If more trees are felled to make way for development and industrialisation, it will eventually make “home” unlivable for society today and for generations to come.
But one woman, Baida Hercus, 46, was passionate about creating greater awareness on the importance of conserving the environment, and founded the Free Tree Society (FTS) in the hope that more people, particularly the young, will learn the importance of plants to humankind’s survival.
So far, FTS has given away over 63,000 saplings since its inception in 2013. They see their biggest turnout on “giveaway” days.
“The free tree is how we draw people into our plant nursery, and from there we educate them about the importance of planting trees and conserving the environment,” Hercus, who is also vice president of FTS, told FMT Lifestyle.
Through its plant nursery in Bangsar, FTS has consistently hosted workshops, classes and talks about biodiversity, rewilding and wildlife habitats, rainwater harvesting, composting, waste management as well as the simple act of planting.
“Once participants have learnt from our workshops, they take a free tree home! We call them our environmental stewards, because they are now more informed and can help work towards a greener society in Malaysia,” Hercus said.
The Bangsar nursery for instance is focused on planting ornamental shrubs, fruit trees and edible plants that can easily be planted in one’s home garden or balcony.
In 2019, a nursery in Taman Tugu was set up for bigger trees in a bid to help with reforestation efforts. Over the years, this nursery has given away many native forest trees to a string of environmental NGOs, schools and even farm owners.
This particular nursery also conducts guided jungle walks so participants can learn about forest conservation and biodiversity loss.
Can’t make a trip to the nursery? Then let the mobile version of FTS, that operates out of a lorry, come to you instead. This “moving nursery” goes to kindergartens and universities in an effort to reach out to children and youth.
They offer educational programmes including hands-on activities such as seed-planting workshops and landscaping projects as well as talks related to climate reality.
“I’ve seen children who haven’t even touched soil before, as they are taught that soil is dirty. We’re here to teach them that it is not. In fact, it is the catalyst for human civilisation and society,” Hercus said.
Hercus said she felt strongly about introducing more greenery into the city when it dawned on her just how many high-rises she was surrounded by in Kuala Lumpur.
Being half-Australian, she said she was inspired by her country’s Arbour Day, which celebrates the importance of trees.
“Back home there used to be a supermarket complex nearby where I stay, where when you pass your receipt to them, they give you a free native plant to take home. Now we give away free trees every day,” she said about FTS.
Statistically, more trees are given away on environmental-related days like World Earth Day and World Environment Day.
Hercus said her own three kids have grown up with strong values about the environment, even proposing to plant certain vegetables themselves when they discovered which they liked to eat the most.
Hercus said the long-term goal of FTS would be to continue their efforts in raising awareness about the environment and inspiring more people to change how they interacted with the planet.
“In your desire to see and experience the world, don’t let it cost you the Earth,” she said.
Follow Free Tree Society on Facebook and Instagram or head to its website for more information.