Latest news with #andConservedAreas
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
Pin Supu forest reserve is Malaysia's first terrestrial site on prestigious conservation list
KOTA KINABALU: The Pin Supu Forest Reserve in Kinabatangan, Sabah, is the first terrestrial site in Malaysia to be included into the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This listing recognises excellence in conservation and protected area management, marking a significant achievement for Pin Supu. Sabah chief conservator of forests Datuk Frederick Kugan said the certification, which was issued in May and valid for a period of five years, places Pin Supu Forest Reserve as among the world's best-managed and most effectively governed protected areas. 'More importantly, this reserve is jointly managed by the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) in collaboration with Kopel Berhad, a community-based cooperative in Kinabatangan,' he added. He said Pin Supu is a Class VI Virgin Forest Reserve, encompassing 4,620 hectares, surrounded by five villages to assist in conservation projects. A 10-year joint forest management agreement (2016-2026) was established between the Sabah government through the SFD and Kopel Berhad. Kugan said this partnership has brought positive outcomes, including nature-based tourism development that benefit local communities and promote sustainable forest management within the Kinabatangan area. He said the journey towards Green List certification began with the formal application in 2021. 'Over the course of four years, the site underwent a rigorous multi-phase process (application phase and candidate phase) to complete the 50 indicators required for the certification. 'This included comprehensive self-assessments, evidence submission through the Compass platform, independent expert evaluations by the expert assessment group for the Green List (EAGL), and a final review and verification by an independent reviewer,' said Kugan. The key milestone was the EAGL site visit, followed by the final reviewer verification in December 2024, he added. He reiterated that managing Pin Supu with the involvement of surrounding communities has given numerous positive impacts – environmental, social and economic benefits, including biodiversity conservation, local empowerment, and income growth. 'This shows the success of joint efforts in promoting environmental sustainability. This IUCN recognition is a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of the Sabah Forestry Department and local community in particular Kopel Berhad,' Kugan said. Earlier in 2022, the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (Simca), also in Sabah, was recognised as the country's first marine IUCN Green Listed Area.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Sabah's Pin Supu Forest Reserve makes history as Malaysia's first terrestrial IUCN Green Listed Site
The Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan. SANDAKAN: The Pin Supu Forest Reserve (FR) in Kinabatangan has been officially recognised as the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, a prestigious global recognition awarded by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for excellence in conservation and protected area management. Pin Supu FR is the first terrestrial site in Malaysia to be IUCN Green Listed. The certificate, issued in May 2025, is valid for a period of five years. Earlier in 2022, the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area (SIMCA), also in Sabah, was recognised as the country's first marine IUCN Green Listed Area. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, pointed out that this achievement places Pin Supu Forest Reserve as among the world's best-managed and most effectively governed protected areas. More importantly, this reserve is jointly managed by the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) in collaboration with KOPEL Berhad, a community-based cooperative in Kinabatangan. Pin Supu is a Class VI Virgin Forest Reserve, encompassing 4,620 hectares, surrounded by five villages to assist in conservation projects A 10-year joint forest management agreement (2016-2026) was established between the Sabah State Government through the SFD and KOPEL Berhad. This partnership has brought positive outcomes, including nature-based tourism development that benefit local communities and promote sustainable forest management within the Kinabatangan area. The journey towards Green List certification began with the formal application in 2021. Over the course of four years, the site underwent a rigorous multi-phase process (application phase and candidate phase) to complete the 50 indicators which included comprehensive self-assessments, evidence submission through the COMPASS platform, independent expert evaluations by the Expert Assessment Group for the Green List (EAGL), and a final review and verification by an independent reviewer. The key milestone was the EAGL site visit, followed by the final reviewer verification in December 2024. Kugan reiterated that managing Pin Supu with the involvement of surrounding communities has given numerous positive impacts – environmental, social and economic benefits, including biodiversity conservation, local empowerment, and income growth. This shows the success of joint efforts in promoting environmental sustainability. This IUCN recognition is a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of the Sabah Forestry Department and local community in particular KOPEL Berhad. The IUCN Green List is a global initiative by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that recognizes and promotes well-managed, effectively governed, and fairly operated protected and conserved areas. Its main goal is to encourage and reward conservation success by assessing areas against globally consistent standards of good governance, sound design and planning, effective management, and positive conservation outcomes.
Associated Press
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Canada and Manitoba collaborating to advance nature protection and climate adaptation
WINNIPEG, MB, March 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Nature is important to our health, culture, and community well-being in Manitoba and across Canada. Conserving nature and halting biodiversity loss is necessary and requires innovation and collaboration. To this end, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are committed to working together and—in partnership with Indigenous peoples—to protect nature across the province. Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Manitoba that sets the stage for the development of a nature agreement to advance nature conservation and protection across the province. Nature agreements are designed to support work to protect critical habitat for species at risk and migratory birds, to lessen impacts and build resilience to climate change, and to address biodiversity loss through the creation and expansion of Protected and Conserved Areas. A nature agreement seeks to provide opportunities for stakeholders, such as environmental non-government organizations, conservation partners, municipalities, and others to collaborate on the stewardship of Manitoba's natural spaces and ecosystems. Nature agreements are also intended to support and expand opportunities for Indigenous leadership in conservation and stewardship. As such, the Government of Canada has committed up to $2 million over the next year, with the support of Manitoba, to enable Indigenous participation in the development of the nature agreement. This unique collaboration will support coming together to make ambitious progress on shared nature priorities, including Indigenous leadership in conservation, as well as advancing progress on Protected and Conserved Areas and action for species at risk and migratory birds. It will take sustained action to continue maintaining and protecting our shared natural heritage. This Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates a collective commitment to work together toward conserving 30% of land and water within Manitoba, and within Canada, by 2030. This work will also help advance domestic and international biodiversity commitments, including the implementation of Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy. Conserving nature goes hand in hand with building resilience to the impacts of extreme weather and climate change. That is why today, in addition to this Memorandum of Understanding, Minister Guilbeault announced that the governments of Canada and Manitoba have established bilateral collaboration to advance shared climate adaptation priorities, in line with Canada's National Adaptation Strategy. Driven by shared values to protect the environment and communities, the collaborative efforts announced today are helping to build a more sustainable and prosperous future in Manitoba and across Canada. Quotes 'Manitoba's vast landscapes and diverse wildlife are a treasure for its people and a vital part of Canada's natural heritage and identity. As climate change and biodiversity loss continue to impact the places we call home across the country and our economy, our government remains committed to protecting wild spaces, preserving biodiversity, enhancing climate resilience, and ensuring Canadians have access to nature. I look forward to working with the province and Indigenous partners to build on this momentum and safeguard the ecological heart of Canada, so future generations can continue to enjoy the places we cherish.' – The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada 'Manitoba's unique ecosystems support local communities and Indigenous peoples by providing jobs, sustaining traditions, and contributing to the economy. Protecting them isn't just about conservation—it's about making sure they remain a resource for future generations. By collaborating with the province and Indigenous partners, we're taking real action to preserve these landscapes.' – The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada Quick facts As of December 2023, 11.1% of Manitoba is protected or conserved in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database. The goal is to conserve 30% of land and water within Manitoba, and within Canada, by 2030. Since 2018, the Government of Canada has invested more than $80 million in area-based conservation projects in Manitoba. Within the heart of Manitoba, the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve spans over 3,000 square kilometres and encompasses a breathtaking array of landscapes, from rolling grasslands and dense forests to pristine lakes and meandering rivers. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, extreme weather events caused $8.9 billion in insured losses in 2024 alone. The new bilateral collaboration between Canada and Manitoba on adaptation is in line with the National Adaptation Strategy, which sets out a long-term vision for adaptation action.
