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MEDIA RELEASE

NParks celebrates 25 Years of Community Stewardship in Nature Conservation Community can learn more about wetlands and participate in nature conservation efforts

17 April 2018 — The international community is commemorating 25 years of action for biodiversity this year, as part of the International Day of Biological Diversity (IDB). In , we have adapted the theme “25 Years of Community Stewardship in Nature Conservation” to celebrate active citizenry in nature conservation and the partnerships forged with our volunteers, nature advocacy groups, schools, and citizen scientists, and to encourage the community to join us as stewards of our natural heritage. The (NParks) will be celebrating with a series of activities and programmes. Visitors of all ages can look forward to biodiversity surveys, guided walks and tours at our parks and nature areas. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve will also be kicking off a year-long series of events and activities to celebrate the Reserve’s 25th anniversary.

Celebrating 25 Years of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Sungei Buloh. The transformation of a nature park into one of the most recognised wetland reserves in the region was made possible due to the shared passion and support from a nationwide community of volunteers, corporations, schools and partners. Since its establishment, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has been recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park and is a founding partner of the East-Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership, which was launched in 2006. With the opening of the Reserve’s East Extension in 2014, new features and experiences within the Reserve have enabled visitors to continue enjoying the wetlands while strengthening the conservation of the core of the Reserve. The extension also allows greater connectivity for our wildlife. We have also restored the , one of the largest freshwater marshes in Singapore, and home to an array of unique biodiversity.

Our local and international partnerships have also grown over the years. At home, we have established the Friends of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve community. In the international sphere, we are part of the ASEAN Network for Wetlands and Migratory Waterbirds Conservation, and the Arctic Migratory Bird Initiative.

To enable us to reach these milestones, the conservation approaches undertaken by the Reserve have been guided by the advancement of scientific knowledge and technology. For example, we are among the first in the region to employ the latest tracking technology to follow the cross border movements of migratory shorebirds.

To commemorate its establishment in 1993 and to strengthen awareness about the value of conserving our wetlands, the Reserve will be organising a range of volunteer-run activities and programmes for the community. The public can sign up for these exciting educational and

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family programmes at http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary. Activities include a specially curated walk to commemorate the Reserve’s 25th anniversary.

For more information on Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and the list of activities, please refer to Annex A.

International Day of Biological Diversity

The United Nations has designated 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year’s local theme, “25 Years of Community Stewardship in Nature Conservation”, celebrates the involvement of our partners in nature conservation – volunteers, citizen scientists, Friends of the Parks, nature advocacy groups, academics, and many others. The theme also encourages the community to join us as stewards of our natural heritage and help conserve our rich biodiversity.

NParks will commemorate the International Day of Biological Diversity (IDB) with Biodiversity Week, to be celebrated across a fortnight – from 18 May to 3 June – with activities like Nationwide BioBlitz, Butterfly Watch, habitat enhancement and guided nature walks happening across our nature areas, parks and gardens. Biodiversity Week will culminate in the annual Festival of Biodiversity, which NParks organises in collaboration with the Biodiversity Roundtable, on 2 and 3 June at the open field between MRT station and Tampines Mall.

For more information on the activities for Biodiversity Week, please refer to Annex B.

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For more information, please contact:

Trisha Eng (Ms) Clarissa Sih (Ms) Senior Manager, Communications Manager, Communications National Parks Board National Parks Board DID: 6471 7305 DID: 6471 7302 Mobile: 8200 5259 Mobile: 9636 4385 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

About National Parks Board (NParks)

National Parks Board (NParks) is responsible for providing and enhancing the greenery of our City in a Garden. Beyond building green infrastructure, NParks is actively engaging the community to enhance the quality of our living environment.

NParks manages 350 parks and 300 km of park connectors, 3,347 hectares of nature reserves and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. We also manage and the Sisters' Islands Marine Park. Adding to this is the extensive streetscape, or roadside greenery, that forms the backbone of our City in a Garden. The island-wide Park Connector Network is also being developed to link major parks, nature areas and residential estates.

As the lead agency on biodiversity conservation, NParks has developed an urban biodiversity conservation model, which aims to conserve representative eco-systems in land-scarce Singapore. NParks also monitors and coordinates measures to enhance the presence of biodiversity in our urban landscape.

NParks is working closely with partners in the landscape and horticulture industry to increase productivity, and provide training for all levels of the workforce. Enhancing competencies of the industry will support Singapore’s vision of being a City in a Garden.

For more information, visit www.nparks.gov.sg and www.facebook.com/nparksbuzz

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Annex A

Celebrating 25 Years of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

For more information and the most updated list of programmes, please visit http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary.

Location, Date and Time Description Field day @ Wetlands: Dragonfly Did you know, there are currently 40 species of Watch dragonflies that have been spotted in Sungei Buloh? Join us in our survey to count the number Date: 16 and 17 April (Mon and Tue) of dragonfly and damselfly species at the Junior Time: Wetland, and pick up and practice skills in spotting 16 April: 9.30am to 11.30am and identifying them. 17 April: 3.30pm to 5.30pm Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre

Guided Walk: What’s in My Mud? Join us for an interesting guided walk featuring our lesser known creatures of the mudflats in Sungei Date: 21 April (Sat) Buloh. Time: 9.30am – 11.00am Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Register via Reserve, Wetland Centre http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary

*Registration required

Guided Walk: What’s in My Join us for a guided walk of this unique mangrove Mangroves? wetlands located at the border of freshwater (river) and salt water (sea) habitats. Singapore used to Date: 28 April, 5 May, 12 May (Sat) have large areas of mangroves, but lost most of Time: 9.30am – 11.00am them to coastal development. Few mangroves are Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland left in Singapore, one of which is at Sungei Buloh Reserve, Visitor Centre Wetland Reserve.

*Registration required Register via http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary

DIY Craft Booths @ Sungei Buloh Get crafty at Sungei Buloh as we celebrate 25 years of Action for Biodiversity. Learn about the Date: 5 to 6 May, 12 to 13 May various flora and fauna that can be found in Time: 7.00 am – 7.00 pm Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and create your Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland very own pop-up craft. Reserve, Visitor Centre Registration details can be found on http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary

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Guided Walk: Evening Chorus @ Join us for an evening guided walk at Kranji Kranji Marshes Marshes, one of the largest freshwater marshes in Date: 12 May 2018 (Sat) Singapore, and listen to the chorus from the birds Time: 4.30 pm – 6.30 pm that thrive in this wetland habitat. Venue: Kranji Marshes For more information and registration, visit *Registration required http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary.

Guided Walk: What’s in my Mud? Join us for an interesting guided walk featuring our Date: 19 May 2018 (Sat) lesser known creatures in the mudflats of Sungei Time: 9.30 pm – 11.00 am Buloh. Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre Register via http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary *Registration required

Field Day @ Wetlands: Bioblitz in Interested participants can look forward to working Kranji Marshes alongside naturalists and researchers to document the flora and fauna that can be found in Sungei Bird Survey Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Marshes. Date: 20 May 2018 (Sun) Time: 7.45am – 10.30am Register via Venue: Kranji Marshes http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary

Insect Survey (Bee and Butterfly) Date: 20 May 2018 (Sun) Time: 9.45am – 12.30pm Venue: Kranji Marshes

Field Day @ Wetlands: Bioblitz in Interested participants can look forward to working Sungei Buloh alongside naturalists and researchers to document the flora and fauna that can be found in Bird Survey Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Date: 24 May 2018 (Thur) Marshes. Time: 7.30am – 9.30am Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Register via Reserve, Wetland Centre http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary

Insect Survey (Bee and Butterfly) Date: 24 May 2018 (Thur) Time: 9.30am – 11.30am Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre

Guided Walk: What’s in My What's that swimming in the water? A fish, a worm, Water? an insect or a crocodile!? Join us for an interesting morning walk to know the creatures and plants that Date: 26 May 2018 (Sat)

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Time: 9.30am – 11.00am lives in and around the water edges of Sungei Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Buloh. Reserve, Visitor Centre Register via *Registration required http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary

Young Naturalist Passport (YNP) This one day camp encompasses a series of fun- Camp filled and educational indoor and outdoor learning of the wetlands and nature conservation issues Date: 2 June 2018 (Sat) through worksheets, nature walks and hands-on Time: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm activities. Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre Register via http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary *Registration required

West Marsh Visit with the ‘Kranji The West Marsh, within the Core Conservation Marshals’ Area of Kranji Marshes, is a special area designated for the conservation of marsh birds. To Date: 2 June 2018 (Sat) minimise disturbances to these shy animals and Time: 7.30 am – 11.00 am other wildlife, access to this section is restricted to Venue: Kranji Marshes (Core guided activities organised by NParks and its Conservation Area) partners. Several times a year, visitors can access this section when NParks volunteers (the 'Kranji No registration required. Marshals') conduct station-guiding. They will be stationed at the hides and strategic locations to help you appreciate the beauty of the marsh habitat.

Celebrating our unique wetland Celebrate the International Day for the habitat: Mangroves Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Learn about the Date: 21 July 2018 (Sat) flora and fauna of our mangrove habitat through Time: 8.30 am – 1.30 pm guided walks, talks and activity booths. Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre Register via http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary *Registration required

Guided Walk: Eyeshines of the Join us for this specially curated night walk at Wetlands [25th Anniversary Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to spot animals that Special] are active in the wetlands after the sun sets.

Date: August 2018 More updates can be found on the website: Time: 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre

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*Registration required

West Marsh Visit with the ‘Kranji The West Marsh, within the Core Conservation Marshals’ Area of Kranji Marshes, is a special area designated for the conservation of marsh birds. To Date: 1 September 2018 (Sat) minimise disturbances to these shy animals and Time: 7.30 am – 11.00 am other wildlife, access to this section is restricted to Venue: Kranji Marshes (Core guided activities organised by NParks and its Conservation Area) partners. Several times a year, visitors can access this section when NParks volunteers (the 'Kranji No registration required. Marshals') conduct station-guiding. They will be stationed at the hides and strategic locations to help you appreciate the beauty of the marsh habitat.

FESTIVAL: Wonderful Waders! 25 Join us in this bash to welcome our winter visitors years and more from the Arctic. They would have braved an arduous journey from the north, and we’ll be putting October 2018 up a big bash to welcome them to sunny Singapore. Join us for workshops, exhibitions, activities and booths and learn more about our feathered friends.

More updates can be found on the website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbwr/25anniversary

*Registration is required for some of these programmes on a first-come-first-served basis. It will be closed two days before the commencement of each session or when the session is fully subscribed.

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Annex B

Biodiversity Week (18 May to 3 June)

For more information and the most updated list of programmes, please visit www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversityweek.

Location, Date and Time Description Festival of Biodiversity Organised in collaboration with the Biodiversity Roundtable, the annual Festival of Biodiversity celebrates Singapore’s Date: 2 and 3 June biodiversity. Through games, crafts, interactive booths and Time: 10am to 10pm exhibitions, the Festival aims to enthuse the general public Venue: Open space about conserving our natural heritage. between Tampines MRT and Tampines Mall For more information, visit https://www.nparks.gov.sg/festivalofbiodiversity

Nationwide BioBlitz cum BioBlitz sessions will be taking place in various locations Habitat Enhancement across Singapore, including schools and parks. Interested participants can look forward to working alongside naturalists Dates: 18 to 30 May and researchers to document the flora and fauna that can be Time: 9.30am to 3pm found within a particular area. Venue: Various sites around Singapore More information can be found at https://www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversity/community-in-nature- initiative/bioblitz

Intertidal Watch Learn to identify common marine animals found in Singapore and help to document the inhabitants of the intertidal zones Dates: 18 to 21 May around our shores. Data collected contribute to long-term Venue: Various sites monitoring of our coastal environments. around Singapore Registration and pre-event training required. Registration opens one month before the indicated survey dates. Email [email protected] for programme updates and registration details.

Butterfly Watch The Butterfly Watch is a citizen science initiative organised as part of the NParks Community in Nature (CIN) Biodiversity Date: 19 to 27 May Watch Series, to get everyone involved in collecting valuable Time: Between 9.30am to information about the butterflies in our parks, gardens and 3pm nature reserves. Venue: Various sites around Singapore For more information, visit https://www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversity/community-in-nature- initiative/nparks-butterfly-watch

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Marine BioBlitz – in Marine BioBlitz is an opportunity for experienced scuba conjunction with Reef divers to help document the biodiversity of Singapore, with Friends opportunities to interact with marine biologists.

Date: 27 to 29 May Participants must have valid SCUBA certification, have local Venue: Various sites diving experience and commit to regular surveys before they around the Southern can register and join the programme. Email Islands [email protected] for updates and registration details.

Explore Urban Join us as we take you on a scenic morning stroll to explore Biodiversity at one-north the amazing flora and fauna of one-north Park. Park To sign up for the trail, please e-mail Zestin at Date: 19 May [email protected] with the e-mail header "one-north Time: 9am to 10am Park Nature Walk". Do indicate how many people will be Venue: one-north Park joining the walk and if there are any special requirements.

Nature Appreciation A guided walk conducted by volunteers along the South View Walk at Bukit Timah Path, during which participants can experience nature in its Nature Reserve pristine form and learn about flora and fauna found in the Reserve. Date: 19 May Time: 9.30am to 10.30am More information: Venue: Bukit Timah https://www.nparks.gov.sg/activities/events-and- Nature Reserve workshops/2018/5/nature-appreciation-walk-at-bukit-timah- nature-reserve-19-may-2018

Nature Appreciation is the gateway to the rich biodiversity of Walk at Windsor Nature the largest nature reserve in Singapore – the Central Park Catchment Nature Reserve. Through this guided walk, participants will gain a greater appreciation of Singapore's Date: 26 May rich natural heritage and the need to conserve it for future Time: 9.30am to 11.30am generations. Venue: Windsor Nature Park More information: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/activities/events-and- workshops/2018/5/nature-appreciation-walk-at-windsor- nature-park-26-may-2017

Mangrove Guided Walk Led by our experienced guides, this guided walk allows you to get up and close with the local residents of the mangroves Date: 26 May while walking on the boardwalk. Keep your eyes peeled for Grey Herons taking flight, Giant Mudskippers trying to blend Time: 9am to 11am in with the environment, or Vinegar Crabs climbing up trees. Venue: Learn about the different root systems of the hardy mangrove Mangrove Boardwalk trees in the mangrove forest at Pasir Ris Park, one of the last few mangrove forests in Singapore.

To register, email: [email protected] Page 9 of 10 Information accurate as of 17 April 2018. For media enquiries, please contact Trisha Eng / Clarissa Sih at 8200 5259 or 9636 4385.

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Ecolife @ Bishan-Ang This family-friendly tour introduces Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park Mo Kio Park and its biodiversity through the use of interactive exploration and activities. Have fun working together to complete Date: 26 May and 2 June worksheets, conduct surveys, and participate in photo hunts Time: 9am to 11am with your family! Venue: Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park More information: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/activities/events-and- workshops/2018/5/ecolife-at-bishan-ang-mo-kio-park-26- may-2018

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/activities/events-and- workshops/2018/6/ecolife-at-bishan-ang-mo-kio-park-2-june- 2018

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