About us
Project M.A.R.S. (Mitigation, Adaptation, Resilience, Space) was founded in 2021 in Balik Pulau, Penang, by Hoyyee and Pop, two individuals deeply committed to sustainable living and ecological restoration. What began as a simple vision to care for the earth has since grown into the transformation of a 1.8-acre plot of former palm oil plantation into a thriving food forest and agroecological sanctuary, alive with biodiversity, creativity, and community spirit. Walking through the land today, one can see fruit trees, herbs, and native plants reclaiming the soil, alongside spaces built for learning, gathering, and sharing. Driven by our mission, we aim to create a space where environmental mitigation, climate adaptation, and resilience are not abstract ideas but guiding principles lived and practiced daily. From its early days, Project M.A.R.S. has worked to be more than just a farm—it has become a living model and an open classroom, offering hands-on solutions to pressing ecological challenges while nurturing awareness, participation, and collaboration. In doing so, it continues to inspire not only the local community but also visitors from further afield who seek to reimagine how we can live in balance with the natural world.
Over the years, Project M.A.R.S. has grown into a dynamic community hub, where people come together to exchange knowledge, learn practical skills, and engage with the natural world. What started as a small-scale initiative has evolved into a space that now offers workshops on tree planting, syntropic agroforestry, composting, natural building, and climate literacy—hands-on experiences designed to make sustainability accessible and relevant to everyday life. Volunteers contribute their energy to maintaining the food forest and supporting ongoing projects, while visitors join educational tours that highlight the richness of local biodiversity and the value of ecological resilience and conservation. The land also serves as a meeting ground and support for collaborative events, from our Grow Community Market that showcase local crafts and green initiatives to our Earth Fest that create opportunities for dialogue, music, and cultural exchange. By weaving together traditional ecological knowledge and forward-looking practices, Project M.A.R.S. continues to demonstrate practical pathways toward sustainable living, encouraging individuals and communities to take active steps in building resilience and strengthening their relationship with the environment.