NParks launches four new DIY trail guides

Mustafa Channel NewsAsia 4 Nov 10;

SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) has launched four new Do-It-Yourself (DIY) trail guides, in conjunction with Clean and Green Singapore (CGS) 2011.

Members of the public will get more opportunities to learn about trees and appreciate their importance in making Singapore a highly liveable city through these guides.

The guides are available for trails at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Pulau Ubin, Changi and Fort Canning Park.

They will highlight the interesting features of trees along these trails. For example, the Baobab (Adansonia digitata) at Fort Canning Park has an interesting bottle-like trunk, akin to a tree being flipped "upside-down".

The more-than-100-year-old Penaga Laut (Calophyllum inophyllum) at Singapore Botanic Gardens is more than a tree - its trunk plays host to a rich diversity of ferns, climbers and wildlife.

For those who prefer to participate in guided tours, NParks is also organising more regular tree appreciation walks in various parks in Singapore.

Simon Longman, Director (Streetscape) at NParks explained that the DIY guides and tree appreciation walks are an extension of its ongoing initiatives to reach out to the public to create awareness and appreciation of trees in shaping our Garden City.

"Besides promoting interest and understanding of trees, we also hope to share the importance of these living organisms in our environment."

The guides are currently available for downloading on the NParks website www.nparks.gov.sg/eguides

NParks also announced the dedication of Heritage Trees to Mrs Margaret Lien, ExxonMobil, FCL Pte Ltd and Kikkoman, in appreciation of their contribution to the Garden City Fund.

Collectively, they have contributed about S$3 million to the Garden City efforts.

-CNA/ac


DIY trail-guides at parks
Hannah Koh Straits Times 4 Nov 10;

The trail-guides will be available at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Pulau Ubin, Changi and Fort Canning Park and will highlight the interesting features of trees along these trails.

For those who prefer to join in guided tours, NParks is also organising more regular tree appreciation walks in various parks in Singapore. Conducted in parks like Fort Canning Park and Yishun Park by experienced guides, the walks aim to promote interest in trees among park visitors and help them appreciate these green landmarks of our Garden City.

NParks on Thursday also announced the dedication of Heritage Tree to donors including ExxonMobil, FCL Pte Ltd (Far East Organisation and Frasers Centrepoint), and Kikkoman as a gesture of appreciation for their assistance.

Collectively, they have contributed about S$3 million to the Garden City efforts with donations ranging from more than S$300,000 to S$1 million.

The Heritage Trees Scheme was set up with the support of HSBC, to conserve significant individual trees that are part of Singapore's green heritage. Some 178 trees in Singapore have been designated as Heritage Trees since August 2001.