Clean and Green SG50 Mass Tree Planting begins at Punggol Promenade

First 50 trees planted by residents to kickstart series of tree planting events

Singapore, 1 August 2015 - Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, together with 50 families from Punggol West, launched the Clean and Green SG50 (CG SG50) Mass Tree Planting by planting the first 50 trees at Punggol Promenade today. This National Parks Board (NParks) initiative will involve the community in greening up our City in a Garden during Singapore’s jubilee year, and highlight how greenery has become an integral part in our lives. It aims to instil a sense of pride, create shared memories in our parks and gardens, and inspire the community to co-create our green spaces. This marks the first time that the community is involved in tree planting on such a large scale over a period of three months. DPM Teo was joined by Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for National Development, Ms Grace Fu, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office and Co-Chair of the SG50 Environment and Infrastructure committee, and Dr Janil Puthucheary, Advisor to Punggol West Grassroots Organisation.

As part of Clean and Green Singapore 2015, NParks, together with People’s Association and the community, will plant over 5,000 trees at more than 50 sites island-wide from 1 August to 31 October 2015 at parks, park connectors and nature ways. 20,000 people are estimated to be involved in planting over 100 species of trees that are native to Singapore and Southeast Asia. The tree planting will involve organisations such as Association of Banks Singapore, APRIL Group and Singtel, residents from all 15 Group Representation Constituencies and individual members of the public. Please refer to Annex A and B for the dates of the tree planting sites and the partners.

These trees were selected based on several considerations, including historical relevance, ecological relevance and habitat enhancement. DPM Teo will be planting the Pianggu (Horsfieldia irya), a native tree which can grow up to 30m tall. The Pianggu is suitable for planting along streetscapes, parks and coastal areas as it provides good shade. Please refer to Annex B for five examples of common native species.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said, “Many of us enjoy living in our City in a Garden, be it the verdant greenery of our parks, cycling along the park connectors or the biodiversity along our Nature Ways. It is thus meaningful that during Singapore’s jubilee year, we gather with a shared love for nature and each play a part in continuing the work of our pioneers to enrich our urban landscape. Besides participating in the CG SG50 Mass Tree Planting events such as the one today, I would like to encourage all to take part in the rest of the activities lined up for CG SG50.” 

Due to the positive response from the community, new planting locations have been catered to plant 500 more trees, from 5,000 to 5,500. In addition to organisations and community groups, individuals are also involved in celebrating the nation’s identity as a City in a Garden. Additional trees have been catered for individuals keen to be involved in the tree planting initiative held at Woodlands Waterfront Park on 5 September 2015. Registration for this tree planting event is open from now to 15 August 2015. Interested parties can contact http://www.gardencityfund.org/pat/sg50treeplanting.html. A tax deductible donation of $200 will go towards the Garden City Fund, NParks’ registered charity and IPC, for each tree.

Mr Kenneth Er, Chief Executive of the National Parks Board, said, “NParks is heartened by the positive response to the CG SG50 Mass Tree Planting event, in celebration of 50 years of nation building. Tree planting is a truly meaningful activity and a significant part of Singapore’s greening legacy in the last five decades. More Singaporeans have been involved in the process of greening our country, as evident by the increasing demand to plant trees and the rising number of community gardens and gardeners. We are encouraged by this and will continue to work with the community to realise our vision of a City in a Garden in the next 50 years. 

Annex A: Tree Planting Sites

Annex B: Map of Tree Planting Sites

Annex C: Five Common Native Species to be Planted