The National Parks Board sees 25% increase in active volunteers for 2013
30 Nov 2013
Prime Minister Lee announces Tengah Nature Way initiative to involve community in co-creating Singapore as a City in a Garden
Singapore, 30 November 2013 - The National Parks Board (NParks) reported a 25% increase in active volunteers over the past year, signifying a growing interest in volunteering for biodiversity conservation. NParks has over 1,000 volunteers serving on a regular basis; more than half of the new volunteers were involved in the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey (CMBS), a national initiative to take stock of Singapore’s marine life. Today, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong presented 10-year service awards to NParks’ volunteers in recognition of their long-term commitment.
Prime Minister Lee also highlighted plans to involve the community in making Singapore greener and richer in biodiversity, including the launch of public planting for Tengah Nature Way in the first quarter of next year. The launch will be a joint effort between NParks and South West Community Development Council, involving grassroots organisations, NGOs, schools, and residents. Prime Minister Lee was the Guest-of-Honour at the opening of the Singapore Botanic Gardens Heritage Museum and Living in a Garden exhibition. Apart from giving out awards, he also planted the 1963rd tree in the 1963 Commemorative Tree Planting initiative. The event marked the end of a year-long series of activities and events held to commemorate 50 Years of Greening Singapore.
Mr Poon Hong Yuen, NParks’ Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our volunteer programme started in the early 1990s with 50 people. Today, we are very encouraged to count more than 1,000 active volunteers as our friends and partners. They generously contribute their time, including weekends, to lead tours, run programmes and participate in surveys. As we commemorate 50 Years of Greening Singapore and look to the future, we encourage more people to join us in creating a greener and more endearing City in a Garden.”
NParks’ volunteers
NParks has over 1,000 active volunteers, 200 more than the figure recorded in 2012. More than half of the new volunteers participated in the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey (CMBS), a national initiative to take stock of our marine ecosystem, species diversity and distribution.
This year, NParks is recognising 12 volunteers who have served for 10 years or more. These dedicated volunteers have participated in a range of activities, including gardening, guided walks and conservation programmes.
NParks welcomes more people who are passionate about greenery and nature to join its volunteer programme at www.nparks.gov.sg/volunteer.
Launch of public planting for Tengah Nature Way
NParks and the South West Community Development Council will come together in the first quarter of 2014 to launch the public planting of Tengah Nature Way. The launch will also involve a large group of stakeholders, including grassroots organisations, NGOs, schools and residents. Together, they will create a green corridor connecting the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves with the SAFTI Live-Firing Area. The plants selected for the Nature Way will complement the natural forest at both ends, as well as attract birds and butterflies. This is part of NParks’ plans to create 60km of Nature Ways by 2015, which is also in tandem with the district’s sustainability masterplan to build a greener community.
50 Years of Greening Singapore
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s greening campaign, which started on 16 June 1963 when former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew planted a Mempat tree at Farrer Circus. Throughout the year, NParks has worked closely with over 100 partners to plant trees, organise activities or roll out promotions for the public to commemorate 50 Years of Greening Singapore.
Some of the key events include roving installations of nostalgic play sets, distribution of seed-planting kits to all Primary 3 students and the planting of 1,963 trees. The 1963 Commemorative Tree Planting initiative was launched on 16 June 2013 with Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s planting of a Rain Tree at Holland Village Park. In the past few months, schools, companies, non-profit organisations and many individuals have planted 1,961 commemorative trees throughout Singapore. The 1963rd tree, a Shorea gibbosa, was planted by Prime Minister Lee today.