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Vol 10 No 1 Feb 2004 A journey through 2003 Experience of a lifetime International Shorebirds Experts meet Bird RInging in the Reserve 2002 Birds in the Wetland Reserves An Uncensored Census at Sungei Buloh Kranji Nature Trail A green corridor Protected Area Wetland Management Course 6-15 Nov Sungei Buloh 10th Anniversary Celebration Nature and me		A Journey Through 2003 Linda Goh Senior Outreach Officer The year 2002 started off on a high note for Sungei Buloh as it was gazetted as a nature reserve on 1 Jan 2002, the first along with Labrador Nature Reserve in post-independence Singapore. In April 2002, it underwent a name change from Sungei Buloh Nature Park to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) to better reflect its enhanced status. In June 2002, SBWR was recognized as a site of international importance for migratory shorebirds with its entry into the East Asian Australasian Shorebird Site Network. The year 2003 was no less exciting as the staff geared up to celebrate Sungei Buloh’s 10th anniversary. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, MOS (MND), kick-started the year with the launch of the countdown to SBWR 10th anniversary with a myriad of conservation and education activities to engage the community and the public. The journal of the year begins here: 24 Jan 2003 SM’s Visit to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve SM and Mrs Lee visited Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on a sunny evening of 24 Jan. They were welcomed by the staff and volunteers and were brought for a guided walk that included bird watching. SM referred to SBWR as “a gem in NW Singapore” and encouraged NParks to “keep the maintenance up” when he signed the visitors’ book at the end of the visit. 18-20 Feb 2003 6th International Shorebird Working Group Meeting in SBWR In recognition of Sungei Buloh’s membership, Wetlands International- Oceania held their 6th International Shorebird Working Group Meeting in the reserve from 18-20 Feb. Nineteen participants from eleven countries, namely Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and the USA attended the meeting to review the 5-year Shorebird Action Plan 2001- 2005, and draft a 3-year workplan for implementation. 1 April 2003 Implementation of Partial Charge System SBWR embarked on a partial charge system to encourage visitors to visit the wetland reserve during off peak season. Entry is free for weekdays. The current charge system is applicable during peak season, Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and School Holidays. 5 June 2003 Project Celebration for ‘Birds in Wetland Reserves’ 65 students from 13 schools celebrated the successful completion of the “Birds in Wetland Reserves” web project jointly organized by SBWR, British Council and MOE. August 2003 Colour flagging of shorebirds in Singapore 2 SBWR staff were sent for training in Australia for colour flagging of shorebirds with partial funding from HSBC. This key conservation initiative commenced in Singapore in Aug. 20 September 2003 Launch of Kranji Nature Trail Dr Vivian Balakrishnan launched the new trail that links SBWR to Kranji Reservoir Park on 20 Sept with Prof Leo Tan, Chairman of National Parks Board and Mr Paul Lawrence, CEO of HSBC. HSBC contributed $50, 000 towards the production of educational materials for the new trial. 6 Nov –15 Nov 2003 Protected Area Wetland Management Course in Singapore SBWR and Biodiversity Centre organised the first ASEAN Protected Area Wetland Management Course in partnership with the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation for 10 wetland staff from five ASEAN countries. 6 Dec 2003 SBWR 10th anniversary celebration Minister Mah Bow Tan officiated the anniversary celebration and launched SBWR’s commemorative book, “Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve - A decade of wetland conservation.” HSBC showed its continued support for the Reserve’s education efforts with a donation of $100 000. 18 Dec 2003 Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park SBWR was declared Singapore’s 1st ASEAN Heritage Park on 18 Dec 2003. It is another conservation status attained and recognised region-wide. Find out more about the activities in the following pages.
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