New Online Resources Create Experiential Learning Opportunities about Singapore's Biodiversity

NParks launches wide range of programmes and activities to engage community, in conjunction with the Clean & Green Singapore 2012 campaign

24 Oct 2011 - The National Parks Board (NParks) has introduced new online resource packages on eight parks and nature reserves.  Launched in conjunction with the Clean and Green Singapore (CGS) 2012 campaign, the resource packages, or "Learning Journeys", comprise lesson plans for educators and worksheets for students aged 7 to 16. 

This is in line with NParks' commitment to engage and inspire communities, one of the key areas of focus under the City in a Garden (CIAG) framework, unveiled two months ago.  Mr Ng Cheow Kheng, Deputy Director (Horticulture and Community Gardening) at NParks elaborated, "To transform Singapore into a City in a Garden, we need to harness the energies and passion of the community.  That is why NParks is launching a wide variety of programmes and activities to engage all Singaporeans.  Through new online resources and free guided walks, you can enjoy the benefits of experiential learning about our rich biodiversity.  You can also do your part to improve the environment by planting a tree or tending a garden.  We invite everyone to join the Community in Nature network and make Singapore a greener, more endearing home for all."

Through the Learning Journeys, students can learn about the rich biodiversity in our parks and gardens, and develop a sense of ownership about our green heritage.  The content of the Learning Journeys is closely aligned to the school syllabus, and augments the student's knowledge of Singapore's history and biodiversity. 

For example, the Learning Journey on Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, an Asean Heritage Park, will provide students with an insight into one of Singapore's largest surviving primary rainforests, which has been left almost undisturbed despite rapid urbanisation.  Through worksheets and role-playing exercises, students will appreciate the challenges of biodiversity conservation in a densely populated country with no hinterland, and explore pragmatic solutions to these challenges.

More DIY trail-guides

To foster an appreciation of nature in Singaporeans, NParks will be launching five new Do-It-Yourself (DIY) trail-guides within the next two months.

Complete with maps and photographs, the new guides will highlight historical landmarks and interesting flora and fauna along walking trails in Admiralty Park, Changi Point Coastal Walk, Lower Peirce and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. 

For example, the Lower Peirce trail is a haven for biodiversity.  Its DIY guide will contain information and pictures of native forest creatures that can be seen along the trail, including the Clouded Monitor Lizard, Common Sun Skink, Plantain Squirrel and Long-tailed Macaque.  The public can also use the guide to identify native birds like the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Striped Tit-babbler and Olive-winged Bulbul. 

DIY trail-guides were first available in 2010.  As these guides are popular with park users, NParks has been adding more walking and cycling guides for trails at parks and park connectors, including seven since the start of this year.  By end-2011, there will be a total of 28 DIY trail-guides.

Activities for the public

As part of CGS 2012, NParks is organising a series of activities for the public, including free guided walks at Fort Canning Park, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and HortPark.  There are also guided tours and workshops for children. 

To showcase Singapore's amazing biodiversity and greenery, the public can continue to submit photographs at http://ciagpc.nparks.gov.sg/ for the year-long CIAG photography competition, jointly organised with The Photographic Society of Singapore.   

Participants stand to win cash prizes worth $29,000 as well as other attractive prizes worth over $27,000.  The overall best winner will enjoy a fully-paid overseas expedition (sponsored by Clarins) to Burkina Faso, West Africa, with ethno-botanist Jean-Pierre Nicolas.

Come 1 November 2011, children from 7 to 12 years old can participate in Junior Category of the competition, presented by Clarins.  Participants stand to win cash prizes worth a total of $5,000. 

More organisations and individuals involved in conserving our natural heritage 

With greater awareness and appreciation of our natural environment among members of the public, more organisations and individuals are contributing to the conservation of our natural heritage through the Garden City Fund (GCF), a registered charity and IPC established by NParks.

One way for individuals and organisations to improve the environment is to participate in the GCF's Plant-A-Tree (PAT) programme.  The PAT provides an avenue for participants to plant trees in designated parks and nature reserves.  To celebrate the launch of CGS 2012, Young NTUC will plant 50 trees at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on 29 Oct.  Since the launch of PAT in 2007, more than 12,000 trees have been pledged and planted by over 18,000 individuals and corporations to-date. 

The public can sign up at www.gardencityfund.org to plant a tree at the following dates and locations:

27 November - Woodlands Waterfront

18 December - Punggol Park

Another way for the public to get involved in conservation is to join the Community in Nature (CIN) network.  Launched in September, CIN aims to engage the community and reconnect them with our natural environment.  Under CIN, the public can take part in nature awareness activities like photography and bird watching.  Those who are keen to deepen their appreciation of nature will then be exposed to more hands-on activities, like plant salvaging and reforestation. To join CIN, the public can sign up at nparks_mailbox@nparks.gov.sg .

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For media enquiries, please contact:

Chen Hsin Yeow, Senior Communications Manager

DID: 6471 7302, HP: 9187 1926 or email: chen_hsin_yeow@nparks.gov.sg 


Jean Heng, Communications Manager

DID: 6471 7844, HP: 9115 9397 or email: jean_heng@nparks.gov.sg 

About National Parks Board

National Parks Board (NParks) is responsible for providing and enhancing the greenery of our City in a Garden. Beyond building green infrastructure, NParks is actively engaging the community to enhance the quality of our living environment.

NParks manages over 300 parks and 4 nature reserves. Adding to this is the extensive streetscape, or roadside greenery, that forms the backbone of our City in a Garden. An island-wide Park Connector Network is also being developed to link major parks, nature areas and residential estates.

As the lead agency on biodiversity conservation, NParks has developed an urban biodiversity conservation model, which aims to conserve representative eco-systems in land-scarce Singapore.  NParks also monitors and coordinates measures to enhance the presence of biodiversity in our urban landscape.

NParks is working closely with partners in the landscape and horticulture industry to increase productivity, and provide training for all levels of the workforce.  Enhancing competencies of the industry will support Singapore's vision of being a City in a Garden. 

For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg and www.facebook.com/nparksbuzz .