2009 Seed Grants Recipient: Noah Jackson

Project: Finding the Seeds

A previous recipient of 2008 Seed Grants, Noah continues his work with the forest communities in Baram and Limbang, Sarawak documenting local ecological knowledge. A photographer and writer, Noah creates a landscape of images through his lens, unearthing stories hidden from the urban world.

Forest Voices encompasses not only capturing knowledge through photography but also through holding workshops, such as seed and tree sharing workshops in order to utilize forest knowledge into wider practices. These workshops intend to create a platform where forest experts can share and exchange ideas on collection, planting and managing wild trees in their lands, farm plots or in hunting and gathering forests.

The project also involves the completion of a long-term book project on forest knowledge and management as well as two children’s books on forest culture.

Visit Hope in Light for more information.

2009 Seed Grants Recipient: Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Bird Group (Selangor Branch)

Project: My Garden Birds Census

Working in the Selangor state of Malaysia, the MNS Bird Group (Selangor Branch) will be conducting a long-term project involving enthusiastic birdwatchers and their families to conduct biannual census of the bird life in urban residential areas. The project will take off in Klang Valley where the birdwatchers primarily reside and eventually will be expanded to include other states through MNS’s branch networks in the country.

The objective of conducting this census is to provide an idea of the population health of various kinds of birds, both migrant and resident, that can be found in urban gardens and to gauge the bird species distribution in various residential areas across the Selangor state.

The first census of its kind in Malaysia, this project compliments the vision of Wild Asia to involve more urban folks in safeguarding their natural surroundings and wildlife. As this project involves birdwatchers and their families, it is also encouraging when conservational values are shared with families and passed down to our young ones as well as creating greater awareness among the urban communities.

For more information on MNS Bird Group (Selangor Branch), visit piedfantail.com

2009 Seed Grants: Lisa Safarik

Project: The Seedy Food Report

A film-maker, Lisa had worked with Pun Pun Sustainable Living and Learning Centre in Northern Thailand, producing a web documentary about the Centre’s work in fostering community-based agricultural sustainability and the philosophy behind it. The importance of seed-saving and empowering Thai farmers were ultimately highlighted in this documentary which then sparked an educational production in Thai for Thai farmers as they are not exposed to information concerning the food systems and hence, vulnerable to fall victim to manipulation.

“Many people are simply unaware of what is really going on with our deteriorating food situation and the collective long term negative effects that emerge from this lack of information. We intend to address a broad audience since the state of our food affects everyone.” – Lisa Safarik

“The Seedy Food Report” is an extension of this Thai educational piece, to highlight the complexities of the global food system in crisis. Right from the beginning of seed sowing to the critical food situation, the documentary will be produced in hope to foster more sustainable agriculture. Due to its global relevance, the documentary will be translated into English for international audience and will also be subtitled into languages of non-English speaking countries respectively.

For more information on Lisa Safarik’s work, visit Tangent.