Cultivating community and environmental stewardship through gardening activity

Volunteers with Ms Penny Lim and senior retirees

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) of UTAR Sungai Long Campus partnered once more with the Central 19 Community Garden to organise a gardening and gotong-royong event on 3 March 2024 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Held as part of the orientation programme for the January 2024 trimester, the event marks the third endeavour undertaken by the DSA team to bring the students together. The aims of this initiative were to inspire the university community to recognise the importance of urban biodiversity in maintaining local and global climates, as well as to foster environmental responsibility by fostering principles of conservation and sustainability through activities such as cleaning, gardening, and contributing to the preservation of natural habitats. Additionally, the event sought to enhance public spaces, beautify surroundings, and mitigate environmental degradation.

Moreover, the event sought to provide volunteers with the chance to engage with urban wildlife via a collaborative gardening endeavour with the local community. Despite facing challenges, a group of 20 volunteers, including one university staff member and 19 students, persevered, driven by their collective dedication to environmental stewardship and strengthening community connections.

Participants clearing the overgrown weeds

Participants restructuring the terrain

As seasoned retirees generously shared their knowledge about the diverse array of vegetables and plants in the garden, the students eagerly embraced the task ahead. For many of them, this marked their first venture into gardening, and they approached the opportunity with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

The efforts of the Central 19 Community Garden did not go unnoticed. Recognising their steadfast dedication and significant achievements, the community garden received a grant of RM40,000 from the Malaysian Parliament. Additionally, their latest endeavour involves setting up a hydroponic plant system within a greenhouse. Ms Penny Lim expressed hope that more university students would participate in this community service project and gain insights into hydroponics.

For students who had never previously ventured into gardening, this experience was profoundly enlightening. It underscored the interconnectedness of all living beings and highlighted the significant impact that collective action can have on nurturing dynamic, resilient communities in urban areas.

The gardening gotong-royong event not only achieved its goals of fostering an appreciation for urban biodiversity and instilling a sense of social responsibility among participants, but it also cultivated strong community bonds and personal growth. Through collaboration with the local gardening community, this joint effort emphasised the importance of such initiatives in promoting environmental stewardship and community cohesion.

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) and the Central 19 Community Garden plan to sustain and expand similar programmes in the future. They aim to make meaningful contributions to both the local environment and the holistic development of our university community.