 wetlandsa publication of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve |
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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 |
 The
countdown to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve 10th Anniversary began in December
2002 and culminated with a celebration on 6 December 2003. The celebration
marked a decade of Sungei Buloh’s history, from a nature park that almost
never was to a nature reserve and Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park.
Mr Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, was the guest of honour
who graced the occasion. Also present were Prof Leo Tan, Chairman of NParks,
and Mr Goh Kong Aik, Vice President, Group Public Affairs of HSBC and Dr
Tan Wee Kiat, CEO, NParks.  In
this event, Minister Mah launched the commemorative book, , “Sungei Buloh
Wetland Reserve – A Decade of Wetland Conservation” which captured the past
ten years of wetland conservation education in SBWR. This book was sponsored
by HSBC and is dedicated to the volunteers, friends and partners of SBWR,
for their labour of love and passion that helped mould what Sungei Buloh
is today. HSBC - a long-standing corporate partner – also donated S$100,000
to the Sungei Buloh Education Fund. This is to support the Reserve’s conservation
and education projects. The results of the year-long photography and nature
journal competitions were also announced and the winners recognised.  To
mark this historical event, ten representatives were invited on stage to
piece together the final pieces of a sundial. They are Minister Mah, Prof
Leo Tan, Dr Tan, Mr Goh, Dr Shawn Lum, Mr Keith Hillier, Ms Halilah Ahmad
and three students from the three schools that adopted SBWR. At the end of the ceremony, SBWR volunteers put up a lively, sing along show featuring three songs written and arranged by Ms Linda Fang Mei Ling. A lecturer by profession, she has been an active volunteer in the reserve for the past three years.  Students
from Commonwealth Secondary, Hillgrove Secondary and Woodlands Secondary
School were also present to act as station guides along the mangrove boardwalk,
freshwater pond at the nature gallery and butterfly trail respectively.
Visitors and guests had the opportunity to learn more about the mangroves,
freshwater pond and butterflies through the students’ interpretation. Minister Mah witnessed the planting of the Bruguiera hainesii. The introduction of these plants signifies Singapore’s commitment in restoring mangroves including the back mangroves.  Adding
to the colourful and exciting day, guests enjoyed themselves drawing and
painting alongside our volunteers cum artists, Ms Deborah Tay and Mr K S
Wong. This free and easy ‘Art in Wetland’ drawing session at the main bridge
attracted many appreciative eyes. They also got to see migratory birds close-up
through telescopes set up by HSBC and SBWR volunteers at the Main Hide.
The community in Sungei Buloh had added liveliness to the wetland reserve and created the carnival-like celebration by setting up tables selling craft materials, conducting henna hand painting sessions, conducting art workshops, setting up exhibitions, cartoon screenings and games at the Theatrette. Without the support of all levels in the community, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve would not be what it is today, the ecological jewel of an urbanised Singapore. |
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© Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve |