life and that of future generations depends on our preservation of plant and animal species.
Medicinal
Plants and animals are responsible for a variety of useful medications. In fact, about forty percent of all prescriptions written today are composed from the natural compounds of different species. These species not only save lives, but they contribute to a prospering pharmaceutical industry worth over $40 billion annually. Unfortunately, only 5% of known plant species have been screened for their medicinal values, although we continue to lose up to 100 species daily.The Pacific yew, a slow-growing tree found in the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest, was historically considered a "trash" tree (it was burned after clearcutting). However, a substance in its bark taxol was recently identified as one of the most promising treatments for ovarian and breast cancer.
Additionally, more than 3 million American heart disease sufferers would perish within 72 hours of a heart attack without digitalis, a drug derived from the purple foxglove.
Agricultural
There are an estimated 80,000 edible plants in the world. Humans depend upon only 20 species of these plants, such as wheat and corn, to provide 90% of the world's food. Wild relatives of these common crops contain essential disease-resistant material. They also provide humans with the means to develop new crops that can grow in inadequate lands such as in poor soils or drought-stricken areas to help solve the world hunger problem. In the 1970s, genetic material from a wild corn species in Mexico was used to stop a leaf fungus that had previously wiped out 15% of the U.S. corn crop.Ecological
Plant and animal species are the foundation of healthy ecosystems. Humans depend on ecosystems such as coastal estuaries, prairie grasslands, and ancient forests to purify their air, clean their water, and supply them with food. When species become endangered, it is an indicator that the health of these vital ecosystems is beginning to unravel. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that losing one plant species can trigger the loss of up to 30 other insect, plant and higher animal species.The northern spotted owl, listed as threatened in 1990, is an indicator of the declining health of the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest. These forests are the home to over 100 other old-growth dependent species, which are at risk due to decades of unsustainable forest management practices.
Pollution off the coast of Florida is killing the coral reefs along the Florida Keys, which serve as habitat for hundreds of species of fish. Commercial fish species have begun to decline, causing a threat to the multi-million dollar tourism industry, which depends on the quality of the environment.
Commercial
Various wild species are commercially raised, directly contributing to local and regional economies. Commercial and recreational salmon fishing in the Pacific Northwest provides 60,000 jobs and $1 billion annually in personal income, and is the center of Pacific Northwest Native American culture. This industry and way of life, however, is in trouble as salmon decline due to habitat degradation from dams, clearcutting, and overgrazing along streams.Freshwater mussels which are harvested, cut into beads, and used to stimulate pearl construction in oysters form the basis of a thriving industry which supports approximately 10,000 U.S. jobs and contributes over $700 million to the U.S. economy annually. Unfortunately, 43% of the freshwater mussel species in North America are currently endangered or extinct.
Aesthetic/Recreational
Plant and animal species and their ecosystems form the basis of America’s multi-billion dollar, job-intensive tourism industry. They also supply recreational, spiritual, and quality-of-life values as well.Each year over 108 million people in the United States participate in wildlife-related recreation including observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife. Americans spend over $59 billion annually on travel, lodging, equipment, and food to engage in non-consumptive wildlife recreation. Our national heritage of biological diversity is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource. Our quality of life and that of future generations depends on our preservation of plant and animal species.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Sri Aman EcoWarriors!
Greetings from the Sri Aman EcoWarriors! Consisting of 31 members, the recycling team of Sri Aman aspire to spread awareness on the importance of recycling as well as inform today's youth of our responsibility to conserve and preserve the environment. The 10th of January saw our first meeting as well as the new board members of 2011:
President: Sharifah Yasmin
Vice President: Amirah Akhyar
Secretary: Jeetha Balasubramaniam
Treasurer: Alya Amir
Heads of Collection
Navina
Bavithira
Emylia Merican
Siti Diana
Heads of Documentation
Nik Areena
Monisha
Kamalam
Kamalam
Heads of Photography
Manesa
Tan Mei Yong
Sayidatul Fatina
Heads of Multimedia
Hui Xin
Cela
Heads of Board
Judy Ooi
Atiqah
Our objectives include:
i) Establishing a Zero-Plastic environment in Sri Aman.
ii) Establishing the recycling habit in Sri Aman youth.
iii) Ensuring the waste materials are recycled instead of disposed.
iv) Educating Sri Aman youth about the importance of recycling.
v) Educating Sri Aman youth about responsibility to the environment.
Achievements:
*Placed fourth in the Stamford College Recycling Competition (National)
*Won third place in the Stamford College Recycling Competition under the category Multimedia Presentation (National)
Activities:
*Held the the Sri Aman Inter-House Recycling Competition that garnered a total of eight tons of recyclable materials.
*Held the the Sri Aman Inter-Class Recycling Competition that garnered a total of three tons of recyclable materials.
*Held a House-to-House Recycling Collection in SS3, Petaling Jaya.
Let's work together for a brighter future! :D
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sri Aman's Eco Pledge
We, Sri Amanians,
Pledge to conserve and preserve the environment,
We promise to reduce the impacts of school activities on the environment by:
1. Recycling newspapers and magazines
2. Reusing paper by writing on both sides
3. Reducing the use of treated water by practicing Rain Water Harvesting
4. Reducing the use of electricity by carrying out Sri Aman Earth Hour
5. Bringing our own containers to buy food from the school canteen and to say NO to styrofoam
6. Planting more trees by creating and maintaining Sri Aman's Mini Forest and Fruit Orchard
7. Reducing the usage of petroleum by carpooling to school as and when we can do so
Finally, we pledge to adopt a lifestyle which is more sustainable -leading towards a cleaner and greener world.
Meeting (17th January)
On the 17th of January, the club had its first official meeting of the year. After introducing the new members of the club to what Toyota Eco Rangers is all about, members of the competition team left the meeting to get a head start on our preparations for the busy year awaiting us. Members were assigned different tasks which they carried out while Farhanah spoke to each member individually concerning each of their job scopes. Eishatur, Niraanjana and Siti Sarah planted the new Misai Kucing plants in our herbs garden to replace the ones that arrived at the end of their lifespans, while the rest of the members removed old potted plants, broken vases, and all sorts of gardening paraphernalia from our school's hydroponic garden as we have future plans for it.
The new club members were given a brief explanation on how bio enzyme can be used for the benefit of our plants. They were then brought to the Mini Eco Forest and they watered the plants at the Mini Eco Forest with the appropriate amount of bio enzyme. The meeting ended at 4.00 pm. All in all, it was a fairly eventful first official meeting which left members eagerly anticipating the year in store for us.
The new club members were given a brief explanation on how bio enzyme can be used for the benefit of our plants. They were then brought to the Mini Eco Forest and they watered the plants at the Mini Eco Forest with the appropriate amount of bio enzyme. The meeting ended at 4.00 pm. All in all, it was a fairly eventful first official meeting which left members eagerly anticipating the year in store for us.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Australia floods: Brisbane braces for surge
Click to play
A huge search-and-rescue operation was mounted, with helicopters winching people to safety. Many residents clung for their lives to trees or railings, or were trapped in cars or on the roofs of buildings.
At least two of the dead were children, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard has warned that the death toll is likely to rise.
Ms Bligh called the flash floods Queensland's "darkest hour" since the floods began at the end of November.
"This has been a night of extraordinary events," Ms Bligh told a news conference on Tuesday.
"We've seen acts of extreme bravery and courage from our emergency workers. We know they're out on the front line desperately trying to begin their search-and-rescue efforts, and we know we have people stranded and people lost," she said.
She called the event "a complete freak of nature", saying the flooding had come "out of nowhere".
Toowoomba mayor Peter Taylor told BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday: "We're working 24 hours a day responding on a emergency number for people who need any assistance in terms of evacuation."
Toowoomba resident Charlie Green told the BBC he was stranded by the floods.
"It would be ironic if it wasn't so tragic," he said. "Toowoomba sits in the cradle of an extinct volcano about 2,000ft (610m) above sea level, and we have just endured 10 years of drought, unable even to wash our cars with town water for the last several years."
The flooding has been so widespread that while some communities are still bracing themselves for the worst, in others the clean-up is well under way.
The forecast is for more rain to come, and there are reports of flooding in neighbouring New South Wales.
Are you in Toowoomba or Brisbane? Have you been affected by the flooding in Queensland? You can send us your stories and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here
World: Americas Floods devastate Central America
A child crosses a flooded street in Tegucigalpa
By Mike Lanchin in San Salvador
Torrential rain, flooding and mudslides across central America have left at least 14 dead over the past few days and thousands of farmers' crops and properties ravaged.
The bad weather has been blamed on a low pressure belt left by Hurricane Floyd. It comes almost a year after Hurricane Mitch wreaked chaos on the region leaving more than 20,000 dead, mostly notably in Honduras and Nicaragua.
![[ image: Crossing a flooded road in El Salvador]](http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/450000/images/_451584_salvador150.jpg) |
| Crossing a flooded road in El Salvador |
Four people have been reported killed so far in Honduras as the country's air force has been mobilised to evacuate stranded communities.
Honduran President Carlos Flores has called on people to remain calm.
There has not been a repeat of the dramatic scenes of flooding in much of the Honduran capital which we saw during Mitch.
But one of the city's main roads was under water at one stage on Friday due to blocked drains as rain water poured down from the neighbouring hillsides.
A luxury hotel's first floor was also flooded.
Evacuation
In neighbouring El Salvador many of the 2,000 people evacuated last weekend from coastal areas in eastern Usulatan when flash floods left four people dead have decided to stay put in their temporary refuges.
![[ image: Cleaning up in Tegucigalpa]](http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/450000/images/_451584_mud150.jpg) |
| Cleaning up in Tegucigalpa |
In Guatemala and Nicaragua there are also reports of casualties and damage from the storms.
In Nicaragua traffic along the main Pan American highway was interrupted by flooding.
So far the situation in Central America has not been as serious as further north in Mexico where the emergency services have reported 25,000 people having been evacuated due to storm flooding.
But with more rain forecast for the whole region in the next few hours the authorities are warning that the worse may not yet be over.
6 Steps to a Greener Kitchen
It has been said many times: "The kitchen is the heart of the home"; however, the kitchens of this planet will become the heart of the planet, so might as well make it a healthy heart, and start keeping a green kitchen.
In fact, a greater number of families are becoming more conscientious about the need to care for the planet and its resources, and perhaps the best place to start is in the kitchen. Start with the basics -- the cleaning products. Start replacing conventional products with environmentally friendly and biodegradable cleaning supplies.
These days, as more companies put out environmentally safe products, the prices are going down. Some oldies that our mothers and grandmothers used have been green products for a long time. Other families might want to take the approach of using everyday staples to clean their home, such as vinegar, baking soda, orange peel as an atomizer and room freshener, or lavender.
Another way to keep a green kitchen is by paying attention to the four R's: reduce, reuse, re-purpose, and recycle -- in that order. Before something goes into the recycling bin, it is important to ask ourselves if it can be reused first. An old pot and a piece of rubber mat can become a planter. And since a brand new pot is going to replace it, it is better to buy one that is made out of recycled materials. Every kitchen tool can be replaced like that, eventually.
Large appliances should be disposed of according to your town's regulations, after they have served out their life in the kitchen. Replacements should be energy-efficient models.
Often, one of the hardest areas for families to go green is the shopping. This is because most people have favorite brands, and sometimes those are not made by green companies. Paper towels are a good example -- some are not made from sustainable sources and waste trees. A solution to that is to change to a green brand, which now is easily available, or to use cloth rags instead, which can be washed many times and reused, and they are readily available at home. Old clothes can be cut for that purpose (if not, they can be donated to charity).
Some food items do not come in environmentally friendly packaging. Buying products that do is a better choice for starting a green kitchen. Buying fruits and vegetables directly from farmers means food tends to be fresher and healthier, and this helps the local economy as well. Planting and growing your own vegetables is another way of going green.
Meat has been a contentious issue, since many farms and big corporations have been exposed by PETA and other activists for cruelty to animals. If you cannot go vegan or vegetarian, buying your meats from local, organic sources is better. Free-range farms can offer a good choice to supermarket meats and eggs that contain hormones and chemicals. Some organic items and free-range items can be found at supermarkets.
Last, installing a water filtration system instead of buying bottled water is one of the most important things people can do to help the planet. Even a Brita pitcher will do.
These are some ideas to get you started toward keeping a green kitchen.
These days, as more companies put out environmentally safe products, the prices are going down. Some oldies that our mothers and grandmothers used have been green products for a long time. Other families might want to take the approach of using everyday staples to clean their home, such as vinegar, baking soda, orange peel as an atomizer and room freshener, or lavender.
Another way to keep a green kitchen is by paying attention to the four R's: reduce, reuse, re-purpose, and recycle -- in that order. Before something goes into the recycling bin, it is important to ask ourselves if it can be reused first. An old pot and a piece of rubber mat can become a planter. And since a brand new pot is going to replace it, it is better to buy one that is made out of recycled materials. Every kitchen tool can be replaced like that, eventually.
Large appliances should be disposed of according to your town's regulations, after they have served out their life in the kitchen. Replacements should be energy-efficient models.
Often, one of the hardest areas for families to go green is the shopping. This is because most people have favorite brands, and sometimes those are not made by green companies. Paper towels are a good example -- some are not made from sustainable sources and waste trees. A solution to that is to change to a green brand, which now is easily available, or to use cloth rags instead, which can be washed many times and reused, and they are readily available at home. Old clothes can be cut for that purpose (if not, they can be donated to charity).
Some food items do not come in environmentally friendly packaging. Buying products that do is a better choice for starting a green kitchen. Buying fruits and vegetables directly from farmers means food tends to be fresher and healthier, and this helps the local economy as well. Planting and growing your own vegetables is another way of going green.
Meat has been a contentious issue, since many farms and big corporations have been exposed by PETA and other activists for cruelty to animals. If you cannot go vegan or vegetarian, buying your meats from local, organic sources is better. Free-range farms can offer a good choice to supermarket meats and eggs that contain hormones and chemicals. Some organic items and free-range items can be found at supermarkets.
Last, installing a water filtration system instead of buying bottled water is one of the most important things people can do to help the planet. Even a Brita pitcher will do.
These are some ideas to get you started toward keeping a green kitchen.
Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/community-tips/greener-kitchens#ixzz1B68468xg
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Meeting with CETDEM (11/1/11)
Two representatives from CETDEM came to our school to further assist us in the establishment of our Organic Vegetable Garden. The meeting was joined by Puan Yeo, our teacher advisor. The main agenda of their visit was to survey the spot we had in mind for the location of the vegetable garden, which was initially a spot behind Block D, where there was a large plot of unused land. The problem with that spot, however, was the fact that it hardly received any sunlight, whereas the plot of land beside our school’s surau did. Hence, it was decided that our vegetable garden would be situated beside our school’s surau.
Once we decided on the location of our vegetable garden, we determined the size it would be. Taking factors such as the availability of land and the amount of vegetables we would plant into consideration, it was decided that our vegetable garden would span between 5.2m x 4m and 6m x 4m. The garden would consist of two walkways sandwiched between three garden beds.
After deciding on the size of our garden, the representatives then told us about the measures we would have to take before planting anything in our vegetable garden. We would have to remove the grass from our garden site until the top layer of soil is exposed, and keep the removed grass to be used later on as ‘sabut’, which would hinder the growth of weeds. We would then have to use a hoe to loosen the soil of our garden site, before covering the loosened soil with a sheet of plastic or any other form of waterproof material which would prevent water from coming into contact with the soil. After completing these first few stages of the establishment of our vegetable garden, we would have another meeting with CETDEM to talk about what we would have to do next in order to make our vegetable garden a success.
CETDEM also suggested that we write sponsorship letters to hardware stores to attempt to garner sponsorship for the tools we would require for the setting up and maintenance of our vegetable garden. We should also start collecting dry leaves to be used later on as ‘sabut’ for our vegetable garden.
As the meeting came to a close, we exchanged contact details with CETDEM so as to contact them should we have any enquiries. The manner in which this project would be carried out would be a world of difference as opposed to the way we carried out our Herbs Garden project, because unlike the way it was with the Herbs Garden project, we had the aid of people well-equipped with knowledge in the field of organic farming. We learnt many things from these people, such as techniques we should apply in loosening soil and the best way to plant different vegetables. We managed to gleam many bits of useful information from the CETDEM representatives, and are truly blessed to have their help.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Meeting (10th of January)
On the 10th of January, a meeting was held to plant new plants and weed the herbs garden. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't on our side, and the pouring rain led to members having no choice but to wait out the rain by having a meeting in the canteen, while our teacher advisor, Puan Yeo, drove to a nearby nursery to purchase new bunga butang plants to replace the ones which had arrived at the ends of their limited lifespans in December.
During the meeting, Farhanah briefed members on her plans for the organic vegetable, as well as informed them on the materials they each need to collect before the compost-making session with CETDEM. Farhanah then told members about the carpool survey. Members were divided into pairs, and each pair was given six survey forms and assigned six classes to carry out their surveys in. Each pair had to hand in their completed survey forms by the 14th of January.
Farhanah also informed members about the club's plans for 2011.
The club will be introducing a One Class One Plant campaign, as well as a monthly Eco Bulletin, which Angela and Elsa were put in charge of. Each class would receive a copy of the Eco Bulletin every month. A change was also made to the Zero Styrofoam campaign, which was that students who bring their own containers to contain the food they purchase from the canteen would contribute marks to their respective sports houses. We would also upgrade the TER board behind the herbs garden, as well as introduce Eco Pledge Cards. Our Eco Music Band would also perform for the Anugerah Hijau once again. Last but not least, there is of course, our Organic Vegetable Garden project which has already been put into place.
The rain subsided at 3.15pm. Members then made their way to the herbs garden to carry out the tedious chores of weeding it and trimming the overgrown plants at the 'Indigenous Plants' section. Members were pleasantly surprised to note that the Senduduk plant looked significantly healthier after it was watered with our homemade garbage enzyme over the course of 2010's year-end holidays. By the time members were done with clearing the herbs garden, there was not enough time left for them to plant the Misai Kucing plants, and it was decided that task would have to wait for another day. Members were dismissed at 4pm, but not before they were once again reminded to complete their surveys by the 14th of January.
During the meeting, Farhanah briefed members on her plans for the organic vegetable, as well as informed them on the materials they each need to collect before the compost-making session with CETDEM. Farhanah then told members about the carpool survey. Members were divided into pairs, and each pair was given six survey forms and assigned six classes to carry out their surveys in. Each pair had to hand in their completed survey forms by the 14th of January.
Farhanah also informed members about the club's plans for 2011.
The club will be introducing a One Class One Plant campaign, as well as a monthly Eco Bulletin, which Angela and Elsa were put in charge of. Each class would receive a copy of the Eco Bulletin every month. A change was also made to the Zero Styrofoam campaign, which was that students who bring their own containers to contain the food they purchase from the canteen would contribute marks to their respective sports houses. We would also upgrade the TER board behind the herbs garden, as well as introduce Eco Pledge Cards. Our Eco Music Band would also perform for the Anugerah Hijau once again. Last but not least, there is of course, our Organic Vegetable Garden project which has already been put into place.
The rain subsided at 3.15pm. Members then made their way to the herbs garden to carry out the tedious chores of weeding it and trimming the overgrown plants at the 'Indigenous Plants' section. Members were pleasantly surprised to note that the Senduduk plant looked significantly healthier after it was watered with our homemade garbage enzyme over the course of 2010's year-end holidays. By the time members were done with clearing the herbs garden, there was not enough time left for them to plant the Misai Kucing plants, and it was decided that task would have to wait for another day. Members were dismissed at 4pm, but not before they were once again reminded to complete their surveys by the 14th of January.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Exciting Back-to-School Celebratory Meeting on the First Day of School
On the 3rd of January, the first day of the 2011 school year, members of the Toyota Eco Rangers club were requested to stay back for two and a half hours for a very urgent meeting to discuss our respective jobs, or rather our respective uncompleted jobs assigned over the holidays. Our failure to complete our jobs on time evoked the extreme disappointment of our beloved leader, and as a result, around 45 minutes of our meeting was dedicated to her very kindly and gently reminding everyone to complete their tasks by a deadline members were initially given the freedom to set on their own. Of course, ultimately, our leader, responsible and attentive when it comes to details as always, set the deadline, which was Monday, January 10th.
We then had a brief Eco Music Band practice, during which we played our old songs, and also tried out the new songs written by Eishatur. We used the melodies of songs like Firework by Katy Perry, but changed the lyrics into something related to the environment. The meeting was adjourned at 4.30pm.
We then had a brief Eco Music Band practice, during which we played our old songs, and also tried out the new songs written by Eishatur. We used the melodies of songs like Firework by Katy Perry, but changed the lyrics into something related to the environment. The meeting was adjourned at 4.30pm.
CETDEM meeting (4th of January)
On the 4th of January, a few of our members attended a meeting with two representatives from CETDEM, an organisation devoted to organic farming. Their names were Miss Tan and Miss Schan, and the meeting was held in the CETDEM office in SS2. The topics discussed at the meeting were based entirely on our proposal of our Organic Vegetable Garden, which we had sent to CETDEM.
Miss Tan started the meeting off by commenting on our objectives of establishing the Organic Vegetable Garden, and suggested that we add yet another objective, to understand the importance of organic farming and organic food, to our initial list of objectives. She suggested a list of plants we should plant in our Organic Vegetable Garden, consisting mainly of hardy plants which could survive more than two years. These plants include 4-angled beans, Small cucumber, Fuyaumak, Japanese ginseng (wild), New Zealand spinach, Brinjal, Cili Padi, Papaya Tree, Banana Tree, Sweet Potato, Purple Spinach, Cekur Manis, Serai , Citronela, Cabbage (takes 3 months to grow), Bayam and Kangkong.
Miss Tan also suggested a few activities we could carry out to make organic farming transcend the boundaries of merely being an environmental obligation into the realms of it being fun and interesting, such as visiting farms and home gardens, organizing organic cooking competitions and organic vegetable treasure hunts, and performing eco music related to the process of establishing the vegetable garden.
She also touched on the steps involved in establishing the vegetable garden, and decided on a few dates during which she will aid us in conducting meetings and planting activities related to the vegetable garden in our school.
Miss Tan started the meeting off by commenting on our objectives of establishing the Organic Vegetable Garden, and suggested that we add yet another objective, to understand the importance of organic farming and organic food, to our initial list of objectives. She suggested a list of plants we should plant in our Organic Vegetable Garden, consisting mainly of hardy plants which could survive more than two years. These plants include 4-angled beans, Small cucumber, Fuyaumak, Japanese ginseng (wild), New Zealand spinach, Brinjal, Cili Padi, Papaya Tree, Banana Tree, Sweet Potato, Purple Spinach, Cekur Manis, Serai , Citronela, Cabbage (takes 3 months to grow), Bayam and Kangkong.
Miss Tan also suggested a few activities we could carry out to make organic farming transcend the boundaries of merely being an environmental obligation into the realms of it being fun and interesting, such as visiting farms and home gardens, organizing organic cooking competitions and organic vegetable treasure hunts, and performing eco music related to the process of establishing the vegetable garden.
She also touched on the steps involved in establishing the vegetable garden, and decided on a few dates during which she will aid us in conducting meetings and planting activities related to the vegetable garden in our school.
No | Activity | Date & Time |
1 | Site viewing and Measurement of plot | 11th January, Tuesday 2.30 pm |
2 | Talk on Organic Farming to all TER members | 26th January, Wednesday 2.30 pm |
3 | Compost Making and Planting of fruit trees | 10th February, Thursday 2.30 pm |
4 | Building the plot for the vegetable garden | 17th February, Thursday 8.00 am |
5 | Placing green manure and compost for the garden | 17th February, Thursday 2.30 pm |
6 | Planting of vegetables | 17th February, Thursday 2.30 pm |
We also discussed the items we would require to establish our vegetable garden, which included four bags of compost costing between RM45 and RM50 a bag, Vegetable seeds/seedlings, Gardening tools (Cangkul, spa Composting bins- 2 (RM40 per bin), Goat dung, Cow dung, and chicken dung costing RM5 a bag, Compost frame, Polybags and Bamboo Sticks.
Members would also be required to collect a few items two days prior to the compost-making activity, including:
1. Grass
2. Dried Leaves
3. Fresh Leaves
4. Sugar Cane Residue
5. Cempedak Skin
6. Banana Peels
7. Soya Waste
8. Coconut Waste
We are all very eager to get started on our Organic Vegetable Garden!
About our Vegetable Garden Project
Abstract of Vegetable Garden Project
The SMK (P) Sri Aman Toyota Eco Rangers Club has decided to establish a vegetable garden as a part of the school’s green projects. The Sri Aman Vegetable Garden will be one of the few new gardens in Sri Aman that will be established by students of our club. This Vegetable Garden Project will be carried out by the club members in collaboration with CETDEM as the present club has no experience in establishing a Vegetable Garden. CETDEM will be hopefully collaborating with our club in the following aspects:
- Guiding us to prepare a full landscaping project paper on the Vegetable Garden for presentation purposes
- Assisting us in the planning of the Vegetable Garden which includes (The vegetables we will be planting, the type of soil suitable for the garden, the steps to establish the garden, the cost of establishing the garden and etc.)
- Supervising us from time to time during the period of establishing the garden
- Sponsoring us with the seedlings of the Vegetables which needs to be planted
- Continuously advising us to maintain the garden
The Sri Aman Vegetable Garden will consist of fast and easy– growing vegetables. The vegetables planted here should also be long lasting and will continue growing once harvested. The harvesting period for all the vegetable in the garden should be during the same period. The vegetables that are harvested will be sold to the school and the community to raise funds for the Environmental Club. This garden will also be a fully organic garden and no chemical fertilizers will be used in the garden. The plants will be fertilized by bio enzyme and compost. Labels with information on the vegetables will also be put up for every species of vegetable planted for learning purposes.
Objectives
- To enhance gardening skills among Toyota Eco Ranger Club Members
- To reduce the impact of global warming on the environment via planting vegetables
- To increase the awareness among Sri Amanians on the importance of preserving and conserving the environment
- To raise funds for the club as the vegetables can be sold to the school canteen vendor, students and teachers
- To create a fully organic garden in Sri Aman
- To educate Sri Amanians on the various species of vegetables
- To allow students to carry out research on plants using the vegetables planted as specimens
Establishing Process
- Having a meeting with CETDEM Project Coordinator, Miss Tan to discuss about the project paper and few other aspects on the garden
- Preparing the project paper and obtaining approval for the budget from the school
- Preparing the plot of land by working up the soil and adding in top soil
- Getting contractors to help build a brick-based frame for the garden and a shade
- Obtaining the seedlings of the vegetables and start to plant them
- Putting in compost and bio enzyme to fertilize the plants
- Watering the vegetables daily and maintaining the garden
Suggestion of plants
- Sawi
- Kang Kong
- Lettuce
- Bayam
- Parsley
- Chilly Padi
- Okra
- Onion
Conclusion
We, the members of the Toyota Eco Rangers Club hope that the Vegetable Garden Project will be a huge success and we hope to obtain full support from the school and CETDEM.
A Week's Worth of New Year's Resolutions for a Lifetime of Change
The key to making New Year's resolutions stick is to form new habits. We have seven ideas – one for each day of the week – to help you eat better, exercise more and otherwise live better in 2011.
By Dan Shapley
The New Year's resolutions you keep are those that become new habits. How do you create new habits? One of the best ways is to break down your larger goals – whether that's bettering your health, as it so often is after holiday binging, bettering yourself or bettering the world at large – into bite-sized mantras and rules.
The larger goal has to be meaningful – you have to really want it – and the stepwise goals have to be specific and achievable. (I will lose weight by eating a healthier diet … by swapping my afternoon cookie habit for the habit of an afternoon carrot.)
It can be hard to tackle many goals at once, but here's one strategy: Identify one thing to focus on each day of the week, and before long the devotion to each day's goal will infuse the whole week's activities. Here are some of our favorite ideas:
Meatless Mondays
You're convinced that a vegetarian diet – or at least a diet with more vegetables than the one you eat today – is healthier for you and the planet, but despite the evidence, you can't get on board with such a big change in your diet. So just go meatless on Mondays. It's a growing nationwide trend with its own organization and Website. Eating vegetarian one day a week will give you the space you need to get comfortable with new vegetarian recipes, and before you know it, you'll be eating more vegetarian meals throughout the week.
You're convinced that a vegetarian diet – or at least a diet with more vegetables than the one you eat today – is healthier for you and the planet, but despite the evidence, you can't get on board with such a big change in your diet. So just go meatless on Mondays. It's a growing nationwide trend with its own organization and Website. Eating vegetarian one day a week will give you the space you need to get comfortable with new vegetarian recipes, and before you know it, you'll be eating more vegetarian meals throughout the week.
Need some help? Try one of these, our picks for the best sustainable cookbooks and food books of 2010.
Trashy Tuesdays
Take a cue from New York City schools, which started Trayless Tuesdays as a way to experiment with reducing the number of polystyrene (Styrofoam) trays thrown out in its cafeterias. Focus your attention on Tuesdays on your personal waste stream – at mealtime, at home, at work, at the grocery store, at play. Just like time, waste is money: You can learn a lot about how you're wasting money, as well as energy and natural resources, if you examine what you're throwing out each day. (Try The Green Cheapskate's trashcan autopsy if you don't believe it.)
Take a cue from New York City schools, which started Trayless Tuesdays as a way to experiment with reducing the number of polystyrene (Styrofoam) trays thrown out in its cafeterias. Focus your attention on Tuesdays on your personal waste stream – at mealtime, at home, at work, at the grocery store, at play. Just like time, waste is money: You can learn a lot about how you're wasting money, as well as energy and natural resources, if you examine what you're throwing out each day. (Try The Green Cheapskate's trashcan autopsy if you don't believe it.)
Why not start at home, with a DIY energy audit, which will help you identify how you're wasting energy so you can spend a future Tuesday weatherizing your home.
Wacky Wednesdays
If you're like us at The Daily Green, you love the idea of DIY creativity and self-sufficiency, but you struggle to find the time to start and complete new projects. The solution? Set aside a couple hours every week to give yourself the time to create. Whether you're making gifts, turning trash into crafts or hacking your home to boost its value and efficiency, the key ingredient of success is time.
If you're like us at The Daily Green, you love the idea of DIY creativity and self-sufficiency, but you struggle to find the time to start and complete new projects. The solution? Set aside a couple hours every week to give yourself the time to create. Whether you're making gifts, turning trash into crafts or hacking your home to boost its value and efficiency, the key ingredient of success is time.
Thankful Thursdays
So much of life's anxieties – especially when it comes to goal-setting – is focused on what we're not doing well, and what we're not doing right. Take the time once a week to relax and appreciate what you have. Spend time with family or friends, write a letter – or reflect on all the progress you're making on those other resolutions.
So much of life's anxieties – especially when it comes to goal-setting – is focused on what we're not doing well, and what we're not doing right. Take the time once a week to relax and appreciate what you have. Spend time with family or friends, write a letter – or reflect on all the progress you're making on those other resolutions.
Fruitful Fridays
Did you know that three-quarters of Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables? At a minimum, U.S. health agencies recommend eating three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit every day. Even if you are in the minority of Americans that achieves this goal, it can't hurt to diversify with new fruits and vegetables that have different phytonutrients. So make Fridays a day to try a new fruit or vegetable – and make it a fresh seasonal fruit or veggie whenever possible for the best flavor and nutritional profile.
Did you know that three-quarters of Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables? At a minimum, U.S. health agencies recommend eating three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit every day. Even if you are in the minority of Americans that achieves this goal, it can't hurt to diversify with new fruits and vegetables that have different phytonutrients. So make Fridays a day to try a new fruit or vegetable – and make it a fresh seasonal fruit or veggie whenever possible for the best flavor and nutritional profile.
Get Outside Saturdays
Most of us start the New Year with some sort of exercise goal – whether it's hitting the floor for some pushups, or the gym for a daily workout. But for those of us who have tried and failed to make exercise a part of our routines, a big problem is fatigue – not physical fatigue, but mental. The treadmill isn't any more exciting on Saturday than it was on Friday. So start an exercise regimen, or spice up your existing routine, with a regular workout outdoors. Whether it's biking on a new rail trail, hiking at a forest preserve or ice skating on a local pond, adding an element of exploration to your week will deepen your connection with the outdoors while improving your health – naturally.
Most of us start the New Year with some sort of exercise goal – whether it's hitting the floor for some pushups, or the gym for a daily workout. But for those of us who have tried and failed to make exercise a part of our routines, a big problem is fatigue – not physical fatigue, but mental. The treadmill isn't any more exciting on Saturday than it was on Friday. So start an exercise regimen, or spice up your existing routine, with a regular workout outdoors. Whether it's biking on a new rail trail, hiking at a forest preserve or ice skating on a local pond, adding an element of exploration to your week will deepen your connection with the outdoors while improving your health – naturally.
Good Samaritan Sundays
Generosity takes practice, just like anything else. Make good works a habit by doing one new good deed once a week. Maybe it's volunteering (or planning a volunteer vacation), donating money (or even cell phones, clothes or other items) or just lending a hand to a neighbor. Whatever it is, you can make doing good a habit in 2011 by doing one good deed once a week.
Generosity takes practice, just like anything else. Make good works a habit by doing one new good deed once a week. Maybe it's volunteering (or planning a volunteer vacation), donating money (or even cell phones, clothes or other items) or just lending a hand to a neighbor. Whatever it is, you can make doing good a habit in 2011 by doing one good deed once a week.
Join the discussion about New Year's resolutions on Facebook.
Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/2011-new-years-resolutions#ixzz1AWKoGmXA
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