In order for actions to occur, one must be aware of the issue and also have the knowledge of what the issue was about. This is why education and public awareness are of great important to encourage public involvement.

To enhance education and public awareness, we have to:

1. Increase appreciation, awareness and understanding of Singaporeans for nature through public seminars, road shows and events

Throughout the year, biodiversity-related seminars and workshops are conducted. There are also events such as Earth Day, World Environment Day and many more. All these are not solely organised by NParks alone. Various interest group such as the Nature Society of Singapore also will have their own events from time to time to help reach out to the community.

MacRitchie Awareness Walk
(source: Steel Wool)

2. Promote volunteerism through biodiversity interest groups

There are a wide range of volunteer and outreach programs today for volunteers to choose from. It ranges from being a guide in the nature reserves, to having hands on and help in reforestation projects. These volunteering opportunities are also not solely offered by NParks alone, there are many other interest groups that are involved too.

One of Singapore’s largest conservation program is the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore. This program is coordinated by the volunteers of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research  and has an whooping average participation of 1,500 volunteers each year.

International Coastal Cleanup 2008
(source: Kenneth Pinto)

3. Integrate elements of biodiversity conservation into the curriculum of education (all levels)

It has been really common that schools of all levels have bought their students on a learning journey to our nature reserves or have workshops to learn more about biodiversity conservation. Some may have even involved their students in the “Greening Schools for Biodiversity” program whereby they are required to enhance the biodiversity in their school.

There is also a program called SUN Club: Special Projects to Understand Nature, that was established to instill nature appreciation in students with special needs . This program was launched on 3 October 2006 and the projects are tailored accordingly to the needs of the special needs children. This program was sponsored by the Singapore Press Holdings Foundation. Other than NParks itself, the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) and 5 special needs school was also involved. 

There is really an integration of biodiversity conservation for everyone in education !

(source: Sentosa)

Note: this page largely cited the 2009 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) by NParks.