As part of its commitment to conserving Malaysia’s rich biodiversity, the Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre (TRCRC) continues to advance its Tropical Rainforest Living Collections (TRLC) programme, an initiative dedicated to safeguarding threatened tropical rainforest plant species and supporting long-term ecosystem restoration.
The TRLC programme establishes and maintains living conservation sites in Elmina (Selangor), Banun (Perak) and Merisuli (Sabah). These sites serve as important reservoirs for native rainforest species, where seeds collected from endangered, rare and threatened (ERT) species are germinated, nurtured and grown into planting materials for future forest restoration efforts.
The development of each Living Collection follows a structured six-stage conservation process, beginning with species selection and seed collection, followed by seed germination, nursery cultivation, field planting, maintenance and long-term monitoring. This systematic approach helps ensure the successful establishment and survival of native rainforest species while contributing to the rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems.
Beyond conservation, the programme aims to foster greater environmental stewardship among communities by creating opportunities for public participation in forest restoration activities. Through education, outreach and hands-on conservation experiences, TRCRC seeks to inspire a stronger sense of responsibility towards environmental protection while contributing to climate change mitigation and the restoration of Malaysia’s tropical rainforests.
Recent Highlights
In September 2025, in partnership with Sime Darby Property (SDP) under the Elmina Urban Biodiversity Corridor (EUBC) project, TRCRC continued its efforts to support urban rewilding and ecological restoration within the City of Elmina. The initiative aims to reconnect the Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve to the surrounding urban landscape through the restoration of ecological corridors. To date, across three phases of the project, ten tree-planting activities have been carried out along the Subang River, which serves as a key ecological corridor for wildlife movement and habitat connectivity. A total of 3,241 native trees have been planted, contributing to the long-term restoration of the landscape and enhancement of urban biodiversity, with additional planting activities planned for the year ahead.
In September 2024, TRCRC conducted a seed collection expedition in Pos Lanai, Pahang, following reports of flowering and fruiting activity among target Dipterocarp species. The team successfully collected 3,976 seeds and wild fruits from 10 species, including Dipterocarpus cornutus, a species listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. These seeds are currently being cultivated at the Elmina Living Collection Nursery in Shah Alam for future restoration initiatives.
Building on these conservation efforts, TRCRC also organised the “Caring for Our Forest” Workshop in October 2024 at the Elmina Rainforest Knowledge Centre (ERKC). The programme engaged 45 members of the public through conservation talks, guided nursery tours, and hands-on seedling transplanting activities, providing participants with a deeper understanding of rainforest restoration and conservation practices.