by Ng Sue Sze
The tour to the Mossy forest and the reforestation program was participated by 24 standard 6 students and two teachers from SJK (C) Bertam Valley, 3 volunteers, which included me and our facilitator from REACH, Melody. It was a rainy morning. Before we departed, we were given questionnaires to test our understanding of the importance of the Mossy forest.
The journey up to the watchtower, which is the highest point of Gunung Brinchang forest was quite winding. Luckily our tour guide drove steadily and we reached our destination safely. When we reached the watchtower, the scenery around us was misty due to the rain. Despite being misty, windy and chilly, we managed to clamber up the watchtower safely with the students and was able to snap a few decent pictures of the misty view. However, we had to take extra precaution because the staircase up to the tower was very steep.
Our next point was jungle trekking at the primary forest of the Mossy forest. Before we entered the forest, our tour guide, Uncle Francis and Melody did a good job by explaining the importance of the Mossy forest. 
The Mossy forest is named thus because the tree trunks and branches in the forest are covered with moss. Since the weather in Cameron is humid and damp, the moss would capture/absorb the moisture in the air which accumulated becomes one of the main sources of water to the locals.
It was quite interesting to know that, the Mossy forest is the oldest mossy forest in the world and it even existed during the time of the dinosaurs. Although it was still drizzling, all the students were able to complete the boardwalk safely. A few scenes in the forest gave us the feeling of being on the set of “The Lord of the Rings” because of the mist. It was a beautiful trail. 
The third point was the Bio D Research Centre where we did our reforestation program. REACH is trying to recover parts of the forest where the trees were cut down tremendously. It was a tough journey to climb up the 45 degree steep trail up to the research centre. I was huffing and puffing for air but all the students were able to make it up the hill in 20 minutes time and still remain lively and energetic.
The boys were having a great time up there by rolling on the grass excitedly like monkeys.
After a quick lunch, we started our reforestation activities.
Uncle Francis explained to us the correct way to remove the young baby plant, “Medang Serai” from the black plastic bag to replant it in the ground where he had already dug a hole.
After we had finished planting the Medang Serai, Uncle Francis led us further up the hill. Along the trail, he showed us some herbs such as bilberries, citronella and tea trees used by the locals for medicinal purposes.
We were able to observe a huge comparison between the primary and secondary mossy forests. The ground was hard and bare which was harder for the trees to grow as compared to the muddy and softer ground of the primary forest.
The program ended at around 1pm. We were asked to complete the questionnaire again after we finished the program in order to see how much we have learnt throughout this volunteering experience. It was indeed a great program and effort by REACH to educate and instill awareness to the community about the importance of preserving the environment for the sustainability of human beings.
I like how REACH actually conducts their program in the way that they actually let the participants compare and identify the differences between two stages of the mossy forests. Overall, I would say the program is very practical as the students and teachers are able to see the truth themselves. The students are very interactive and responsive. It would be good if city kids are able to experience this and appreciate nature more. This was a very different kind of volunteering experience for me and I’m glad for the opportunity to have participated in REACH’s environmental programs.
Editor’s Note:
Miss Ng Sue Sze is a friend of Melody’s and works in the tax department of Ernst and Young. Reach would like to thank her for volunteering and writing this article.