PM Lee Hsien Loong officially opens Singapore Botanic Gardens Learning Forest

Today, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong officially opened the Learning Forest, a new conservation core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Visitors can now access a network of boardwalks and elevated walkways to explore wetland and rainforest habitats. Highlights of the Learning Forest include the Keppel Discovery Wetlands – the first project in Southeast Asia to recreate a freshwater swamp forest, the SPH Walk of Giants – a collection of some of the region’s tallest tree species, a bambusetum, as well as a showcase of wild fruit trees.

To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, together with Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong, planted trees alongside Advisers for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC and Tanjong Pagar GRC, Mayor of North West District Dr Teo Ho Pin, Chairman of Keppel Corporation and Singapore Press Holdings Dr Lee Boon Yang, as well as corporate partners, students and volunteers.

Located in the Tyersall-Gallop Core, the 10-hectare Learning Forest is an extensive restoration project of the lowland forest and wetland habitats that used to surround the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Detailed site surveys were conducted and reference was taken from early 19^th century maps to restore these former habitats. The Learning Forest was designed to integrate with the Gardens’ existing 6-hectare Rain Forest to form an enlarged forest habitat that will help strengthen the conservation of native flora and fauna. It will form a buffer against the urban development surrounding Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and serve as an important reference for the ongoing research work of restoration ecology around the region. The Learning Forest is next to the 8-hectare Gallop extension, which will be opened to the public by 2018.

To help the National Parks Board (NParks) monitor the long-term ecological health of the Gardens, the community would soon be able to participate in a Citizen Science programme for the Singapore Botanic Gardens. For instance, a habitat enhancement programme with schools would see students participate in reforestation activities and biodiversity surveys at the Learning Forest. 

Keppel Discovery Wetlands

The Learning Forest pays tribute to historic discoveries made by its staff. For example, the 1.8-hectare Keppel Discovery Wetlands was recreated after the environments travelled through by EJH Corner – a former assistant director of the Gardens, who extensively documented the wetland forests of Johor and Singapore. The Wetlands features a carefully curated plant collection of over 200 species, including plants named after some the Gardens’ botanists such as Nathaniel Cantley, Henry Ridley and EJH Corner. The Wetlands, connected by trails and boardwalks, provides an opportunity for the public to access and experience a freshwater swamp habitat in the heart of the city. The restoration effort was supported by a $2.08 million donation from Keppel Corporation through the Garden City Fund (GCF).

SPH Walk of Giants

The SPH Walk of Giants is an elevated boardwalk in the forest which showcases a collection of “giant” trees – most of which, in time, can grow up to at least 60 metres in height (or about 20 storeys high). It is one of several thematic walks in the Learning Forest.

SPH donated S$1.2 million, through the GCF, to co-fund the construction of the elevated boardwalk. The SPH Walk of Giants will take visitors from ground level up to a height of 8 metres and offer them an unobstructed view of the forest floor, mid-forest level and canopy.

Visitor information

Opening Hours: 5am – 12 midnight daily (the SPH Walk of Giants and Keppel Discovery Wetlands will be closed from 7pm to 7am to maintain a conducive habitat for wildlife)

Free admission

Getting here

By Train: Alight at Botanic Gardens MRT Station (Circle Line); 20-min walk to Learning Forest

By Bus: SBS Transit 7, 105, 123, 174,174e; SMRT 75, 77, 106, NR8. Alight at Napier/Holland Road (Tanglin Gate) 10-min walk to Learning Forest & Tyersall Gate (via Tyersall Avenue).