Illustration by Kai Xuan (@charlottekaix)

Every story we’ve ever written begins with a tree. It’s easy to forget that between editing drafts and designs, clicking through photos, flipping through schedules and glossy pages, and chasing deadlines, but on October 4th, the members of ETC Magazine found themselves standing right where every magazine story truly begins: in the middle of a forest.

This time, the assignment wasn’t about interviews or layout design. It was about rolling up sleeves, picking up gloves, and giving back to the very roots of creativity, which was nature itself.

Fifteen Etc. Magazine members gathered at the Kota Damansara Community Forest Reserve (KDCF) for a day of clean-up, maintenance, and quiet rediscovery. Guided by the forest’s own community representatives, volunteers were split into groups to tackle litter collection, trail restoration, and minor upkeep along the forest paths.

What started with a few sleepy faces and late arrivals quickly turned into a morning filled with laughter, teamwork, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. Early birds took the lead while the rest regrouped, catching up in both energy and enthusiasm. And when trash bags and gloves ran short, teamwork (and a few quick requests to the KDCF team) kept everything running smoothly.

The sun was relentless, the trails uneven, and the mosquitoes unforgiving, but none of that dimmed the spirit of the group. Short hydration breaks and cheerful banter kept everyone going. Every piece of litter picked up and every patch of trail restored felt like a small victory, a way to make a difference one step at a time.

Along the way, volunteers learned more about the forest’s biodiversity, conservation efforts, and how small acts like carrying out your own trash or protecting native plants, ripple into long-term sustainability. The KDCF representatives shared insights on how the reserve serves as both a green lung for the city and a reminder of what’s worth protecting.

The event wasn’t just about environmental awareness; it was about reconnecting with one another beyond the walls of Taylor’s University. Between hauling trash bags and comparing who found the “weirdest item” in the forest, the ETC team found themselves bonding in unexpected ways. It wasn’t the usual editorial meeting, but somehow, it captured the same energy — creative, collaborative, and a little chaotic, in the best way.

By the end of the day, shoes were muddy, gloves were worn thin, and smiles came easily. Together, the team completed the planned clean-up and minor trail restoration activities, while building camaraderie that couldn’t have been scripted better if it were an article itself.

The success of the CSR project didn’t just lie in the cleaned trails or the collected litter, it was in the shared sense of purpose that took root among the members. ETC Magazine also strengthened ties with the Kota Damansara Community Forest Society, opening doors for future collaborations in conservation and awareness.

This experience reminded us that stories don’t just live on screens or in print. They live in action, in the places we choose to care for, and in the people we choose to care with.

So maybe the next time we hold a printed issue of Etc. Magazine, we’ll remember this: behind every page lies a forest worth writing about.