17 August 2012 | last updated at 12:40AM
By Olivia Miwil
KUALA LUMPUR:Jalan Foxworthy lies within the compound of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in Kepong. It stretches from the administration building to the institute’s picnic area.
The road is named after Dr F.W. Foxworthy, the first chief research officer of FRIM (which was known as the Forest Research Institute before 1985).
The American forest scientist was in the Philippines before he was recruited as a forest officer by Malayan Forest Service assistant inspector-general G.E.S Cubitt.
In 1921, Foxworthy and Cubitt found land between Kepong Village and Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve which could be used to established a forest research unit.
Four years later, the British resident of Selangor agreed to the use of the 324ha plot for experimental plantations, a forest school and investigation work.
The area’s squatters who had been supplying vegetables to the growing town of Kuala Lumpur were asked to vacate the land before the development work began in 1926. Some decided to stay on and work for the institute.
Three generations of Orang Asli men worked for the institute in botanical exploration and plant collection.
Early this year, FRIM was identified as one of the best tropical forest research institutes in the world in a Spanish National Research Council report (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas).
It has also received awards for the oldest wood sample, largest collection of wood samples in Malaysia, longest planted rattan Manau (120m), first DNA fingerprinting database for timber tracking and Denai Razak (400m long) in the Malaysia Book of Records
FRIM is a popular spot for picnickers, joggers and nature groups, and provides visitors opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature education activities.
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