Join us for a transformative five-day training in the heart of Borneo's majestic Maliau Basin, also known as 'The Lost World of Sabah'. Immerse yourself in the captivating realm of ecosystem restoration as we explore the wonders of this pristine rainforest. 

You'll also be able to witness firsthand the ecosystem restoration efforts being done in INIKEA, a world-class lab that has been dedicated to ecosystem restoration for over 20 years. 

Ecosystem degradation has taken a toll on our planet, affecting biodiversity, human health, and economic well-being. With over 75% of the Earth's terrestrial areas substantially degraded, the urgency to act has never been greater. Thankfully, there is hope on the horizon.

The United Nations has declared 2020-2030 as the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to revive the natural world that sustains us all. Preferred by Nature is honoured to be one of the Actors driving this global initiative, and we invite you to join us in shaping a brighter future.  

This comprehensive course will equip you with the knowledge and essential tools required to support the global effort to restore ecosystems and mitigate climate change. Through a harmonious blend of invigorating classroom sessions and field exercises in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area and the renowned INIKEA forest rehabilitation project by IKEA, you'll discover the critical stakes at hand and unravel the profound connection between healthy ecosystems and limiting global warming.

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to engage in fun activities such as birdwatching and exploring the night scene in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area.  

Prepare to explore Preferred by Nature's Ecosystem Restoration Standard and dive deeper into international case studies from diverse ecosystems. You'll also navigate the crucial aspects of carbon projects, discovering their role as nature-based solutions in combating climate change and their connection to ecosystem restoration. With every step of the journey, you'll unlock invaluable insights into the realm of ecosystem restoration and unearth the power to make a tangible difference in the world's ecosystems.  

The training will be held for five days between 17 February to 21 February 2025 in Maliau Basin Conservation Area - Sabah, Malaysia. Please note that the course is conducted in English. Participants must have sufficient language skills to fully engage in presentations, group exercises, discussions, and examinations.

The training event programme can be found here. The updated version of the programme will be published shortly. We encourage you to also read about a former participant's insight to get a sense of the topics covered and get in touch with us in case of questions.

Optional excursion

Extend your stay for an awe-inspiring 4-day, 3-night excursion: 'The Wonders of Maliau Basin'. This unforgettable journey will allow you to delve deeper into the enchanting ecosystem, immersing yourself in its hidden treasures. 

This optional excursion is priced at MYR 2,580 (approximately USD 580) for a single room, or MYR 2,090 (approximately USD 470) for a shared room. The price includes full meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), accommodation at the Maliau Basin Studies Centre of MBCA, and guided activities. Please note, the price excludes VAT and airport transfers and can be paid directly on-site. 

If you are interested in this, make a mark of this under the comments on the registration form.

Seize the moment and embark on a transformative journey that will shape your understanding of ecosystem restoration and its pivotal role in our world today.

For our other courses, please take a look at our Training Calendar 2025 or contact us at training@preferredbynature.org.

Course fee and discount options

The cost of participating in this five-day training course is 4,000 USD, excluding optional excursion and VAT. This amount is divided into two equal parts, each covering the following:
•    Course tuition and training materials
•    Meals (breakfast, coffee breaks, lunches, and dinners), logistics to and from Tawau Airport (TWU), accommodation at Maliau Basin Studies Centre of MBCA, and small excursions during training days.

Special early bird price offer: (10% from full price, Code: EB10): 3,600 USD if you sign-up and pay latest two months prior (valid until 17 December 2024).

We offer a special discount of 30% for NGOs, 20x20 initiative, the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration, partners on the UN Decade, the FAO Task Force on Ecosystem Restoration Best Practices, FSC Network Partners, and university/college staff/students (Code: NGO30). Only a single discount can be applied per participant. All discounts are calculated from the full course fee.

Accommodation and practical information

The training course venue is Maliau Basin Conservation Area. After registering, we will get in touch with you about travel logistics and requirements and provide information about accommodation details.

Hear from our trainer