After many months of construction and revamping of facilities, we here at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve are pleased to welcome visitors to our new visitor centre and gallery!

Situated in the newly built foyer by the main entrance, the bright and airy new visitor centre and gallery also features two sets of exhibits – a perfect way to start your visit. Here, you can understand a bit more about the Wetland Reserve before starting your walk.

A panaromic shot of the newly built visitor centre with its exhibits

Fun facts!
The first exhibit consists of eight panels running along the fringe of the circular centre. These panels will guide you through the history of the Reserve, providing information from way back in the 1890s to the present.

For instance, did you know that the area around the Reserve was once occupied by prawn farms? And that an orchid once thought to be extinct, the Cymbivium bicolour, was rediscovered in the Reserve in 2000? Or that a Smooth Otter was first sighted here in 1995, a significant record because this meant that the ecosystem is rich enough to sustain a food chain for a comparatively large animal that requires a sizeable amount of food? How about, in 2003, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve had the honour of being declared the first ASEAN Heritage Park in Singapore?

Habitats and Ecosystems
But if history isn’t your thing, fret not! The second exhibit consists of information on the different habitats and ecosystems found here, as well as more about the plants and animals you may encounter during your visit to the Reserve.

Visitors can read up on the different ecosystems found at the Wetland Reserves.

It describes the four different environments of water, sky, mud and land and their inhabitants, and how their interdependence on one another give rise to the unique ecosystem of the mangroves and wetlands.

If you have always thought that mangrove swamp was just a smelly muddy place, the displays explain the importance of mangroves not just to the animals living there, but also to humans. For example, mangroves provide protect our coasts from extreme waves. At the same time, they stabilise the soil of our coastal areas, thereby preventing excessive erosion.

These display tables not only provide information about the mangroves and migratory birds of the Wetland Reserve, but also the outreach programmes targeted at youths that have been conducted here.

Keeping count
Do also check out the migratory bird count board that is regularly updated to keep track of the numbers of birds recorded at the Reserve. Some of these birds have flown here from as faraway as Russia. Learn more about that through the display tables at the gallery.

Just before you start your walk, do take the time to study the giant map (above) of Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, which will help you plan your route.

So, do come over to visit us soon, we can’t wait to see you here!

By Riane Brittany Francisco