1. Butterfly BIodiversity

Although the Southern Ridges is well-known for its biodiversity richness, there are certain regions that are especially important for the conservation of butterflies. Some parks will include Telok Blangah Hill Park and Mount Faber Park. In the Butterfly Garden, the experimental garden serves as a location for researchers to research on the butterfly species and even once extinct species like Clipper (Parthenos sylvia lilacinus), Common Sergeant (Athyma perius perius) and Yellow Glassy Tiger (Parantica aspasia aspasia).

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The Butterfly Garden consists of the flight cage and caterpillar breeding facilities. Within the flight cage, appropriate plants were chosen to enhance the aesthetics of the plant inventory. The public is able to see the butterflies from outside and to enter the flight cage when guided.

In order to enhance the 20 species of butterfly population, further initiatives by Nparks also include “Butterfly Garden at Hortpark. With such breeding-friendly environment for butterflies and such movements, the Butterfly Garden at Hortpark has definitely proved itself as useful and vital in the conservation of butterfly biodiversity.

In addition to that, collaboration between Nparks and Butterfly Circle definitely has potential for more essential future biodiversity conservation projects to happen.

2. Birds Biodiversity

As mentioned in all the different segments of the Southern Ridges, there are many points or spots to for bird watchers to observe birds from. Not to mention, there are many variety of birds ranging from sunbirds, bulbul, doves and many more. This shows that Southern Ridges actually has very vital place for the conservation of the biodiversity of birds.

Forest of Giants and the Singing Forest n Southern Ridges have very large birds-attracting trees. Therefore, this explains their rich biodiversity of birds which includes Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Straw-headed Bulbul, Common Lora, Brown-throated Sunbird, Dollarbid and White-throated Kingfisher. Such places are highly preserved for their flora and fauna, especially seen through the efforts by NParks mentioned in the “Initiatives by NParks”

3. Heritage and conservation of plants

Hortpark and Floral Walk are the only places in Southern Ridges that has different types of native trees for conservation. Some biodiversity of Hortpark includes the different types of flowers like the Pride of Cape, Red Orchid Bush and also Natal Red Top, Rose Natal Glass. Both of such plants originated from South Africa. Many of the other gardens in Hortpark include the Balinese Garden with tropical plants, Edible Garden which contains various vegetables, herbs and spices with culinary and medicinal uses, Native Garden which includes more than 100 species of plants and fishes. Other gardens include the Golden Garden, Silver Garden, Pitter Patter Potter Garden, Rooftop, Lifestyle Corner, Floral Walk, Water Garden and Vegetable Garden.

Some of the most important gardens mentioned in conserving natural heritage is the Native Garden and the Floral Walk. Native Garden aims to display and identify and evaluate how well native plants can survive in urban landscape and native fauna like birds and insects. Floral Walk features an ornamental foliage whi includes heliconia, ginger and banana plants.

There are tours in the Southern Ridges like the Kent Ridge Park Heritage Tour and Southern Ridges Nature Tour. Such tours educate children about the natural heritage of Singapore and thus, this can aid in the conservation of our natural heritage. Workshops like “My Garden in a Bottle” and“Starting Your First Plant” can also give children a first-hand experience as to growing plants. This workshop equips children with the necessary skills to grow and plant and through this, learn the reproduction of plants. This will cultivate the habit of growing a plant since young. Hopefully, this will improve in the conservation of plants in Singapore.