MANY people believe they know nature. They recognise the green of trees, the chirps of songbirds and wildlife glimpsed through documentaries.
But beneath these familiar sights and sounds lies a complex web of ecological processes that often go unnoticed.
Despite growing environmental awareness, genuine environmental literacy remains elusive.
This knowledge gap is illustrated by the Baseline Study on Biodiversity Conservation, cited in Malaysia’s National Policy on Biological Diversity (NPBD) 2022–2030, which found that while 64% of members of the public surveyed had heard of biodiversity, only 9% had a basic or advanced understanding of it.
Poor understanding of what biodiversity is, why it is important and how we should manage it has been a constant obstacle to effective biodiversity conservation in Malaysia.
As Malaysia continues to urbanise, moving beyond surface-level understanding of the environment has become essential to fostering environmental stewardship.
Without this understanding, even well-intentioned actions can cause harm. Clearing native plants in a neighbourhood, for instance, may destroy essential habitats for local pollinators, while releasing non-native pet fish into lakes can disrupt aquatic food webs and threaten the ecosystem.
Ultimately, biodiversity education goes beyond simply appreciating nature. It equips communities with the knowledge to value and protect the living systems around them.
Grounded in the conviction that communities flourish when residents take ownership as nature’s custodians, Sime Darby Property Bhd continues to bridge the knowledge gap by embedding urban biodiversity into township planning, design and implementation.
“At Sime Darby Property, our approach to sustainable township development extends beyond the built environment. We believe thriving communities are those that are connected to their surroundings and understand the role they can play in protecting them,” said Sime Darby Property chief marketing and sales officer Datuk Lai Shu Wei.
Rather than treating green elements as an afterthought, nature is integrated into developments in a structured, measurable way.
By planning and constructing with nature in mind, ecosystems are given the space they need to function, allowing communities to feel the benefits in everyday life.
However, living alongside nature is only one part of the equation; knowing how to safeguard it requires hands-on involvement.
Taking this commitment a step further, the developer has launched an urban biodiversity campaign which brings together educational and practical, hands-on activities directly into its communities.
Under its “Know Your Naturehood” initiative, the campaign seeks to translate this vision into action by bringing residents closer to the natural environments around them.
“Through the ‘Know Your Naturehood’ campaign, we aim to deepen awareness and appreciation of biodiversity within our townships, turning knowledge into greater stewardship and collective action to safeguard our natural environment for future generations,” said Lai.
Connecting with nature
Running from Oct 24, 2026 to Jan 16, 2027, the campaign features a range of family-friendly activities that invite residents and the wider community to connect with the biodiversity thriving within Sime Darby Property’s townships.
Rather than simply observing nature from afar, the activities immerse participants in the rich ecosystems around them through guided experiences.
For avid birdwatchers and curious beginners alike, the initiative delivers a series of eight avian exploration opportunities led by the Nature Sustainable Ecosystem Society (NEST).
Participants will be guided on how to spot, identify and document local bird species within participating parks and townships.
By leveraging NEST’s expert guidance, this series fosters practical observation skills and highlights township parks as vital biodiversity refuges.
Nature exploration takes a different form at KL East Park, where participants can discover the forest’s hidden wonders on a guided nature walk.
The activity offers participants an immersive morning of ecological discovery within the urban rainforest along the Gombak–Selangor Quartz Ridge.
With Georimba Solutions’ expertise, participants can gain a deeper understanding of how the park serves as a carbon sink and vital green corridor within urban landscapes.
As night falls, the park invites families to discover the rainforest after dark through the night walk activity.
The experience brings nocturnal biodiversity to life by allowing participants to explore aquatic habitats and spot nocturnal insects guided by facilitators from AnakUmiSukaHutan and wildlife photographer Raiandy Ramli.
Awareness and education
Alongside guided walks, the campaign extends the experience with interactive educational activities that make conservation accessible and engaging for all ages.
The fish race activity offers a hands-on introduction to aquatic conservation, educating local communities on native fish protection. Led by NatureTech Resources and personnel from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), the activity challenges participants to identify and remove invasive fish from designated areas using fishing nets and traps.
Meanwhile, the wildlife coexistence activity, conducted by the Langur Project Penang (LPP), aims to educate participants in understanding human-primate interactions in shared urban environments.
The session highlights how informed community action can help protect wildlife while supporting a harmonious coexistence between people and primates.
For younger children, WanderLab, a programme organised by Knowledge: New Old Twists (KNOTs), teaches ecological stewardship through immersive, multi-sensory activities. Through interactive storytelling, puzzles and journaling, children are encouraged to explore the forest’s textures, sounds and scents, fostering a deeper connection with nature.
Beyond education and awareness, Sime Darby Property’s urban biodiversity campaign encourages communities to take an active role in ecological restoration through tree-planting activities, allowing participants to gain first-hand experience in the restoration of green spaces.
Activities will take place at Sime Darby Property townships and locations across the Klang Valley, including KL East Park and Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur; City of Elmina in Shah Alam; PARC in Subang Jaya; Bandar Bukit Raja Wetland Townpark in Klang; Serenia City in Dengkil, and Ara Damansara in Petaling Jaya.
Other locations include The Rock in Bandar Ainsdale, Taman Tasik Ujana Nilai Impian in Nilai, and Bandar Universiti Pagoh in Johor.
