In Kota Kinabalu, many young people grow up surrounded by the beauty of Sabah’s wildlife—yet have never seen a hornbill in flight, a pangolin up close, or heard the deep rumbles of a Bornean elephant in the wild. Despite living in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, urban communities often lack access to forests and real-life experiences that foster a connection with nature. At the same time, passionate youths who care about conservation struggle to find spaces where they can apply what they’ve learned, gain hands-on experience, and turn their passion into a career.

 

Field visit to the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary with the new YEI recruits.

Seratu Aatai aims to change this by pioneering the Youth Education Interpreters (YEI) project for Wildlife Conservation Education in Kota KinabalYouth Education Interpreters for Wildlife Conservation Education in Kota Kinabalu. Led by Seratu Aatai in collaboration with Gaia, Pangolin Aware, and Borneensis, the project will train 15 university students as Youth Education Interpreters (YEI) by equipping them with leadership, public speaking, and environmental education skills. Through this initiative, youths not only deepen their conservation knowledge but also gain real economic opportunities and mentorship, making conservation a visible, viable career path. In the long run, the wider public, especially the younger generation will be empowered with new appreciation and awareness for Sabah’s wildlife, helping to build a more informed and environmentally conscious generation.