Main lake at Cyberjaya Lake Gardens

In the heart of Cyberjaya lies a vibrant and vital piece of nature—the Cyberjaya Lake Gardens. This 400-acre park, nestled amidst a landscape once dominated by oil palm plantations, secondary forests, and scrublands, serves as a crucial green area for the surrounding urban city. While the area already boasts various visitor facilities, including an information center, boardwalk, lookout tower, and children's playground, the majority of the land remains undeveloped, including a 15-acre main lake and a 29-acre natural wetland.

Sepang Municipal Council's previous activities primarily focused on improving facilities for lake visitors, with less attention paid to lake health or biodiversity. Recognizing this, the Global Environment Centre (GEC) has embarked on an exciting project—the "Community-based Ecological Enhancement of Cyberjaya Lake Garden," with the support of the Sepang Municipal Council. The aim is to restore the 15-acre main lake, enhance biodiversity and water quality, and connect the local community to this important piece of nature .

Lookout tower at Cyberjaya Lake Gardens

A Comprehensive Restoration Approach

The project proposed by GEC is a holistic initiative aimed at restoring the 15-acre main lake—an invaluable natural asset. The project's cornerstone is the use of nature-based solutions, such as wetlands for water filtration, biofilters for stormwater treatment, and habitat creation for biodiversity improvement. Moreover, it actively involves the local community through citizen science initiatives .

Funding from SER’s Standards-based Restoration in Action program in collaboration with Microsoft’s Datacenter Community Affairs team plays a crucial role in turning this vision into reality. The funding will empower communities through workshops, training, educational programs, and awareness campaigns, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to take ownership of this vital ecosystem enhancement .

Equally important is the support from government agencies, especially the local government (Sepang Municipal Council), as they are the custodians of the lake and its surrounding ecosystems. Their involvement in the project working committee, technical input, and on-site support will ensure the project aligns with government environmental policies and remains sustainable.

Little Egret that was spotted at Cyberjaya Lake Gardens

Water Filtration and Biodiversity Enhancement

Firstly, the project will identify the root causes of degradation and pollution through a rapid environmental assessment study. Following this research, GEC will establish wetlands and biofilters using native species to treat water and filter stormwater naturally. These biofilters, positioned at the lake's edges, will improve water quality of stormwater runoff and provide habitat for flora and fauna.

Furthermore, the project aims to enhance species diversity within the lake. A novel approach involves introducing floating wetland cells designed to purify water in areas less suitable for traditional lakeshore biofilters. The rehabilitation of the lake will not only improve water quality and biodiversity but also enhance the park's aesthetics, attracting more visitors .

Wetland Ecosystem of Cyberjaya Lake Gardens

Community Engagement and Education

Crucially, the project goes beyond environmental restoration; it's about fostering a sense of responsibility and community. By engaging nearby local residents, educational institutions, local authorities, government agencies, and Microsoft employee volunteers, GEC aims to ensure the project's sustainability and long-term success.

Community involvement will extend to wetland planting and clean-up campaigns, instilling a sense of ownership and commitment among residents and visitors to the park. These activities will not only maintain the wetland cells and biofilters, but will also enhance monitoring efforts. Thorough monitoring helps evaluate project progress along The Restorative Continuum, outlined in SER’s International Principles & Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration .

What makes this project standards-based ecological restoration?

Employing SER’s standards for this project enhances GEC’s chance of meeting its project goals. Standards-based ecological restoration helps account for complex ecosystem dynamics, navigate trade-offs in land use, address challenges, and increase design and implementation effectiveness. The Community-based Ecological Enhancement of Cyberjaya Lake Garden project aligns with principles outlined in the SER standards by :

1. Incorporating Diverse Knowledge and Capacity: The project integrates a wide range of expertise, including local and indigenous knowledge. Various stakeholders, such as the local community, government agencies (local, state, and national), NGOs/CBOs, educational institutions (universities and schools), and consultants, will provide input during project development and design. Communities will be consulted to harness local knowledge and promote ownership. Partnerships with agencies and stakeholders as part of the working group committee will provide crucial technical support. Additionally, local experts, including nearby indigenous communities, may guide the selection of native wetland plant species, including traditional uses. The project site will also serve as an educational platform for sharing knowledge and raising environmental awareness among the public, local communities, and volunteers.
2. Promoting Inclusivity and Participation: The project actively encourages diverse community involvement, including Microsoft datacenter employees. Activities such as tree and reed planting for wetland cells and biofilters will engage the local community and data center employees. They will receive guidance on monitoring and data collection for ongoing monitoring and site maintenance. The proposed education program will also be open to the public beyond the local community. Collaborations with the Landscape Department and the Town Planning Department of Sepang Local Council, the custodians of the Cyberjaya Lake Garden, will identify opportunities for community and data center employee involvement during and after the project.
3. Identifying and Mitigating Causes of Degradation: The project assesses the impacts of runoff on the lake, which receives water primarily from surrounding green areas and paved roads. A rapid environmental assessment conducted at the project's outset will identify potential direct and indirect causes of degradation. Wetlands and biofilters, using native plants such as umbrella plants, common reeds, and cattails, will address habitat degradation and enhance biological health. Wetlands will serve as aquatic habitats, increasing ecosystem biodiversity and water quality.
4. Enhancing Biodiversity: It is particularly important to boost biodiversity in the project sites by establishing local species, as these are human-made lakes. A rapid assessment will identify reference sites (minimally degraded ecosystems), thus helping establish goals for the project site. Progress will be assessed during the monitoring and evaluation phase, focusing on data recording and observation. Native tree species, including Pulai and Gelam, along with wetland plants, pollinator gardens, and other habitats, will be introduced to increase biodiversity. The release of native fish into the lake will further diversify aquatic life. These initiatives will create habitats that support a healthier aquatic ecosystem and terrestrial biodiversity, including pollinators like birds, bees, and butterflies.
5. Achieving Environmental Benefits and Social Equity: The project will be planned and implemented in a holistic manner to achieve improved environmental and community benefits while minimizing negative impacts.

1. Wetlands and biofilters will be designed and implemented to harmonize with the natural environment, using native plants.
2. Gains in environmental benefits will be monitored through water quality data and biodiversity assessments.
3. Community and stakeholder engagement will incorporate their opinions and concerns to optimize solutions with their well-being in mind.
4. Environmental education programs will be conducted to foster environmental consciousness, and the Lake Ranger program will empower participants to become citizen scientists, contributing to the lake ecosystem restoration.
5. This approach will lead to a more environmentally conscious community. The project will closely engage and empower the public and volunteers, evaluating its impact on daily life and the social economy through questionnaires, activities, and participation.

In adhering to SER standards, the Community-based Ecological Enhancement of Cyberjaya Lake Gardens project is poised to deliver a comprehensive and sustainable restoration effort. Through collaboration, education, and standards-based practices, this project aims to breathe new life into this urban area and set a precedent for ecological restoration in human-made freshwater lakes in Malaysia . 

Microsoft is proud to collaborate with Society and Ecological Restoration to deliver standards-based ecological restoration with the with Global Environment Centre (GEC) in partnership with Majlis Perbandaran Sepang. Learn more here.