Commemorative Book and Stamps Launched at Festival of Biodiversity to Mark 50 Years of Greening Singapore

Schools can join new NParks' initiative to assess and enhance biodiversity in schools

13 July 2013, Singapore - At the opening of the Festival of Biodiversity at VivoCity this morning, President Tony Tan Keng Yam launched a new book showcasing Singapore's development into a City in a Garden, and a special set of biodegradable stamps affixed with seeds to commemorate 50 Years of Greening Singapore. A new National Parks Board's (NParks) initiative, Greening Schools for Biodiversity, was also launched. This initiative enables schools to assess and enrich the biodiversity in their school compounds. The Festival of Biodiversity, organised jointly by NParks and the Biodiversity Roundtable, is an annual celebration of the community's efforts to conserve Singapore's natural heritage.

President Tony Tan said, "Singapore has come far in balancing biodiversity conservation and urban development. The garden environment and green spaces contribute to an enjoyable and livable environment in which Singaporeans can live, work and play. These are the results of deliberate and sustained efforts that began 50 years ago. I am heartened to see that many Singaporeans are taking ownership of our City in a Garden vision, and helping to conserve Singapore's natural heritage for the benefit of future generations."

Launch of Commemorative Book - Living in a Garden: The Greening of Singapore

The Commemorative Book, Living in a Garden: The Greening of Singapore, showcases Singapore's development into a City in a Garden and introduces many of the fascinating plants and animals that live here. It features more than 250 attractive and vivid photographs, as well as interviews from people who were part of Singapore's greening journey.

The Commemorative Book is available at $29.90 from major bookstores as well as the Gardens Shop and Library Shop at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Its electronic version is also available at www.booktique.com for $12.90. From 13 July to 11 August 2013, the public can enjoy a special launch promotion of 20% discount on the Commemorative Book.

Launch of Biodegradable Commemorative Stamps with Seeds

For the first time, Singapore Post Limited has released a special set of four biodegradable Commemorative Stamps with seeds. Titled Our City in a Garden, the beautifully illustrated stamps comprising 1st local, S$0.50, S$0.80 and S$1.10, portray Singapore's vibrant urban landscape nestled within a thriving garden.

The 1st local stamp is affixed with the seeds of the Portulaca grandiflora (commonly known as moss-rose) for planting. A small-sized herbaceous creeper, the Portulaca grandiflora is a common sight in Singapore. All stamp products of this issue are on sale at the Festival of Biodiversity and at all post offices. Instructions on how to plant the 1st local stamp are found on the back of the self-adhesive sheetlet (2 x 1st local stamps and 2 x 50c stamps) and at www.nparks.gov.sg/50years.

Greening Schools for Biodiversity

At the Festival of Biodiversity opening, NParks also shared a new initiative that aims to bring more biodiversity to schools. Called Greening Schools for Biodiversity, the initiative is open to all primary schools, secondary schools and junior colleges. All participating schools will be assisted by experts from the National University of Singapore's Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Nature Society (Singapore), ButterflyCircle and NParks in conducting a biodiversity audit of their school grounds and implementing plans to attract more biodiversity to their school grounds.

Mr Poon Hong Yuen, Chief Executive Officer, NParks, said, "This initiative showcases how we have been partnering with schools and NGOs to make Singapore greener and richer in biodiversity. Teachers and students will benefit by learning about the biodiversity in our City in a Garden, and taking action to attract more birds, butterflies and dragonflies to their schools."

Four schools, Commonwealth Secondary School, Raffles Junior College, Singapore Chinese Girls' School and West Grove Primary School, have already come on board. Schools can join the initiative at www.nparks.gov.sg/greeningschools.

Mr Aaron Loh, Principal, Commonwealth Secondary School said, "We are delighted to be one of the first schools to participate in NParks' Greening Schools for Biodiversity programme. This builds on our ongoing efforts as a Centre of Excellence for Environmental Education, where we nurture the budding advocates, scientists and designers who will create a greener, more sustainable future. We will be working with NParks in our ongoing efforts to transform our school grounds into a living classroom that will enrich our environmental education programme, and enhance the well-being of our students and staff."

Festival of Biodiversity

The Festival of Biodiversity is an annual celebration of the community's efforts to conserve Singapore's natural heritage. It is jointly organised by NParks and the Biodiversity Roundtable, a group of about 20 key representatives from various sectors of the biodiversity community.

In its second year, the Festival of Biodiversity is held on 13 and 14 July 2013 at VivoCity, Central Court B. About 35 partners have contributed to the Festival's two-day programme. The Festival is also supported by Kingsmen, Kose, Toshiba and VivoCity.

Highlights of the Festival include an exhibition of Singapore's habitats and their inhabitants. Children can also enjoy free art and craft workshops to learn more about Singapore's flora and fauna.

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