 wetlandsa publication of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve |
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9 No 3 otters: water puppies of the reserve Hillgrove secondary school adopts the reserve singapore's first wetland reserve: what does this mean? reintroduction of native mangrove flora some interesting notes on the sunbirds volunteer training at mawai eco camp Commonwealth secondary school student volunteers home on high |
 To
the staff and teachers of Hillgrove Secondary School, 16 November 2002 was
significant as this day marked a launch of the school's official adoption
of the freshwater pond in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. From the moment
it was spearheaded in April 2002, Mrs Susan Tham, a teacher of Hillgrove
Secondary, rose to the challenge of leading a group of 20 students from
2E1,2E2 and 2E3 (year 2002), on an 8 month "mission" of discovering the
principles of ownership through an "Adopt-A-Park" scheme that the School
had undertaken with Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.A moving speech delivered by their Principal, Mdm Thoo Mei Lan, served to emphasize that the school fully supports this 5-year partnership with the Reserve. She is clearly proud of the efforts that the staff and students have put in preparing for this launch. We will not be surprised, for as we read this excerpt from Mdm Thoo's speech, one will be able to fathom her sentiments. "In a highly urbanised country like Singapore, SBWR is one of the few remaining natural areas where pupils can learn through first-hand observation, the inter-relationship between wildlife and the natural environment. They can see tangible manifestations of the abstract environmental concepts such as food webs, food chains and ecosystems, which they learn in Science and Geography. We hope that by adopting a part of the reserve, via the fresh water pond, and by involving pupils in its maintenance, they will develop a deeper sense of understanding of the inter-connectedness of flora, fauna, man and the environment. In the process, pupils will also appreciate the impact that man's daily actions can have on the natural environment. Greater understanding will hopefully engender a love for nature and our natural heritage and instil a sense of ownership for the conservation of nature. Besides the freshwater pond, we hope this project will also open up opportunities for the reserve to be used as an "outdoor classroom" and as a venue for various enrichment activities for pupils, thereby extending awareness of the importance of conservation to the wider school population. I would like to thank our HOD Mr. Thiru for spearheading the project. I am grateful to our Art teacher, Ms. Neo for her enthusiasm in guiding pupils to complete a whole series of painted tiles depicting the life that can be found in the freshwater pond. That certainly fired the interest and imagination of the pupils. I would also like to thank Ms. Jeanne Tan, the Senior Education Officer of SBWR for patiently teaching the pupils about the flora and fauna of the freshwater pond. She has successfully kindled their sparks of interest into a burning desire to further their knowledge through reading and research. I am proud of our pioneer Hillgrovians for their passionate involvement in the project. Most of all I would like to thank Mrs. Susan Tham for her dedication. She has put her heart and soul into it. Without her, the project would not have come to fruition. She has made many trips to the reserve and has spent many hours to enthuse and guide the pupils. Today officially marks the beginning of what I hope would be a long and fruitful partnership with SBWR. Although it is a 5-year partnership, I certainly hope it would grow into a long-term one. Mrs. Yeow Lee Lin, who would be taking over as Principal of HSS with effect from 16 December 2002, is herself an adorer of nature. I have no doubt that she would continue to endorse and support the project and keep the flame burning. I also hope that the pupils' love for nature and interest in conservation would extend beyond their school life into adulthood. I hope they would become lifelong ambassadors for nature and spread the conservation message to their family, friends and everyone they come into contact with. The Journey begins for those who take the first step… In a concise, power-packed style, the students led the guests and audience through a presentation covering a series of different topics related to aquatic life. The following covers a short synopsis on the presentations from each of the four groups: The students from "Greentooth Tech" presented on the yellow bittern. Covering interesting aspects of its physical features, its hunting style, habitat, before giving an interesting conclusion of how his would tie in with their topic called " Survival of the Fittest". The "Pond Adventurers" truly amazed us with similar interesting aspects of some of the fish, plants, amphibians, snails and arachnids that inhabit the freshwater pond, with emphasis on its ecological functions of these plants and animals. A group of students from 2E2 and 2E3 who called themselves "Fish Mania" enthralled the audience by providing an insight into the world of fish in the freshwater pond. They too did a marvellous job, giving an excellent and informative introduction, presenting on the Arowana, Snakehead and Common Tilapia, with focus on aspects that dealt with ecology, history, biology and medicinal functions. Lastly, but definitely not the least, four students from 2E1, took us into another world, introducing the adaptations of animals in the freshwater habitats and animals living in the mangroves. This group emphasised on the interaction between the different communities of organisms and why conservation of these habitats are crucial. Discovering the principles of ownership In retrospect, ownership has always been a core component of the "Adopt-A-Park" scheme. By 'adopting' the freshwater pond, Hillgrove Secondary School has taken ownership of the pond. On a personal note, I would like to emphasize that ownership is more than just keeping something that belongs to you. Ownership is maximising to its fullest potential, what is given to you or to your charge. Ownership is all about "giving", encouraged out of a sense of responsibility and duty. It can also be a privilege and joy for those who claim that ownership, as we see with the staff and students of HSS on 16 November. I truly believe that every participating Hillgrovian and staff had been infused, not only with a sense of knowledge and achievement, but they have also interjected a lasting impression for their school. Ownership is not a personal show. To the Hillgrovians, it is public, it is about community. In the past few months, they have vested an interest in nature, which I do believe somewhere along the way, had changed some of their perspective about the importance of what we have left of our natural heritage as well. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". I would like to leave this with you, that where one puts his or her vested interest in, the heart will follow. This is what ownership is all about. To each and every one of the students, keep up the good work of your contribution to your natural heritage, and believe for an impact to be passed on to the next few generations to come. |
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