Network and connect with nature

Channel NewsAsia 24 Sep 11;

SINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) is starting a network for Singaporeans who are keen on nature conservation.

It'll be similar to the successful Community in Bloom programme, which has nurtured some 400 gardening groups islandwide.

Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin announced the initiative at a symposium on biodiversity where he gave out awards to those who have made significant contributions to conservation efforts in Singapore.

Called Community in Nature (CIN), individuals, community groups and organisations can sign up to take part in nature awareness activities like photography and birdwatching.

Those who are keen to deepen their appreciation of nature will then be exposed to more hands-on activities, like plant salvaging and reforestation.

NParks said the aim is to engage the community and reconnect them with their natural environment.

It said the launch of CIN is in line with its City in a Garden framework, to engage and inspire communities by creating a network of individuals and groups to conserve Singapore's natural heritage.

"It is an opportunity to reconnect with nature and bringing a wide range of activities, such as photography and bird watching, and so on and so forth. And I think it will certainly enrich the lives of our Singaporeans, especially the young Singaporeans who are just spending time at gaming parlours and playing with their X-Box. Get them out of the house, go and walk, and get them a lot healthier and ready for national service," said Brig-Gen Tan.

NParks is in the process of a year-long public engagement exercise launched on August 22 to seek ideas on transforming Singapore into a City in a Garden.

- CNA/ck/ls

Singapore's biodiversity 'also key to its identity'
Straits Times 25 Sep 11;

To get people in Singapore to reach out and engage even more with nature, National Parks Board (NParks) yesterday announced the launch of a new programme Community in Nature (CIN).

Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister of State for National Development and Manpower, unveiled the programme at the 3rd Biodiversity of Singapore Symposium, held at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

BG Tan emphasised the importance of nature conservation in Singapore.

Identity is not just centred on history but also on the country's biodiversity, he said, adding: 'I think it is important to embrace that and preserve as much of that as we can.'

The CIN programme engages the community and reconnects them with the natural environment through activities in three broad areas: awareness and appreciation; engagement; and co-creation.

The three broad categories may be viewed as a progression of one another. This framework allows a participant to grow from being a casual observer to becoming a more active participant in nature-related programmes.

By the co-creation stage, the focus is on participants leading the community in environmental programmes.

Mr Poon Hong Yuen, chief executive of NParks, said the first category is important because when people truly appreciate nature, a sustained interest results.

Many may volunteer 'but we want to ensure that the interest continues', he said.

Activities under the awareness and appreciation category include birdwatching and nature photography.

These activities will start next month.

BG Tan also presented awards to recognise individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation in Singapore.

The symposium, jointly organised by NParks and NUS, saw the biodiversity community addressing topics about terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Stacey Chia

A network for nature lovers
Channel NewsAsia Today Online 25 Sep 11;

The National Parks Board (NParks) is starting a network for Singaporeans keen on nature conservation. Individuals, community groups and organisations can sign up to take part in nature awareness activities like photography and bird watching.

Called Community in Nature (CIN), there will also be more hands-on activities like plant salvaging and reforestation.

"I think it will certainly enrich the lives of Singaporeans, especially the young who are just spending time at gaming parlours and playing with their X-Box. Get them out of the house, go and walk, and get them a lot healthier and ready for National Service," said Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin, who announced the initiative at a symposium on biodiversity yesterday.

NParks said the CIN concept is similar to the successful Community in Bloom programme, which has nurtured some 400 gardening groups here.

Email nparks_mailbox@nparks.gov.sg or go to www.nparks.gov.sg to sign up.

NParks launches Community in Nature programme
Stacey Chia Straits Times 24 Sep 11;

Brigadier-General (NS) Tan Chuan Jin, Minister of State (National Development and Manpower) announced the launch of the Community in Nature (CIN) programme by the National Parks Board (NParks) at the 3rd Biodiversity of Singapore Symposium held at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Saturday.

The Symposium was jointly organised by the NParks and NUS.

The CIN programme aims to engage the community and reconnect them with the natural environment.

Activities under the CIN which will start in October, will be categorised into three broad categories: Awareness and appreciation, Engagement and Co-creation. This framework will allow participants of to grow from being a casual observer to become a more active participant in nature-related programmes.

NParks launches Community in Nature programme for nature conservation - BG (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin announced launch of Community in Nature at the Biodiversity of Singapore Symposium III
NParks media release 24 Sep 11;

24 September 2011 - Taking a leaf from the successful Community in Bloom programme, which has nurtured some 400 gardening groups island-wide, NParks is establishing a similar network of Singaporeans keen on nature conservation.

Called Community in Nature (CIN), individuals, community groups and organisations can sign up at nparks_mailbox@nparks.gov.sg to take part in nature awareness activities like photography and birdwatching (See Annex A for a list of birdwatching activities in October). Those who are keen to deepen their appreciation of nature will then be exposed to more hands-on activities, like plant salvaging and reforestation. The aim is to engage the community and reconnect them with our natural environment.

The launch of CIN is in line with NParks' City in a Garden framework. On 22 August, NParks started a year-long public engagement exercise to seek ideas on transforming Singapore into a City in a Garden. One of the focus areas is on engaging and inspiring communities by creating a network of individuals and groups to conserve Singapore's natural heritage.

At BOSS, which is jointly organised by the National Parks Board (NParks) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), MOS Tan also presented awards to recognise individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation in Singapore. This year's recipients include Ms Ria Tan, for sharing information about biodiversity through her Wildsingapore and Flickr websites, as well as 10 schools and organisations for their longstanding participation in the International Coastal Cleanup.

In its third instalment, BOSS is a forum for the biodiversity conservation community to interact, exchange knowledge and explore future collaborations. Held on 24 September at the NUS Lim Seng Tjoe Lecture Theatre 27, this year's BOSS features speakers on biodiversity conservation efforts at terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats in Singapore.

More about the Biodiversity of Singapore Symposium III. Also on the wild shores of singapore blog.