AsiaOne 27 Jun 15;
SINGAPORE - Marine habitats will be better protected under a new Nature Conservation Masterplan, which sets out the course of Singapore's biodiversity conservation plans for the next five years.
The masterplan is a framework that consolidates the National Parks Board's (NParks) focus of systematically coordinating, strengthening and intensifying efforts in biodiversity conservation by integrating various programmes and projects.
It was announced by Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee at NParks' annual Festival of Biodiversity at VivoCity this morning.
Some of these initiatives have been implemented in the past few months, NParks said in a statement today.
For instance, plans for Nature Parks like Windsor and Chestnut Nature Parks, which act as buffers for Singapore's nature reserves, have been rolled out.
Conservation of marine habitats and biodiversity will be looked into under the Marine Conservation Action Plan.
One key focus of that plan is the establishment of Sisters' Islands Marine Park. To encourage interest in marine life, a dive trail at the park will open to the public by September, NParks said.
There are also plans to restore and enhance marine habitats such as shallow water reefs and intertidal areas at not only Sisters' Islands Marine Park, but also Changi Beach Park and Labrador Nature Reserve.
Festival to celebrate biodiversity in Singapore
Audrey Tan Straits Times AsiaOne 27 Jun 15;
Few would associate wildlife and nature with Singapore, given its many skyscrapers.
But a biodiversity exhibition being held at VivoCity today and tomorrow may change this.
Visitors to the Celebrating SG50: Our Natural Heritage exhibition will find that the Republic is actually home to a surprising number of species of plants and animals.
Among them is the critically endangered Zingiber singapurense, a ginger found only in Singapore's Central Catchment Nature Reserve and nowhere else in the world.
Visitors will also learn more about the tree with "patriotic flowers". The Kopsia singapurensis grows in freshwater swamp forests only in Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia, and has flowers that bloom with a red heart surrounded by white petals.
In all, the National Parks Board will showcase 50 plants and animals closely linked to Singapore's heritage at the exhibition as part of the board's annual Festival of Biodiversity.
Other than the ginger and the tree, visitors can learn about the rarer of two native monkeys, the elusive banded leaf monkey. The long-tailed macaque is the other monkey that is native to Singapore.
The two-day Festival of Biodiversity is in its fourth year, and will feature arts-and-craft workshops and booths set up by nature groups such as the Nature Society (Singapore) and Herpetological Society of Singapore.
For the first time, the festival will also include a free concert by musicians from groups such as Greenbeats, which aims to raise environmental awareness through music.
Mr Chen Lishi, 25, said he is keen to visit the exhibition to learn how to identify flora and fauna. Added the engineer: "Being in South-east Asia, we are exposed to a large diversity of flora and fauna. Instead of looking to other countries, we could simply look within Singapore to find many interesting animals and plants."
More protection for marine habitats with new conservation plan
Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee has announced a new Marine Conservation Action Plan at the annual Festival of Biodiversity organised by National Parks Board.
Liyana Othman Channel NewsAsia 27 Jun 15;
SINGAPORE: A new Marine Conservation Action Plan to better protect Singapore's marine habitats was launched on Saturday (Jun 27).
The first of its kind, the plan will also see other conservation projects including, restoring and enhancing marine habitats islandwide and setting up a coral nursery at Sisters' Islands Marine Park.
A S$500,000 turtle hatchery, sponsored by HSBC bank, will also be built there to conserve the Green and Hawksbill turtles - the first such sea turtle conservation project.
NParks is also encouraging Singaporeans to play an active part in protecting marine life. In September, it will launch Singapore's first dive trail off Sisters' Islands.
The Marine Conservation Action Plan is part of the larger Nature Conservation Masterplan - a framework which consolidates NParks' conservation efforts on both land and sea.
Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee announced this on Saturday at the launch of this year's Festival of Biodiversity.
"This consolidates what NParks has been doing, and integrates its various programmes and projects into a holistic master plan,” said Mr Lee. “It will chart the direction of our conservation efforts for the next five years, and help to bring us closer to our vision of being a City in a Garden."
An educational resource package for pre-preschoolers was also launched. It includes a picture book which focuses on Singapore's flora and fauna.
"The book contains a lot of animals, as well as flora that I have seen on my walks, and I hope that it will bring authenticity and interest to the children,” said Mr Lee. "I hope that parents will also recognise that all this greening of Singapore should not go to waste because nature is really the best teacher for children."
The public can learn about nature conservation at the festival, which is on at VivoCity this weekend.
- CNA/ec
New blueprint to conserve Singapore's marine heritage
Audrey Tan Straits Times AsiaOne 28 Jun 15;
Coral reefs and other marine habitats will be better protected under a new plan that also maps out ways of re-populating Singapore's waters with giant clams and sea turtles.
The Marine Conservation Action Plan, helmed by the National Parks Board (NParks), is the first official one to protect and enhance Singapore's marine heritage.
It was launched yesterday by Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee at the NParks' Festival of Biodiversity at VivoCity.
Among its projects is one to increase the population of the Neptune's Cup Sponge in local waters. The sponge was thought to be globally extinct in the early 1900s until it was re-discovered off St John's Island in 2011. Singapore is now the only country with a known living specimen.
NParks is working with Tropical Marine Science Institute researcher Lim Swee Cheng on the project.
He told The Sunday Times that researchers hope to understand "basic but important" questions on the animal's biology and ecology, such as how it feeds and reproduces, its growth rate and role in the ecosystem.
"We have been monitoring one sponge and discovered that it is a fast-growing species, contrary to what many scientists thought; it doubled in size in three years," he said.
Under the plan, NParks will also pilot two dive trails to get more Singaporeans interested in marine life.
Complete with 20 underwater signboards that serve as activity stations and markers, they will open at Sisters' Islands Marine Park in September for approved operators to use for tours.
The action plan follows the Singapore Blue Plan 2009 - which called for a full marine survey and marine nature reserves - proposed by academics and civil society groups.
Coral expert Chou Loke Ming, who helped craft the 2009 document, said: "It was a long journey towards the country's first marine park.
"An officially designated plan is certainly needed as a follow-up to ensure that conservation effort is sustained on a permanent basis."
He added that the Sisters' Islands Marine Park is not large, and that it makes "ecological sense" to have a network of small marine parks to maintain biological connections between them.
The marine action plan is part of a broader Nature Conservation Masterplan, also announced by Mr Lee yesterday.
The latter is a framework which all of NParks' conservation work on land and sea will come under.
Dr Lena Chan, director of the NParks National Biodiversity Centre, said it will mean greater integration between different aspects of conservation work, from scientific research to community outreach and sharing of data.
"The masterplan will pull together all these different aspects to make it a comprehensive, systematic and integrated framework," she said.
Mr Lee added: "The master- plan will chart the direction of our conservation efforts for the next five years."
2 dive trails to open at Sisters' Islands Marine Park in September
Two dive trails - one shallow, one deep - at Sisters' Islands are part of conservation plan
AUDREY TAN Straits Times 29 Jun 15;
For the first time, nature appreciation in Singapore is plumbing new depths.
Two dive trails at Sisters' Islands Marine Park, complete with 20 underwater signboards that provide information on marine biodiversity, are being piloted by the National Parks Board (NParks) in September.
Navigating the dive trails will bring scuba divers up close with Singapore's underwater gems, such as feather stars that sway in the currents, or shy butterfly fish that zoom away when approached.
The trails, part of a broader Marine Conservation Action Plan, were announced by Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee at the Festival of Biodiversity yesterday.
The plan is the latest blueprint, and Singapore's first official one, that lays out efforts to protect and enhance the country's marine heritage and biodiversity.
It follows the Singapore Blue Plan 2009, a masterplan for the marine environment proposed by academics and civil society groups. Although some recommendations have been adopted - such as a recently completed comprehensive marine biodiversity survey - a cohesive marine conservation plan has never been clearly spelt out, until now.
The latest effort will also include species recovery efforts to increase the populations of critically endangered native species such as giant clams and the Neptune's Cup Sponge - thought to be globally extinct since the early 1900s until it was re-discovered off St John's Island in 2011.
The dive trails were developed to "encourage a deeper appreciation for Singapore's marine biodiversity", NParks said.
The two circular trails are at different depths, to allow divers to enjoy different types of marine life.
The Shallow Dive Trail circles around coral reef and sandy habitats 4m to 6m underwater, while the Deep Dive Trail will guide them through coral rubble and rocky and silty habitats 10m to 16m deep.
Divers will also be encouraged to participate in NParks' Citizen Science programme that the Board is trying out at the trails. Each diver will be loaned a dive trail guide, which is waterproof and can be used with the activity station signboards along the trail.
They can note down their observations at each station, by counting the number of fish between two markers, for example, filling in water visibility estimates, or simply jotting down general observations.
Dr Karenne Tun, deputy director of the coastal and marine division of the NParks National Biodiversity Centre, said the data collected will be freely accessible on the marine park's website and updated regularly.
"Citizen science can supplement other scientific surveys and help us collect a variety of long-term data, such as patterns in underwater visibility, for example," she added.
Dr Huang Danwei, a marine biologist from the National University of Singapore's (NUS) biological sciences department, said that while researchers have received plenty of help from volunteers who report marine life sightings, the challenge was in standardising the data.
"This programme could see scientists, NParks and recreational divers working together to enhance marine science research in Singapore," he said.
Only dive operators approved by NParks can conduct the dives, and they must adhere to a code of conduct.
For example, they must ensure that their divers do not take, intentionally disturb or touch marine life, and that they practise good buoyancy control - an important skill so as to avoid kicking, damaging and potentially killing marine life.
For now, NParks said the plan is to limit the dive trail to a maximum of 20 divers, or two standard boat-loads, at any one time to ensure minimal damage and avoid overcrowding. But it is also doing a feasibility study to firm up the numbers.
Ms Debby Ng, founder of marine conservation group Hantu Bloggers, applauded NParks' safeguards, saying that such guidelines could be a role model for industry practices.
"I think the dive trails are a great idea, it is a good way to educate scuba divers on Singapore's marine biodiversity, especially since many of them were certified after diving abroad."
Nature Conservation Masterplan consolidates Singapore’s biodiversity conservation efforts
NParks Press Release 27 Jun 15;
27 June 2015 - Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee announced the Nature Conservation Masterplan (NCMP) this morning, setting out the course of Singapore’s biodiversity conservation plans for the next five years. The NCMP is a framework that consolidates NParks’ focus of systematically coordinating, strengthening and intensifying efforts in biodiversity conservation by integrating various programmes and projects into a holistic masterplan. Implementing the NCMP will help us achieve our City in a Garden vision (Please see media factsheet 1 for more details).
NParks has implemented some of these initiatives over the past few months. The NCMP comprises four plans - Physical, Programmatic, Research and Community Stewardship. In terms of physical planning, plans for Nature Parks like Windsor and Chestnut Nature Parks, which act as buffers for our Nature Reserves, have been rolled out. Community stewardship is being encouraged through a suite of Citizen Science Programmes like the first NParks Garden Bird Count which took place in April this year.
Examples of species recovery efforts include critically endangered species native to Singapore like the Singapore Freshwater Crab; the two Hanguana plant species which had been recently discovered; the Singapore Ginger; the Eye of the Crocodile, one of the most endangered mangrove tree species in the world; the local wild population of the Red Sealing Wax Palm and our native orchids. Conservation of Singapore’s marine habitats and marine biodiversity will be looked into under the NParks Marine Conservation Action Plan (MCAP).
Marine Conservation Action Plan
One key focus of the Marine Conservation Action Plan (MCAP) is the establishment of Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. NParks is undertaking species recovery efforts for the giant clams and Neptune Cup Sponge. Additional efforts to conserve the Green and Hawksbill Turtles will also be established at the Marine Park. To encourage public appreciation of Singapore’s diverse marine ecosystem, the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Dive Trail will be ready for public access by end September 2015. There are also plans for the restoration and enhancement of marine habitats like shallow water reefs and intertidal areas, not only at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, but also Changi Beach Park and Labrador Nature Reserve (Please see media factsheet 2 for more details).
Outreach and Education
NParks has developed Community in Nature (CIN), an initiative to conserve Singapore’s natural heritage. CIN aims to better reach out to the community, encouraging them to bond over and with nature. Furthering outreach and education efforts targeted at various age groups, the NParks preschool educational resource package, and a booklet that chronicles Singapore’s history of biodiversity conservation titled, “Biodiversity — Nature Conservation in the Greening of Singapore”, were also launched at Festival of Biodiversity this morning. The NParks preschool educational resource package was developed in consultation with the Ministry of Education’s preschool branch, and is the first comprehensive set of preschool educational resource materials that focuses on local plants and animals. (Please see media factsheet 3 for more details).
Festival of Biodiversity 2015
The Festival of Biodiversity is an annual celebration of the community's efforts to conserve Singapore's natural heritage. Into its fourth year, the Festival of Biodiversity will be held on 27 and 28 June 2015 at VivoCity, Central Court B. In celebration of SG50 this year, the Festival of Biodiversity is featuring 50 fascinating plants and animals that are closely linked to Singapore’s heritage. Children can also enjoy free art and craft workshops to learn more about Singapore's flora and fauna. The Festival is supported by VivoCity.
Nature Conservation Masterplan (NCMP)
NParks Press Release 27 Jun 15;
The Nature Conservation Masterplan (NCMP) sets out the course of Singapore’s biodiversity conservation plans for the next five years. This framework consolidates NParks’ focus of systematically coordinating, strengthening and intensifying efforts in biodiversity conservation by integrating various programmes and projects into a holistic masterplan. Implementing the NCMP will help us achieve our City in a Garden vision, including the key aims of enriching biodiversity in our urban environment, and engaging and inspiring communities to co-create a greener Singapore.
The NCMP comprises these aspects:
Physical planning for conservation of places
Physical planning involves the safeguarding and strengthening of Singapore's core biodiversity areas*, as well as developing byffer areas* and improving ecological connectivity*.
* (Examples of core biodiversity areas: our Nature Reserves
Examples of buffer areas: the recently announced Nature Parks
Examples of improvement of ecological connectivity: Nature ways and the Park Connector Network)
It will also involve enhancing and managing green areas in Singapore, like Jurong Lake Gardens and the Punggol area. Streetscape greenery, rooftop and vertical greenery, as well as community gardens also enhance ecological connectivity, which is important as it facilitates the movement of biodiversity and exchange of genetic material, leading to healthier populations.
Programmes for conservation activities
Biodiversity conservation programmes will initially focus on three areas: species recovery, habitat protection and enhancement, and the management of human-wildlife interaction.
Species recovery will focus on species that are endemic, native, rare or critically endangered. Species such as the Singapore Freshwater Crab (Johora singaporensis); the Hanguana rubinea and Hanguana triangulata; the Singapore Ginger; the Eye of the Crocodile, one of the most endangered mangrove tree species in the world; the local wild population of the Red Sealing Wax Palm and our orchids are accorded priority because they are critically endangered and native to Singapore.
Habitat protection and enhancement will benefit the conservation of rare native species and increase the native biodiversity of some of our degraded areas. For example, enrichment planting at degraded forest patches in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve has provided a more conducive environment for the Banded Leaf monkey (Presbytis femoralis) to thrive.
Management of human-wildlife interaction will focus on increasing the positive aspects and addressing the negative impacts that may arise with species common in urban areas (e.g. long-tailed macaques and wild boars).
Research for better understanding
The research plan includes comprehensive surveys and long term monitoring of biodiversity. Examples include the recently announced Bukit Timah Nature Reserve survey, monitoring of coral spawning, and NParks’ ongoing bird ringing efforts.
Research capabilities will be strengthened through:
(a) The use of technology to collect and analyse data, such as the SGBioAtlas app, databases like BIOME, and data analytic tools like Geographic Information System (GIS); and
(b) The application of numerical modelling to the design of conservation management, e.g. agent-based modelling to coral reef and mangrove conservation management plans.
Community Stewardship for inclusiveness
As part of its national strategy to conserve Singapore’s natural heritage, NParks had developed the Community in Nature (CIN) initiative, which aims to synergise and coordinate all NParks’ nature-related events, activities, and programmes to better reach out to the community, encouraging them to bond over and with nature. Plans for community stewardship to build public interest and involvement in biodiversity conservation will target families, schools, volunteers, conservation groups and the general public.
For families, this involves encouraging families to experience nature and learn more about our biodiversity through programmes like My Family’s Nature Pledge where nature appreciation is promoted as a healthy, social activity for the family to bond over.
For schools, this involves instilling a love for nature in students through incorporating biodiversity aspects into the school curricula, and greening of school premises through programs like Greening Schools for Biodiversity (see page 3 for more info), Community in Nature and Community in Bloom programmes.
For volunteers and conservation groups, this involves bringing together a national network of people who are passionate about conservation, and equipping them with relevant knowledge and resources in their conservation efforts.
For the general public, this involves spreading the message on the importance of conserving our natural heritage, and instilling a love for nature in everyone. An example is the recently announced Citizen Science programmes, and the upcoming NParks Garden Butterfly Count, which opens for registration on 27 June 2015.
Marine Conservation Action Plan – an Action plan of the NCMP
NParks Press Release 27 Jun 15;
The Marine Conservation Action Plan (MCAP) takes reference from the Nature Conservation Master Plan (NCMP), and encapsulates NParks’ efforts at conserving Singapore’s marine biodiversity.
Singapore has coastal and marine habitats distributed along the northern coast, northern offshore islands (Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong) and the southern offshore islands which are home to a rich amount of biodiversity including:
More than 250 species of hard corals (32% of hard coral species found worldwide);
Over 100 species of reef fish;
About 200 species of sponges; and
12 seagrass species
The following are some of the programmes and initiatives that NParks has under the MCAP.
Programmatic Plans
A) Species Recovery
I. Reintroduction of the Giant Clam (Tridacna gigas)
The largest species of bivalve mollusc in the world, these Giant Clams can grow up to 1.2m in size. This species is no longer found in local waters. However, there is historical evidence that Tridacna gigas used to grow in our waters, as realised by the archaeological discovery of the shells in various places in Singapore.
NParks is currently working with Dr Neo Mei Lin from the Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) to reintroduce these iconic marine animals back into our local waters. Currently, six individuals have been successfully relocated from the TMSI aquarium to a natural reef area at Small Sister’s Island where they are being closely monitored.
The Giant Clam specimens were first transferred from the tanks in TMSI to buckets and transported by boat to Small Sister’s Island. During the boat trip, the Giant Clams were continually flushed with fresh seawater to ensure that they were kept moist at all times. The specimens were then transferred onto baskets and lowered into the water using a lift bag. Finally, researchers transferred them to a suitable site with a low amount of silt so the clams can be placed stably. Introduction of these clams to other reefs will be carried out if the reefs are assessed to be suitable for their growth.
II. Neptune’s Cup Sponge (Cliona patera)
The Neptune’s Cup Sponge is one of the larger known sponges. It is so-named due to its wineglass shape and can grow up to a metre in height and diameter. The specimen that was first used to describe this species was collected in Singapore waters in 1820. It was thought be extinct since early 1900s until it was rediscovered in Singapore in 2011. Singapore is currently the only country that has a known location with a living specimen of the Neptune’s Cup Sponge.
The Neptune’s Cup sponge has been successfully transplanted to the Marine Park in early 2015. Over the next few months, NParks will be working with Mr Lim Swee Cheng (TMSI) to experiment with a new propagation technique for the sponge. If propagation of this sponge is successful, NParks will work towards slowly increasing the population of the Neptune’s Cup Sponge in our local waters.
III. Coral Gene Bank and Nurseries
A coral nursery will be set up at Sisters’ Islands to collect all 255 species of corals found in Singapore waters. The nursery plays an important role in the conservation of corals, especially in view of rising sea temperatures. Corals undergo bleaching when the temperature of the waters gets too high. This means that they lose a major source of food and are more susceptible to disease. With the creation of a coral nursery, rarer corals that are threatened with coral bleaching can be moved to a controlled environment which would help to ensure their survival.
IV. Turtle Hatchery and Outreach Facility
A turtle hatchery - Singapore’s pioneer sea turtle conservation project will be set up at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. Sponsored by HSBC, the Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles will be the key species covered under the project.
The hatchery will provide a safe refuge for rescued and collected turtle eggs, giving them a chance to hatch safely. This is important as only a few from each clutch of 100+ to 200 eggs make it to adulthood. The hatchery would also provide research opportunities to study local sea turtle populations.
Feasibility studies are currently underway to assess the conditions of the shore on Small Sister’s Island for the creation of a nursery.
Education and outreach programmes will also be put in place to create awareness of our local marine biodiversity. These include visits to the turtle hatchery, involvement in egg collection and transfer to the hatchery and habitat maintenance.
The $500,000 sponsorship from HSBC will support the building of a facility for overnight visits during hatching periods and for outreach programmes that are conducted on the island, over a period of five years. Educational signs and materials will also be developed for the outreach facility. HSBC staff will be involved in habitat maintenance and possibly collection of eggs when they are found and reported by members of the public.
B) Habitat Enhancement
A biodiversity enhancement unit is any designed structure that enriches and enhances existing biodiversity in the marine habitats. Through the installation of such units, NParks also hopes to increase visibility and accessibility of marine biodiversity to the general public. Enhancement units can be as simple as a structure that provides surfaces that are suitable for marine organisms to settle and grow on. Some examples of biodiversity enhancement units are listed in the table below.
Biodiversity Enhancement Unit
Tidal Pool Units
Made of concrete suitable for the marine environment, these units retain seawater at low tide. This creates a habitat similar to natural rock pools, providing an additional hiding place for marine organisms.
To design the units, researchers first had to study the natural rock pool habitats for features that made them suitable habitats for marine organisms. These include the presence of crevices, grooves and pits found in the rocks. The features were inputted into a software programme (CASU) which then created a design that would most closely mimic a natural habitat. Multiple designs can be created based on the different features inputted into the software.
Fish Aggregating Devices
A fish aggregating device is any structure that is used to attract and aggregate fish. Fish aggregating devices can be floating or fixed, depending on the environmental conditions and their purpose. They are widely used as a tool to aid small-scale fisheries to target and catch fish species that otherwise would be difficult. They can also be used to effectively restore and enhance fish biodiversity in target conservation areas.
BioBoss Tiles
BioBoss tiles are concrete structures (200x200x32mm) that were also created using the software CASU. These tiles are incorporated into the seawalls, providing microhabitats for marine organisms, and hence increasing biodiversity on these coastal defences.
These tiles were designed in a collaborative project between NParks and NUS.
Floating Pontoon
A floating pontoon that serves as a biodiversity enhancement unit is similar to the usual floating pontoons one sees at Marinas but with modifications to encourage biodiversity. NParks is working with consultants to design these pontoons to maximise biodiversity enhancement potential.
I. Changi Beach Park
Tidal pool units will be placed on a portion of the seawall at Changi Beach Park, Car Park 5 (CBP CP5) and will be ready by the end of the year. A total of 15 tidal pool units, with 3 different designs, will be installed at the area.
Placement of the tidal pool units on CBP CP5 seawall
Figure 1: Placement of the tidal pool units on CBP CP5 seawall.
Natural rock pool at Pulau Biola
Figure 2: Natural rock pool at Pulau Biola
II. Labrador Nature Reserve
Floating pontoons will be installed outside of the inter-tidal areas at Labrador Nature Reserve (LNR), parallel to the shore and aligned with the existing jetty. Construction of these biodiversity enhancement units will begin in mid-2016.
Indicative conceptual enhancement plan for LNR
Figure 3: Indicative conceptual enhancement plan for LNR
III. Sisters’ Islands Marine Park
BioBoss tiles will be placed along the smooth surfaces of the existing rock bunds to attract different marine organisms. Apart from this, other enhancement measures such as floating pontoon, tidal pools and fish aggregating devices will also be installed around Sisters’ Islands.
Installed BioBoss plot configurations
Figure 4: Installed BioBoss plot configurations of (A) ‘Low’, (B) ‘Medium’, and (C) ‘High’ fragmentation levels on the seawalls at Pulau Hantu. (D-F) Close-ups of BioBoss tiles.
Community Stewardship Plans
Sisters' Islands Marine Park Dive Trail
A new pilot dive trails has been developed off Sisters’ Island. Trial dives have been conducted over the past few months to assess the suitability of the routes as well as to test out the user friendliness of the underwater signs. These dive trails vary in level of difficulty and cater to divers of different levels.
The diorama that has been set up at Festival of Biodiversity 2015 offer a glimpse of what the dive trails will feature.
Dive trails will be ready for public access by end September 2015.
Sisters' Islands Marine Park Dive Trail
NParks Press Release 26 Jun 15;
To encourage a deeper appreciation for Singapore’s marine biodiversity, NParks will be opening Singapore’s first dive trail located at Pulau Subar Laut or the Big Sister’s Island, Sisters’ Islands Marine Park in the third quarter of 2015. The creation of the Park was first announced at the Festival of Biodiversity 2014, and since then, NParks has initiated public activities like the monthly guided intertidal walks as well as the soon-to-be-launched dive trail. These low-impact activities will continue while NParks undertakes a feasibility study that will help us plan sustainable activities within the Marine Park while enhancing the existing habitats and the biodiversity they support.
The Sisters’ Islands Marine Park Pilot Dive Trail will be marked with underwater signboards that will serve as both station markers and underwater educational resources. Divers will also be encouraged to contribute towards the upkeep of the dive trails, for example, by helping to sweep off accumulated algae on the station signboards using the attached cleaning brushes.
NParks will be conducting pilot dives with a selected group of leisure divers with varying levels of experience to assess the suitability and functionality of the dive trail and to implement activities that will provide the best dive experience.
Shallow and deep trails
Two separate trails with varying depths have been established at the pilot site. Approximately 100m in length, the shallow trail will take divers around a circuitous loop to a maximum depth of 6m, and the deep trail will reach a maximum depth of 15m. Divers will be guided through 20 stations marked by signs which will bring their attention to the variety of marine biodiversity and reef features present in Singapore’s waters. To encourage participation in our Citizen Science program, some stations will engage divers in simple biodiversity or water quality surveys. The minimum requirement for those who wish to dive at the trails is an Open Water Diver certification.
About the Shallow Trail
The Shallow Trail is characterised by higher light levels and consequently higher hard coral cover as compared to the Deep Trail. Some corals along the Shallow Dive Trail were salvaged from reefs in Singapore that were threatened or designated for reclamation. They were relocated to the reef at the Shallow Trail and their condition is currently being monitored.
About the Deep Trail
The Deep Trail is characterised by lower light levels as compared to the Shallow Trail. It is located towards the end of the reef slope of the Big Sister’s Island, and reaches a maximum of 15m depth. Visibility — which is affected by the amount of suspended particles and algae in the water — is also lower at the Deep Trail.
Dive windows and regulations
NParks will work with dive operators to facilitate guided dive trips at the Pilot Dive Trails that they can offer to their diving customers. NParks will regulate the diving activities based on suitable dive windows and will maintain a cap on the number of divers allowed during each window to ensure minimal damage to the reefs and avoid overcrowding at the trails. Dive windows will be limited to periods when currents are suitable for diving, which will be determined using hydrodynamic predictions for the site. It is estimated that there will be several days with suitable dive windows in any given month.
To ensure dive safety while safeguarding the reef habitat, only dive operators that meet all necessary criteria and who agree to adhere to regulations will be approved to conduct the guided dives. Regulations that include prohibitions on the removal or collection of any living or non-living components of the reef will be imposed to safeguard the reef habitat and biodiversity within the Marine Park. The cost of the dive trips will be set independently by operators, and may differ based on the types of packages and the services they offer.
Visitor information
The pilot dive trail will be ready for public access by end September 2015. Interested members of the public can sign up for the dive trails by contacting the list of approved operators, which will be finalised and announced on the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park website.
New publications and educational resources
NParks Press Release 27 Jun 15;
New Urban Systems Studies booklet titled “Biodiversity — Nature Conservation in the Greening of Singapore”
“Biodiversity - Nature Conservation in the Greening of Singapore" is an Urban Systems Studies (USS) booklet produced by the Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore (CLC) in collaboration with NParks. It tells the story of biodiversity conservation in Singapore, from its pre-independent days to the present. Research and interviews began in 2011 and the booklet was launched on 27 June at the Festival of Biodiversity 2015.
Previous Urban Systems Studies have been published on subjects ranging from Singapore’s water and transport systems to housing and industrial infrastructure, among others.
Highlights
With the added emphasis on being practitioner-centric, the book provides insights into the major biodiversity conservation decisions that have been made, capturing key policy and institutional developments over the course of a few decades. It traces the development of NParks’ predecessor institutions – the Nature Reserves Board as well as the Parks and Recreation Department, and their roles in biodiversity conservation in Singapore. The evolution of how biodiversity issues are viewed by government and Singaporeans is also brought out, with biodiversity issues playing more prominent roles in Singapore’s international relations in the recent decade.
Box Stories
Box stories offer readers little-known information about the conservation of Labrador shore, and the development of the Singapore Index on Cities’ Biodiversity.
The Labrador Shore story gives a glimpse into the passionate and sustained campaign to prevent the shore from being completely destroyed by reclamation and port development. It features behind-the-scene discussions which ultimately led to the Labrador Nature Reserve and Labrador Park that we know of today.
The Singapore Index story relates some of the circumstances that set the stage for, and discussions that eventually led to the development of the Singapore Index, which has positioned Singapore as a global thought leader in the field of urban biodiversity conservation.
Quotes and Interviews
Key persons involved in Singapore's biodiversity conservation journey were interviewed to capture knowledge and perspectives that would otherwise remain undocumented. The booklet pulls together quotes and perspectives from Mr Kenneth Er, Mr Ng Lang, Mr Poon Hong-Yuen, and Dr Tan Wee Kiat, present and past CEOs of NParks who have been involved in the greening of Singapore over the years. Other experts interviewed include Dr Geh Min of the Nature Society (Singapore), butterfly enthusiast Mr Khew Sin Khoon, and Prof Leo Tan, marine biologist and member of the Nature Reserves Board.
Offering comprehensive information and in-depth industry knowledge, the booklet will be a good resource and key component in training leaders on urban governance.
The booklet can be bought at: www.amazon.com (print and digital editions), and store.vitalsource.com (digital edition only). Print editions are also available at Kinokuniya, MPH and Popular bookstores in Singapore. More information can also be found at: www.clc.gov.sg/Publications/USS2013.htm.
About the Singapore Urban Systems Studies Booklet Series
The Singapore Urban Systems Studies (USS) Booklet Series draws on original Urban Systems Studies research by the Centre for Liveable Cities, Singapore (CLC) into Singapore's development over the last half-century. The series is organised around domains such as water, transport, housing, planning, industry and the environment. Developed in close collaboration with relevant government agencies and drawing on exclusive interviews with pioneer leaders, these practitioner-centric booklets present a succinct overview and key principles of Singapore’s development model. These booklets are meant as course materials for CLC’s training courses.
Pre-school Educational Resource Package - a City in a Garden and its Biodiversity
Supported by the Garden City Fund's Plant-A-Tree Programme (Education and Conservation) fund, the National Parks Board (NParks) will be giving pre-schools a complimentary set of ‘A Pre-school Educational Resource Package on Singapore, a City in a Garden, and its Biodiversity’ in July 2015.
This is the first time that a comprehensive package of resource materials focusing on Singapore’s local flora and fauna have been designed and produced specially for children aged between 5 to 6 years old.
Reaching out to almost 80,000 pre-schoolers in 1,600 pre-schools, this programme provides every kindergarten and childcare in Singapore with a treasure chest of educational resources crafted in line with the latest kindergarten curriculum.
This programme also aims to:
Raise awareness of our City in a Garden amongst pre-school children; and
Encourage pre-school educators to use local examples of plants and animals, when teaching their students about the rich biodiversity that surrounds them on our island, by making resources readily available for them
List of Educational Resources
Every pre-school will receive two sets of the pre-school educational resource package. Each package consists of the following resources:
'An adventure in our City in a Garden' Picture Book
(Available in both big and small book formats)
Synopsis: What fascinating plants and animals live together with us in our City in a Garden? Join Kaysee and Sunny on an exciting nature adventure as they explore the park connector in their neighbourhood. With eye-catching illustrations and fun rhymes, learn about Singapore’s colourful flora and fauna, and love them a little more!
An adventure in our City in a Garden Picture Book
'Peeky the Pangolin Explores Singapore' DVD
1. Peeky the Pangolin explores Singapore’s Trees
Follow Peeky the Pangolin on a wild adventure as he explores some of the wonderful trees and wildlife that make up our City in a Garden. On his trip, he looks at the different parts of a tree and why they're important. Along the way, Peeky also finds native trees such as the Tembusu and Casuarina, and explains about the different ways that they can help people and animals.
2. Peeky the Pangolin explores Singapore’s Wildlife
Being a Singaporean animal, Peeky the Pangolin is keen to meet some of his other native friends. Join him as he embarks upon an adventure to explore Singapore’s wildlife. He discovers many birds, mammals, animals and reptiles living on our island and soon realizes what important roles they play in keeping our home clean and green.
3. Peeky the Pangolin explores Singapore, a City in a Garden
Being a native animal, Peeky the Pangolin is eager to explore his island home. On his journey, Peeky visits different parks, gardens, park connectors and nature reserves. He discovers many beautiful trees and plants, and meets other native animals. By the end of his exciting trip, Peeky agrees that Singapore is a wonderful City in a Garden that we must all appreciate and look after.
Peeky the Pangolin explores Singapore
Posters (Native Animals, Numbers, Flowers and Fruits)
Posters are useful educational tools for pre-school education. The four posters featuring native animals, numbers, flowers and fruits not only add colours to the walls of the classroom but also extend the children’s learning. These posters complement the picture book and can be used as a pre-reading and post-reading activity.
Posters
Picture Word Cards
Engage young children with 30 hand-painted picture word cards of flora and fauna that can be found in Singapore. The back of each card contains key information on the plant or animal, including fun facts that will capture the interest of the children.
Picture word cards
Snap Card Game
Observe, React, Snap! Match two cards with the same animal or plant. Be the first one to shout out “Snap!” to win the cards.
Snap Card game
Implementation of the Programme:
All pre-schools in Singapore will be receiving the resources, at no cost to them
Pre-schools can expect the sets to be delivered to them in July 2015
Workshops on how to use the set of educational resources will be conducted for teachers and children on the following dates:
- Festival of Biodiversity on 27 to 28 June 2015
Children can look forward to art & craft workshops featuring the pre-school educational resources such as storytelling, demonstration of the use of picture word cards and posters and interactive Snap Card Game session.
- Teachers’ workshop on 30 June 2015
- ECDA conference on 26 September 2015
Workshop will be conducted for teachers on how to implement these resources in class. Teachers who have been using the prototypes will be invited to do short sharing about how they have used these educational resources in their class. Students’ work and photos of students’ using the resources will be displayed.
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