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The Community Alliance for Restoration & Enhanced Sequestration (CARES) has launched a biodiversity restoration initiative at the Ethnobotany Garden, Tasik Laguna, Pagoh, as part of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia's (UTHM) green initiative. This program, a collaboration with Yayasan Sime Darby, Sime Darby Property Pagoh Sdn Bhd, and the Johor State Forestry Department, aims to foster environmental stewardship among youth through hands-on learning.

Fifty students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kota Raja participated, mentored by 44 UTHM biodiversity students. The program centers on the Miyawaki Rapid Afforestation technique, which promotes rapid urban forest development using indigenous species.

Participants learned to cultivate native trees like Hopea odorata and Dipterocarpus sp. The initiative, which aims to support carbon sequestration efforts, also enhances local habitats and microclimates, contributing to UTHM's sustainability goals. Each participant received a Biodiversity Badge recognizing their environmental contributions.