I copy hereafter the message from Bernard Eng and thank him for all the preparatory work:

Tree Mapping Initiative

12 October 2014
Sungai Dua, Karak, Bentong

It would be a rare opportunity for you to volunteer and learn about tree mapping in this beautiful permaculture farm from Dr Jean and Dr Khadijah. We will do tree mapping, tree planting, walks at the forest reserve (behind the farm), visit waterfalls and Orang Asli village.

Event Details
Date: 12 October 2014 (Sunday)
Time: 7.00 am - 5.00 pm
Venue: Kampung Sungai Dua, Karak, Bentong, Pahang

Meeting Point:
A & W, Taman Jaya - opposite Amcorp Mall (accessible by Putra LRT Taman Jaya), we will move sharp at 7.30 am, please be punctual.
Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/MJSci
GPS : 03'27.963'N 101'59.497'E

Attached are maps to the farm & layout for everyone's reference.

Compulsory registration form: http://goo.gl/forms/3Z8j1wErOZ

Tentative
7.00 - 7.30 am : Meeting at A & W, Taman Jaya - opposite Amcorp Mall (accessible by Putra LRT Taman Jaya)
7.30 - 9.00 am : Travel to Kampung Sungai Dua, Karak, Bentong, Pahang
9.00 - 10.00 am : Briefing and discussion
10.00 am - 1.00 pm : Tree Mapping
1.00 - 2.00 pm : Lunch
2.00 - 5.00 pm : Continue tree mapping or other activities

Whatever cost to be shared with whoever joining.

By car pooling, you will reduce approximately 40 kg of carbon dioxide (return trip), also equivalent to lesser pollutants release to the environment and less traffic on the road.

For more information about the farm - www.facebook.com/bestgoatsandsheep and tree mapping initiative - www.pericopsis.org

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Bernard

Dear everyone,
On October 12, 2014, we were invited by Mr. Razak and Madan Intan, the owner of “Best Goats and Sheep” farm to visit their farm at kampong Sungai Dua, Bentong, Pahang. The activity was started with breakfast at about 9 am. After, Mr. Razak gave introduction about the farm. To reach the farm, three vehicles of four wheel drive were used to transport the participants.

The participants were highly divers in education background and age range. The youngest participant is Shila who is about 12 years old. Mister Lim is the oldest participant who is already retired and possesses huge knowledge in plants identifications and usages.


Some of participants with Mr. Razak (in red), Mr Lim (in yellow), and Madam Intan (with purple hairband)


Shila, She Mei, Bernard Eng, and Firdaus (Shila's brother)

The scenery surround the farm is splendidly beautiful as it is adjacent to a permanent reserved forest. During the visit, the day was filled with attractive activities namely exploring surround farm area, mapping the trees around the farms, visit the goat and sheep barn, lunch, visit the kelulut nest, and exploring the forest.

Scenery from chalet's veranda

The activity of tree mapping was done manually which involved the searching and the learning how to find the trees on printed Google map, explaining the key character for recognizing the genus and family levels, and sharing the knowledge of the plants usages. For these regards, there were some discussions and moment of gatherings during the mapping.

Jean Weber explains the plant character to Xing Tong (the farm manager)


One of gathering during the mapping activity

Some forest trees presence on the farm area as it is neighbor to permanent reserved forest. The most common ones are jelutong - Alstonia scholaris and terap - Arthocarpus rigidus. The interesting trees to be found on the farm are tualang - Kompassia excelsa, mempening - Lithocarpus and tulang daing - Callerya atropurpurea. In Malesia, Alstonia scholaris and Kompassia excelsa are known to be among the giant trees as they may grow over 50 m tall. With the fact that tulang daing is native to our region and one of the most commonly planted trees on the road side, it was such a nice feeling to see the plant on its natural habitat.

Fruits of Callerya atropurepurea


Flowers of Callerya atropurpurea


Leaves of Callerya atropurpurea

The findings of Quercus is equally exciting. The genus is under family Fagaceae. The local name for Quercus is "Mempening". The presence of any species of Fagaceae in tropical region is rare as the family is typically the temperate one. The most commonly known genus of Fagaceae in our region is Castanea which the seeds commonly sold on street vendor as "Berangan".

Seeds of Lithocarpus sp

I highly appreciate the initiatives those were facilitated by individuals or institutions. From these pass few initiatives, I observed that the tree mapping activities have placed the participants into the track of citizen science where each one was voluntary to contribute and happily to receive the information which bases of the establishment of the common knowledge.

I have a big hope that more and more initiatives of tree mapping will be proposed.

Khadijah