Outreach, Education and Awareness
Education of the public and major stakeholders is an important strategy to encourage long-term success in conserving the Singapore freshwater crab. Outreach and awareness programmes provide a platform to educate others about this species, its importance to the ecosystem and national significance.
Logo for the Singapore festival of biodiversity in 2014. Source: Flickr, NUS Toddycats.
An example is the
Festival of Biodiversity organised annually by NParks to promote awareness and appreciation for Singapore’s biodiversity. It also educates the public on conservation efforts and
inculcates a sense of pride to conserve our nation’s rich biodiversity. Such event allows the sharing of
valuable information from knowledgeable experts and volunteers to the public not just on the Singapore freshwater crab but also many of our nation’s very own flora and fauna. Moreover, learning about Singapore’s biodiversity can possibly encourage individuals to
share their knowledge and/or advocate for conservation efforts among their families and friends.
(Good news! The Festival of Biodiversity is back again this year. You can click here to find out more.)
A booth at Festival of Biodiversity where public can observe live specimens and understand about conservation efforts from experts and volunteers. Source: Flickr, NUS Toddycats.
Observing live specimens of the Singapore Freshwater crab during outreach events also aid the
role of personal experience and affect one’s recognition of local issue. Aside from an increase knowledge, the closer proximity with the species can also promote
greater affinity and concern towards conserving the species.
Local and international mass media features of the Singapore freshwater crab also serve to generate awareness about this critically endangered species to the public.
