Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens Society
It’s Back To Nature For The Kids
The Star Metro, May 23 2003
Tengku Idaura (second from left), Sulleiman (left) and society members having fun under the canopy.
Parents have been encouraged to bring along their children to the Penang Botanic Gardens for fun-filled and educational activities on June7, from 9am to 7pm. The function to be held in conjunction with World Environment Day 2003 will include the Mr and Miss “Green Angles” fashion contest, where children will parade in costumes adorned with flowers, leaves or recyclable materials.
Friends of the Botanic Gardens Society (FOPBGS) president Tengku Idaura Tengku Ibrahim said the contest would begin at 11.30am and parents are advised to make the costumes before hand.
“There will also be a fruit and vegetable carving demonstration by the master chef of Rasa Sayang Resort and a colouring contest using natural dyes, flowers and plants from the gardens.
“Other interesting events include nature study, family nature walk, traditional games and nature craft such as the stringing of bracelets using seeds, making of rain sticks, paper and printing T-shirts with leaves.
Tengku Idaura (second from left) showing green crusader Don Theseira (right) a rain stick.
“An awareness campaign on plastic bag recycling will also be held and those who bring 50 or more used but clean plastic bags will receive a free canvas bag,” she told a press conference yesterday.
Also present were group communication director Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman, the society’s outreach coordinator Katharine Chua and green crusaders Don Theseira and Mylene Ooi.
Interesting prizes for the various contests include rooms stays and buffet meals worth about RM 15,000 at Rasa Sayang Resort and Golden Sands Resort, Bukit Merah theme park entrance tickets, guide books and ice-cream vouchers. To instill the awareness among the public on the need to recycle plastic bags, society members and volunteers had collected over 3,500 plastic bags from about 50 households to make a canopy. The plastic bags were weaved within 10 weeks and the canopy is being displayed at the Botanika Garden Shop. The people are also encouraged to bring their plastic bags to be placed at designated bins at the shop.