Collecting various organisms found living on and within the mud, such as marine worms, snails, crabs and fishes to be examined later in the laboratory and identified, is part and parcel of the work done by participants of the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey (CMBS). Once in a while, a rare or unknown species is uncovered.

Nature is always underlooked as we pursue our busy life. When we rush around, we never know how our interpretation of nature will change if we pause to see and feel it. "Before the field trip, I always thought that nature was all about 'Oh look at that tall tree' or 'Yuck! Look at all that mud', that kind of idea," said Bryan Wijaya, a volunteer for the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey (CMBS) of Singapore.

Heralding in the new year was the launch of one of Singapore's latest newest nature trail, the Labrador Nature and Coastal Walk, which is made up of three sections: Alexandra Garden Trail, Berlayer Creek mangrove trail and Bukit Chermin Boardwalk.

I have been working at the National Parks Board for 12 years and as part of my work as a park ranger, I visit all the parks across the island.