NParks Joins Hands with the Community to Support Earth Day 2013

Animal cameras launched for the first time in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Singapore, 20 April 2013 - In celebration of Earth Day, the National Parks Board (NParks) and its partners have lined up a range of activities for both adults and children, including planting mangrove propagules, craft and storytelling sessions as well as bird watching. These outdoor activities will enable the public to enjoy nature. To bring nature closer to Singaporeans who prefer to stay indoors, NParks has installed four special cameras within the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. For the first time, the public can view live footage of animals in a nature reserve via their computers or handphones by visiting www.nparks.gov.sg/animalcam. NParks also partnered a number of organisations such as Gap, Timberland, and SHARP, to raise funds for the Garden City Fund and set up healing and butterfly gardens. This year's Earth Day is especially meaningful as the country commemorates 50 Years of Greening Singapore, an important milestone in its journey to becoming a City in a Garden.

"Earth Day is a time when we are reminded to conserve and appreciate the environment. We have organised activities at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for the public to enjoy nature. The installation of animal cameras within the reserve is another way of bringing nature closer to people. With it, more people, including those who are at home, will be able to observe and enjoy the biodiversity in the reserve. As Singapore continues to evolve into a City in a Garden, we hope that people's lives can be enriched by having frequent encounters with nature. We are also working with a number of partners to support Earth Day. These partnerships are especially meaningful as we commemorate 50 years of greening Singapore this year - it is a reminder that our greening journey was possible because of support from corporate partners and the community," said Mr Wong Tuan Wah, Director, Conservation, NParks.

Celebrating Earth Day at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

The public celebrated Earth Day at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve today by helping to set up a nursery of mangrove propagules which will later be planted out in the reserve. Through talks, the public also learnt about mangrove ecology and the threats that mangroves face today.

From today, the public can view live footage of critters within Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve via their computers or mobile phones by visiting www.nparks.gov.sg/animalcam. This marks the first time the public is able to view a live video feed from within one of Singapore's nature reserves. This latest initiative by NParks is part of its efforts to encourage people to have more encounters with nature.

Four cameras have been installed at various spots within the reserve, allowing viewers to select which "scene" they prefer to observe within the reserve. If the timing is right, viewers can even catch live footage of otters frolicking in the pond and migratory birds feeding on the wetlands. Pre-recorded footage of animal action is also available at the website for the public to enjoy.

Celebrating Earth Day with other partners

NParks has partnered a number of organisations to spread the Earth Day message to the local community. The following are some organisations that are working with NParks through its registered charity and IPC, Garden City Fund (GCF):

• Gap is selling 3,000 limited edition water bottles at $15 each from 18 April to 22 May. For every bottle sold, Gap will contribute $5 to GCF.
• Timberland has set up a herbs and edibles garden within the Breast Cancer Foundation’s premises so that breast cancer survivors can enjoy the benefits of nature and greenery.
• SHARP is launching a butterfly garden at Alexandra Canal Linear Park Connector.