Channel NewsAsia 6 Jun 08;
SINGAPORE: MediaCorp has adopted MacRitchie Park as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative. The company is one of the first few organisations to adopt a park, in partnership with the National Parks Board (NParks) and the PUB.
The volunteer guides, who are MediaCorp staff, are trained to educate the public on the history of MacRitchie Reservoir, the water loop and the biodiversity of the park.
It is all part of the media company's responsibility, now that it has adopted the MacRitchie Park.
Lucas Chow, CEO, MediaCorp, said: "I think this is really a good opportunity. Number one, the close proximity to MediaCorp and number two, it is really something that we should contribute back.
"Number three, as you know we are going to move to Bukit Batok soon and this is home for us for many years. So I hope that in the future years when we all move down and settle in our new campus, we can still remember where we started from."
And starting with its own staff, MediaCorp has already trained a few to become part-time guides for nature walks on the 12-hectare piece of land. So from July, two employees will be deployed every month.
Low Su Ming, Senior Manager, TV Airtime Marketing, said: "Singapore is so much of a concrete jungle and MacRitchie Resevoir is just across from where we work, so I just thought I want to do my part in being able to share my knowledge about this natural environment that we have."
Ng Lang, CEO, NParks, said: "I think for the work that we do, it's always important to get the community involved, to get everyone to do a part - no matter how small it is.
"And I think it's wonderful when you have a big established company like MediaCorp joining us in the work we do. And we do hope we can see more companies like MediaCorp coming forward to join us."
And doing even more for the environment, NParks has launched a new Junior Ranger Programme, targeted at seven to 12 year olds.
It trains junior rangers, like 12-year-old Leshon Lee, to conduct guided walks and help in outreach programmes.
MacRitchie Park is also undergoing a facelift. By the end of this year, it will get a new car park and by the first quarter of 2009, it will have an amenities centre housing shower facilities, new toilets, a children's playground and a visitors' centre. - CNA/vm
