Be a Nature Way Steward

Youth Stewards for Nature 2021 Projects Themes National Parks Board Landscape Design Biodiversity Surveys Project #1 Be a Nature Way Steward This project will empower youths to "adopt" a stretch of Nature Way and to further understand its connectivity functions. Youths will be involved in the designing, implementing, caring and monitoring of biodiversity of their Nature Way, as well as educating members of nearby communities about the importance of Nature Ways and encouraging them to be a part of this network of stewards. Location: Nature Ways across the island are available for adoption. Youths will be assigned to the Nature Way based on your preferred geographic location. Proposed Project Outline i. Conduct site surveys of existing Nature Ways to analyse the species of flora planted, the species of fauna they are intended to attract, and whether these species are present on site ii. Using the data collected from site surveys and online research, design and implement a Nature Way by selecting suitable native species of trees, shrubs and ground covers based on shortlisted road(s) iii. Conduct transect surveys 3 months after establishment of Nature Way to record presence of any new fauna species iv. Organize an engagement session with members of nearby communities to introduce them to the concept of Nature Ways, encouraging them to become stewards Requirements Time Commitment • Interest in landscape design and Monthly 2hr update meetings urban biodiversity (online and/or on site) on • Ability to identify bird and butterfly weekdays, or adhoc as species is a plus required • Background in field biology surveys is a plus • Able to work independently Youth Stewards for Nature 2021 Projects Themes National Parks Board Landscape Design Edibles Gardening Biodiversity Surveys Project #2 Creating an Ecological Edible Forest Youths get an opportunity to learn about pollinators and how to create an edible garden that is ecologically-friendly. Through the project, participants will be asked to build bee hotels, educate volunteer gardeners on the importance of pollinators and how to create conducive habitats for them (e.g. bee hotels), and conduct surveys on insects and pollinators in HortPark. Location: HortPark Proposed Project Outline i. Do online research on ecologically-friendly edible garden layouts and plant choices. ii. Conduct site survey of proposed implementation site and biodiversity present in the vicinity. iii. Hands-on implementation works, and subsequent maintenance works iv. Give a talk during e-Gardener’s Day Out on the process and findings. v. Prepare educational signs to be placed in the garden, for people who wish to create ecologically-friendly edible gardens (in terms of layout, plant selection, etc). Requirements Time Commitment • Interest in landscape design and Once a week update urban biodiversity meetings (online and/or on • Able to work independently site) on weekdays, or adhoc • Able to identify birds, butterflies, pest as required. and diseases is a plus • Art and design skills are a plus Youth Stewards for Nature 2021 Projects Themes National Parks Board Playgarden Design Community Engagement Project #3 Conceptualising Nature Play Gardens Youths can help to conceptualise and plan for Nature Playgardens in parks. They can also help gather and analyse feedback from stakeholders, and translate the ideas received towards the implementation of the playgarden and/or programmes. Location: TBC; 2 parks around Singapore. Youths will be assigned to the park based on your preferred geographic location. Proposed Project Outline Familiarise and understand the concept of Nature Play, the processes of designing and managing Nature Playgardens. i. Analyse the selected parks (through site recce and online research) to identify and shortlist potential stakeholders for engagement ii. Prepare and facilitate engagement session iii. Study feasibility of ideas generated from engagement session iv. Source for resources to implement feasible ideas on site v. Implement on site vi. Maintenance of site Requirements Time Commitment • Interest in nature and play Monthly 2hr update meetings • Good communication skills and (online and/or on site) on willing to engage stakeholders weekdays, or adhoc as • Creative, hands on and good in art is required. a plus Engagement sessions may fall on weekends. Youth Stewards for Nature 2021 Projects Themes National Parks Board Habitat Enhancement Biodiversity Surveys Project #4 Implementing an Insect-themed Garden and Designing Public Walks This project seeks youths with an interest in greenery and biodiversity to conduct baseline surveys, implement a butterfly flower/puddling garden and bee hotels. An insect nature walk will also be developed. Location: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Proposed Project Outline i. Youth will be involved in conducting pre-surveys of the area before implementation of insect-themed garden ii. Youth will be able to observe and understand the process of building and landscaping a garden in a nature reserve iii. Following the implementation of the garden, youths will be involved in surveying bees, butterflies and other insects for monitoring purposes Requirements Time Commitment • Background in field biology surveys, Preferably once a week basic butterfly and bees identification survey, but depending on skill is a bonus applicant's schedule may be • Landscaping background is a bonus possible for fortnightly survey • Must be able to work independently, Monthly update meetings as well as in a team • Must be comfortable being in an outdoor environment Youth Stewards for Nature 2021 Projects Themes National Parks Board Habitat Enhancement Community Engagement Project #5 Be a Habitat Enhancement Steward This project seeks youths with a keen interest in forest ecology, restoration and public outreach to help manage community habitat enhancement projects in Thomson Nature Park by preparing species lists, coordinating community planting events and monitoring sites after enhancement. Location: Thomson Nature Park Proposed Project Outline i. Select and assist to prepare suitable sites for habitat enhancement works ii. Gather information online and from experienced staff to prepare a list of suitable native species of trees, shrubs and ground covers specific to each enhancement site iii. Coordinate and assist in planting and habitat enhancement events with the community iv. Prepare information of the species planted at each site and tabulate planting figures v. Participate in NParks-organised nature guiding for Thomson Nature Park to share about habitat enhancement projects vi. Monitor sites after planting events and identify impediments to a successful habitat enhancement to come up with strategies to overcome them Requirements Time Commitment • Background in forest ecology is a plus Planting events occur every month • Knowledge in native plant ecology is for 6 months. Planting events are a plus mostly held on weekdays but there • Able to work independently may some events conducted on • Willing to participate in nature weekends. guiding and to communicate with Monthly 1hr update meetings over public 6 months Ad-hoc meetings and site visits on weekdays as required Youth Stewards for Nature 2021 Projects Themes National Parks Board Human-wildlife Coexistence Community Engagement Social Perception Surveys Project #6 “No Feeding of Wildlife” Campaign This project seeks youth with an interest in the topic of human-wildlife co-existence to embark on a nation-wide "No Feeding of Wildlife" campaign covering species such as birds, long-tailed macaques and wild boars. Location: Various locations around the island Proposed Project Outline i. Conduct social surveys and observations at identified feeding hotspots to understand human-wildlife interactions with a primary focus on feeding (e.g. awareness of legislation against feeding of wildlife, motivations behind feeding behaviour) ii. Conduct site surveys to record existing species of flora and fauna present in the natural environment iii. Using the data collected from surveys to design and implement targeted outreach activities and collaterals (e.g. outreach booths, awareness walks, social media campaigns) iv. Specifically for recalcitrant elderly feeders, design and implement an outreach activity which will meet their interests and needs v. Evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign Requirements Time Commitment • Willingness and openness to understand Weekly surveys case studies of recalcitrant feeders Outreach sessions with public • Willingness to engage members of public as required • Willingness and openness to engage Monthly update meetings recalcitrant elderly feeders over 6 months • Background in ecology/social Ad-hoc meetings on sciences/biodiversity is a plus weekdays (either online or on • Able to work independently and in a team site) as required Youth Stewards for Nature 2021 Projects Themes National Parks Board Human-wildlife Coexistence Biodiversity Surveys Project #7 Social Perception Surveys Understanding Human-wildlife Interactions of the Long-tailed Macaque This project seeks youth with an interest in the topic of human-wildlife co-existence to conduct a monkey census of urban monkey troops. Youth will also be involved in conducting social surveys on ground sentiments towards wildlife including but not limited to macaques, such as civets and birds to understand public perceptions of our urban wildlife. Location: Various monkey hotspots around the island Proposed Project Outline i. Conduct site surveys at macaque hotspots

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