A historic memorandum of understanding was signed on 18th July 2000 between WWF Malaysia, University of Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and SERDC aimed at formulating an effective management plan for the conservation of Lower Kinabatangan area.
The signing ceremony was officiated by the Assistant Minister of Tourism Development, Environment, Science and Technology, YB Datuk Haji Nahalan Hj.Damsal while the signatories were Professor Datuk Seri Panglima Dr.Abu Hassan Othman, Vice Chancellor of UMS, Janie Liew on behalf of Dr. Geoffrey Davison, Project Director of WWF for Nature Malaysia and Partners for Wetlands program and Albert Teo, Managing Director of SERDC/Borneo Eco Tours/Sukau Rainforest Lodge.
Other objectives include joint efforts to promote tourism practices that follow internationally accepted standards, disseminating relevant information via seminars, workshops and publications, to obtain baseline information and to develop a database.
At the ceremony, Albert Teo also announced that Sukau Rainforest Lodge will set aside US$1 for every international guest who stays at Sukau Rainforest Lodge back-dated to 1st January 2000 for the funding of projects undertaken by SERDC. These include the purchase of tree seedlings from the local people for the treeplanting project , its planting and maintainence, providing scholarship to local Orang Sungai students in secondary schools up to tertiary level at UMS, to create jobs by boosting the local cottage industries, boat building and introduction of local dance and music at the lodge.
