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 from 13 to 17 April 2026 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 standard training agenda is available here. The updated version of the programme will be published shortly. We encourage you to also read a former participant's insight to get a sense of the topics covered, and you can also find the infosheet here. 

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 

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.

Discounts available

• Early Bird Discount: 10% off (Code: EB10) – Course fee: USD 3,600 if you sign up and pay by 13 January 2026.
• Returning Participants: 15% off (Code: RP15) for those who attended any Preferred by Nature paid event in 2025.
• Group Combo Discount: 20% off (Code: GC20) for two or more attendees from the same organisation.
• NGO & Partner Discount: 30% off (Code: NGO30) 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 (please see the list here), and university/college staff/students. 

Note: 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

Cancellation

Cancellation is free of charge up until two weeks before the course starts, after which we will need to charge a cancellation fee, 25% from standard course fee, unless specified otherwise.

Register for the course

We look forward to receiving your registration for the course, please fill in the form below.