Grasses at Sungei Buloh Nature Park: Guinea Grass and Lallang

WETlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Nature Park

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Vol 7 No 2
Aug 2000

The Truth
about Grass

Butterfly-Plant Relationships

List of butterflies
(1999-2000)

Beauty to Behold how animals see

More about the eyes of animals

Nesting Birds
at Sungei Buloh

Nesting
Little Heron

A walk with a Volunteer Guide: Keith Hillier

Nature Photographer
with a Mission:
Julian Wong

Earth Day Programmes

Nature in
the City

The Truth
about Grass

James Gan
Senior Conservation Officer
shares with you some of the unnoticed
virtues of the Park's wild grasses

Sungei Buloh Nature Park is home to mangrove trees and plants. But do you know that there are many other plants not necessarily associated with the mangroves found in the Park? They grow in inconspicuous places such as the side of tracks and footpaths.		"A weed is a plant whose virtues have not been discovered" Ralph Waldo Emerson
Most people know them as grasses. Some of them are commonly called weeds. The grasses have been largely ignored perhaps because they are not attractive to many people. They are, however, ecologically important plants. Grass flowers do not have petals. They are usually very small (no more than a few millimetres) and arranged in a group to form spikelets, spikes and panicles. The fruits develop on these spikelets and are like grains of very small rice.
*Guinea Grass*	Grass seeds are important to grain-eating birds as a food source. The Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata) and the Javan Munia (Lonchura leucogastroides) are examples of birds that depend on the Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum) for their food.	*Scaly-breasted Munia*
	This grass is widespread throughout the Park and can also be found around the Visitor Centre. It is a tall grass growing up to 2m high.

Once devoid of grass grains, the grass also serves as a lining material for the globular nests of these birds. The dense clumps of grass are also favourite nesting sites for birds like the Yellow-bellied Prinias (Prinia flaviventris).

Lallang (Imperata cylindrica) is another grass found in the Park.

*Lallang*	It is an important nesting material for birds such as the Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus). These birds make use of the long blades of grass to construct symmetrical hanging homes for which they are known. Birds such as the Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectrinia jugularis) also use the white long fine hairs of the fruits to line their nests.	*Baya* *Weaver's nests*
	Lallang patches can also be nesting sites. Slaty-breasted Rails (Rallus striatus) are known to have nested among lallang.

Featured here are just two of the many grasses that are important to some of the birds in the Park. So the next time you see these grasses, remember, they have a reason for being there.

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

An Introduction to
Butterfly-Plant
Relationships at
Sungei Buloh Nature Park

Khiew Sin Khoon
Park Volunteer

Lime Butterfly

The success of Sungei Buloh Nature Park's Butterfly Trail has brought our winged friends to the fore, as they are usually the first of nature's ambassadors to greet visitors to the Park.

Located at the main boardwalk leading to the Visitor Centre, the Butterfly Trail's colourful flowers have attracted several species of the larger butterflies at Sungei Buloh to feed at the trail. These butterflies, particularly the Blue Glassy Tiger, Dark Glassy Tiger, Common Mormon and Common Palmfly, are frequently seen in the vicinity of the trail at most times of the day.

Sungei Buloh, usually associated with bird-watching and mangrove flora and fauna, is also home to about 40 species of butterflies. Whilst this is not a large number of species, it is quite important to note that the diversity of the butterfly species has a direct relationship to the number of species of plants found at the Park. The caterpillars of most species of butterflies feed on plants (with the exception of certain Lycaenidae species that are "carnivorous" and feed on coccids and mealy bugs). The vegetation of Sungei Buloh cannot be compared with, for example, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, or the Central Catchment Area where the majority of the 250-odd species of butterflies in Singapore can be found.

It is therefore important to understand the ecology of the butterflies, in particular, their dependence on the plant species at Sungei Buloh. Whilst most adult butterflies feed on flowering plants and damp patches on forest floors, their caterpillar stages are heavily dependant on the particular host plant of the species.

For example, the often-encountered Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris macrina) feed on a type of creeper-weed found commonly at Sungei Buloh. It is believed that the Blue Glassy Tiger's lookalike, the Dark Glassy Tiger (Parantica agleoides agleoides) also shares the same host plant.

Common Mormon

The elegant Common Mormon often found fluttering near the Lantana flowers, depends on its host plant, the Indian Curry Leaf Plant (Murraya koenigii) or in its absence, Citrus plants.

The Common Palmfly feeds on the various palms found at the Park, and its favourite is the Yellow Cane Palm (Chrysalido carpus lutescens).

The list goes on, and for many of the butterfly species, their host plants are still unknown, and only through close observation and a dose of good luck will the gaps in our knowledge be filled in.

There are several species of Lycaenidae (these are small fast-flying butterflies) found at Sungei Buloh which occur in symbiotic relationship with the Kerengga ants. These are the Common Tit (Hypolycaena erylus teatus) and the Centaur Oak Blue (Arhopala pseudocentaurus nakula). Both species are known to feed on the leaves of Eugenia species.

The caterpillars of these two species exude a kind of sweet secretion on which the ants feed, in return for protection from predators. With the fierce "fire ants" protecting them, the caterpillars of these butterflies have a much higher chance of survival in the wild. It would take a very determined and thick-skinned predator to ignore the painful bites of the ants to get at the caterpillar. So the next time you get bitten by these "fire ants" at Sungei Buloh and secretly hope that these ants be exterminated, spare a thought for the survival of at least two of the butterfly species sharing the Park with us.

The fruit trees that can be found in Sungei Buloh are also known host plants to several species of butterflies found at the Park. Amongst these are the Mango—host plant for the Baron (Euthalia aconthea gurda), Rambutan—host plant to Blue Nawab (Polyura schreiber tisamenus), Lime (various Citrus species)—host plant to Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus malayanus), Banded Swallowtail (Papilio demolion demolion), and Common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus).

Caterpillar of the
Common Mormon

Pupae of the
Common Mormon

Even the humble grasses, lallang and "weeds" like the Common Asystasia support several species of butterflies. The Common Asystasia is the known host plant for the Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina bolina) and the sun-loving Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya wallacei). The latter can usually be found along the perimeter fence at the Park which is near the neighbouring farms. The pretty Common Tiger (Danaus genutia genutia) feeds on a creeper-vine which can be found growing along the fence separating the Park from one of the neighbouring farms.

The common Derris species, usually associated with Mangrove flora, is believed to support at least two species of butterflies. These are the Sumatran Sunbeam (Curetis saronis sumatrana) and the Common Awl (Hasora badra badra). The Sumatran Sunbeam is a fast-flying butterfly with bright orange black-bordered wings above, and a silvery white underside. This species is one of the resident species at Sungei Buloh, and is usually found near coastal areas. This butterfly is not found in the other nature reserves in the Central Catchment area.

It is therefore extremely important to understand the butterflies' dependence on plants for survival. Without the existence of its particular host plant, the corresponding butterfly species will become extinct at the Park.

More articles about butterflies
at Sungei Buloh

List of butterflies
at Sungei Buloh
(1999-2000)
(Vol 7 No 2, Aug 00)

Butterfly Monitoring and Introduction
at Sungei Buloh
(Vol 6 No 3, Dec 99)

Butterflies and their food plants
(Vol 6 No 1 Apr 99)

Butterfly Appreciation
(Vol 5 No 3, Nov 98)

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

List of
Butterfly Species
observed at Sungei Buloh Nature Park (1999-2000)

The total number of species found at Sungei Buloh Nature Park is not exhaustive. A longer continuous period of observation may yield other species not recorded so far.

Some of the species noted have only been observed once, and not seen again in the past year.

The changing vegetation in the adjacent farmlands may also attract species not earlier observed.

However, it must be noted that on a "good" day, the casual observer is likely to record about 25 species.

A number of fast-flying butterflies from the Herperiidae and Lycaenidae families may also be difficult to identify with certainty in the field.

Common Mormon

More articles about
butterflies
at Sungei Buloh

Butterfly-Plant relationships
at Sungei Buloh
(Vol 7 No 2, Aug 00)

Butterfly Monitoring and Introduction
at Sungei Buloh
(Vol 6 No 3, Dec 99)

Butterflies and their food plants
(Vol 6 No 1 Apr 99)

Butterfly Appreciation
(Vol 5 No 3, Nov 98)

Lime Butterfly

1. Common Mime (Chilasa clytia clytia)
2. Tailed Green Jay (Graphium agamemnon agamemnon)
3. Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus malayanus)
4. Banded Swallowtail (Papilio demolion demolion)
5. Common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus)
6. Striped Albatross (Appias libythea olferna)
7. Mottled Emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe pryranthe)
8. Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe contubernalis)
9. Three Spot Grass Yellow (Eurema blanda snelleni)
10. Eurema simulatrix tecmessa
11. Common Tiger (Danaus genutia genutia)
12. Spotted Black Crow (Euploea crameri bremeri)
13. Striped Blue Crow (Euploea mulciber mulciber)
14. Blue Glassy Tiger (Ideopsis vulgaris macrina)
15. Dark Glassy Tiger (Parantica agleoides agleoides)
16. Common Palmfly (Elymnias hypermnestra agina)
17. Common Evening Brown (Melanitis leda leda)
18. Dark Brand Bush Brown (Mycalesis mineus macromalayana)
19. Mycalesis perseus cepheus
20. Palm King (Amathusia phidippus phidippus)
21. Baron (Euthalia aconthea gurda)
22. Great Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina bolina)
23. Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana javana)
24. Blue Pansy (Junonia ortihya wallacei)
25. Chocolate Pansy (Junonia hedonia ida)
26. Pantoporia paraka paraka
27. Short Banded Sailor (Phaedyma columella singa)
28. Blue Nawab (Polyura schreiber tisamenus)
29. Sumatran Sunbeam (Curetis saronis sumatrana)
30. Ciliate Blue (Anthene emolus goberus)
31. Centaur Oak Blue (Arhopala pseudocentaurus nakula)
32. Common Tit (Hypolycaena erylus teatus)
33. Common Caerulean (Jamides celeno aelianus)
34. Pea Blue (Lampides boeticus)
35. Long Banded Silverline (Spindasis lobita senama)
36. Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis lampa)
37. Rapala pherentima sequeira
38. Badamia exclamationis
39. Common Awl (Hasora badra badra)
40. Chestnut Bob (Iambrix salsala)
41. Suastus gremius gremius

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

VISION
to see that we are all
part of nature's web of life

Text and drawings by
Halilah Ahmad
Education Officer

Have you ever wondered how animals see us?

Do they see the same form and colour as we do?

Do you know that they are actually observing you while you are doing exactly the same to them?

Being a creature with well-developed vision, our eyes can focus on an object at distance and switch within seconds to focus on another object right in front of us.

In short, we can see images as our eyes collect light, convert it into electrical messages and send them to the brain. Unlike some mammals, we can see in detail and in colour.

Can you guess which animals
these eyes belong to?

Go to this page to see if you are right! ...

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

VISION
to see that we are all
part of nature's web of life

Text and drawings by
Halilah Ahmad
Education Officer

spider eye Spider Spiders normally have eight eyes, but some spiders have six, four or two eyes. One unusual species has only one eye, which is in fact, a fusion of a pair of eyes. Ironically, the majority of spiders do not depend on their eyesight for finding and capturing prey. They have extremely poor eyesight.

prawn eye Prawn Most crustacea have compound eyes. A compound eye is made up of separate compartments and the animal's brain can put the images together to form a complete picture. Prawns can detect movements in water using their two large eyes.

dragonfly eye Dragonfly The dragonfly has a pair of eyes that cover most of its head. There are up to 30,000 lenses in one single eye and these lenses can detect objects up to 20 metres away!

lizard eye Lizard Lizards in general have good eyesight. Colour is important to lizards such as the Changeable Lizard as they communicate using their colourful head ornaments, crest and throat. It is also a way of distinguishing between the sexes. The eyes of most reptiles are large and well developed. Their eyeballs and lenses are usually round. Pupils range from round to elliptical, usually vertical and occasionally horizontal. The eyes are protected by transparent solid lenses. They have moveable eyelids and some can close their eyelids to tiny peepholes!

fish eye Fish Unlike humans, sight is not as important to fishes as most can navigate, detect obstacles and locate food in murky water through vibrations received from their lateral line system. The lateral line system is made up of tiny perforations in a single row of scales and runs horizontally along the length of the fish. They are adapted to these conditions and in fact see most clearly in dim light! The Archer Fish is an exception and it has better eyesight than most fishes. It needs to look through and above water for insects that it feeds on. Most fishes have a clear layer of skin protecting their eyes, as they do not have any eyelids. More about the Archer Fish.

bird eye Bird Most birds have keen eyesight and their eyes can be as heavy as their brain. Birds are sensitive to visible and polarised or filtered light. Although filtered light is undetectable, sunlight reflected from some parts of the sky is partially polarised. Experiments have shown that birds use this polarised light to navigate after sunset, before the stars shine brightly.

bat eye Bat "Blind as a bat" is a wrong term to use as there as no known species of blind bats! Some species have better eyesight than others, some have bigger or smaller eye size, and some can or cannot see colours. In general, a bat takes full advantage of available light by increasing the light density, using a reflective structure called "tapetum lucidum" located behind the retina. For more about bats.

mudskipper eye Mudskipper Unlike other fishes, the mudskipper has a pair of closely located, bulging eyes above its head. It can see above and below water at the same time when it swims, just like a periscope of a submarine. Being a fish that spends much of its time above water, seeing "double" is essential for its survival. It can spot predators from above and under water simultaneously. For more about mudskippers.

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

Nesting Behaviour of
Birds in Sungei Buloh

Adeline Chia
Scientific Officer

Baya Weaver's nests

The annual nesting season for resident birds in Sungei Buloh stretches from January to June. Based on observations carried out from 1996, we have identified some general nesting behaviour of some bird species found at the Park. Interesting aspects of these bird's nesting behaviour are highlighted here.

Nesting Season Sunbirds and Tailorbirds kick off the breeding season in January. Courting rituals can be seen amongst the Sunbirds whereby males display bright yellow tufts beneath the wings to attract a willing female. The female usually builds the nest and the male escorts her during the collection of nesting materials. Both parents of the Copper-throated Sunbird (Nectarinia calcostetha) are observed to feed the young.

Scaly-breasted Munia

The nest of the Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) is usually built using the leaves of the lower branches of the Simpoh Ayer (Dillenia suffruticosa). Likewise, the female builds the nest and both parents feed the young. The nest building and feeding activities can be easily observed during the peak nesting period in February and March for both the Sunbirds and Tailorbirds.

The Munias start the breeding season in late February to early March. They seem to like building their nests in potted ferns. The Javan Munia (Lonchura leucogastroides) in particular likes to build its nest on these "suspended nesting sites"! The Javan Munia lays 4-5 eggs and it is common to see the families staying near the nests for some time after the young have fledged.

The Pink-necked Pigeon (Trenon vernans) starts breeding in late March and the likelihood of spotting its nest increases in April. The parents take turns to incubate the eggs and feed themselves.

Nesting Materials A wide variety of materials are used for nest building. The birds are usually quite resourceful, and would not hesitate to use materials that are man-made. String and raffia have found their way into the Copper-throated Sunbird's nest.

Copper-throated
Sunbird

Pink-necked Pigeon

The Pink-necked Pigeon builds a sparse platform of twigs which looks scarcely able to support the eggs and young! Small pieces of bark are also incorporated into the Sunbird's nest.

The Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica) conceals its nest in the mangrove vegetation and its nest is made up of composites of long grasses and small leaves.

Occasionally, one may be rewarded with the sight of a Tailorbird or Sunbird picking out bits of spider silk, which plays an important part in nest-building.

The Purple and Grey Herons construct their platform nests with twigs, while Munias and Prinias use grasses as their main nesting material.

Nests are usually lined with fluffy seeds of plants such as Cattail and Lallang to provide insulation. Earth is used in some species to bind the nest together, hence strengthening it.

Grey Heron

The collection and collation of these records help us to better understand the nesting habits of the birds in the Park and allow us to be more attuned to the requirements needed to protect them and their environment. You too can do your part.

Green Tip Building a nest, laying eggs and rearing young not only take up time, they also take up energy. Hence you can help by leaving the nest alone if you spot one or a bird building one. Prying into a bird's nest causes unnecessary stress to the parents and young. This could result in the possibility of the parents abandoning the nest. All it takes is a little consideration from each of us to ensure a successful breeding season for every pair of birds we encounter.

© Sungei Buloh Nature Park

Journal of a Nature Warden
Nesting
Little Herons
of Sungei Buloh

ramakrishnan r. k.
Senior Ranger

Little Heron
(Butorides striatus)

The Little Heron belongs to the same family as the more familiar Purple and Grey Herons. Unlike its gregarious relatives, the Little Heron leads a typically solitary life, often flying just above water or diving sharply into the tree canopy when alarmed.

It adopts a stand-and-wait hunting technique, staying motionless at a spot for a seemingly long period of time before moving with lightning speed to snatch its prey from the water.

The fast-rising tide does not deter this heron as its size allows it to perch precariously from low hanging branches close to the water's edge. At times, you can even see it running madly with its raised long black nape plumes after spotting its prey.

On 29 February 2000, while I was on my nest-checking routine, one of the Park's contractors informed me that he had spotted a nest.

Status: Resident and winter visitor
Description:Small heavily plumaged heron, dark blue-grey or green-grey with a nearly black crown; pale face marking, streaks on breast and narrow buff edges to wing feathers. Juveniles brown, stockier, streakier and less mottled.
Call: a distinctive short harsh skeow, k-yow or k-yek when flushed, and a high-pitched, raspy kitch-itch itch when alarmed.
Habitat: Found close to streams, ponds, marshes, mangroves and offshore islands.
Diet: Fish, crustacea, and frogs.

Upon checking the site, I located a small platform of twigs on a mangrove tree, Exocaecaria agallocha, 5m above the ground. My first impression was that it could be a Dove's nest but when I climbed up to take a closer look, I was pleasantly surprised. Two young Little Herons covered with yellow down feathers stared back at me. This is the first recorded sighting of the Little Heron's nest in the Park.

Two weeks after the discovery, the young juveniles were moving around the tree in their newly attained plumage of dull brown upperparts, streakier and less mottled lower parts. A check on 17 March 2000 at the opposite side of the island revealed another nest built on the same species of mangrove tree and at about the same height. A pair of pale greenish blue eggs greeted me this time. The canopy of the Exocaria sp. seems to provide this heron with good cover and shade for nesting.

Hopefully, we will see this species flourish in Sungei Buloh Nature Park just like the Grey and Purple Herons.

A Walk with a
Volunteer Guide

Chan Su Hooi
Education Officer

His reason for becoming
a volunteer at the Park ...
"I have spent a lot of time in the rain forest and park land, but not in the mangroves. I thought it is an interestingly different ecology. And I wanted to learn something about it and be able to share it with the others".

His experience as one ...
"I was a teacher for a couple of years a long time ago, teaching dry old Maths and Chemistry, which are equivalent to dead subjects. Guiding the visitors around the Park is like teaching a live interactive subject, which gives much more pleasure".

"And I really enjoy it! There is always something new to pick up and it is great when visitors tell you that they have learnt a lot from you and never knew there is such an interesting place as Sungei Buloh Nature Park".

His thoughts and wishes for the Park ...
"On the good side, I think the staff have improved. The present staff are very dedicated and really have the interests of the Park at heart. But the closed boardwalks are really missed. They are perhaps the most interesting feature of the Park and the sooner they are restored, the better".

His advice to other volunteers ...
"I'm sure most of the other regular volunteers share the same sentiments as me. It feels great when we are able to infect others with the same desire to know more about nature with our enthusiasm. Like David Teo, a fellow volunteer, always says, "Do it with a smile." I believe the best way is to actually enjoy it and let the passion in us do the talking".

He was the Chairman of the volunteer committee in 1998. Passing on the reigns to new blood, he took on the role as the Honorary Secretary in 1999 and 2000. He plans the guiding schedule for volunteers, trains and develops new volunteers to take on the challenge. Meet Keith Hillier, aged 71, a Park volunteer since 1997.

Nature Photographer with a Mission	hu julian wong Park Volunteer

Photography by itself is an art form that requires a lot of patience, determination and dedication from the photographer. Attention to detail and careful approach to the subject is especially true for those who are pursuing an interest in nature photography. Yet how many of these photographers actually understand the true essence of nature photography?	Julian Wong, a nature lover and a volunteer of the Park, started nature photography in 1997. He hopes that through his images, people can come to appreciate the boundless beauty of Nature. In his free time, he likes to pen down his thoughts and observations on nature conservation and photography.

I heard from a friend who had seen on a location shoot, a small group of photographers cutting away branches and leaves of a particular bush, so as to enable them to take pictures of pigeon nesting within. Being a self-professed naturalist; he chided the photographers for not being "nature-friendly". Although he managed to stop this one incident, it set me thinking. How many such incidents can be stopped in time? What the photographers did not realise was that by cutting away the branches and leaves, they were actually exposing the bird and its chicks or eggs to predators. The pigeon had used the bush as an effective camouflage, only to be destroyed by the thoughtless act of humans. Nature photographers should respect the subject they photograph and not cause unnecessary stress or inconvenience to them.

To the self-professed nature photographer, it is imperative that he observes the ecological balance of Mother Nature and abides by the natural law that is guarding our atmosphere. Photographers are often seen in public and any wilful or discriminating act will certainly instil a "monkey-see-monkey-do" concept to the passer-by.

Photographers can be good ambassadors to the general public if only they can understand the subject that they want to photograph and not proceed beyond certain limits just to get that ultimate shot. Images can paint a thousand words and using the right images could just enlighten someone out there to care more about our fragile environment.

So the next time you pick up a camera and come in contact with Mother Nature, think about the mission that you would be embarking on. It is only through awareness and genuine love for nature that you will truly "blossom" into a better "natural" photographer.

Earth Day
Programmes

linda goh
Senior Education Officer

The world celebrates Earth Day every year on the 22nd of April. Started in the United States in 1970, it has gone global and has sent far-reaching ripples to millions whom three decades later are still celebrating this day faithfully.

Sungei Buloh Nature Park has been on the bandwagon for the last four years celebrating this day with various activities.

1997 Teaming up with Timberland, the public was encouraged to make their contributions towards nature conservation by dropping their loose change into pledge boxes at Timberland stores during the month leading to Earth Day. Proceeds from the sale of the exclusive Timberland caps were also donated to the Sungei Buloh Nature Park. The funds collected from this event was channelled towards the Park's conservation education efforts.

A special programme was also planned for Earth Day to introduce the Park's flora and fauna to a group of children from various homes.

1998 A three-week long Earth Day publicity programme was held at Ngee Ann City and Centrepoint Shopping Centre in collaboration with Timberland to reach out to the yet untapped group of shoppers to promote awareness of Sungei Buloh Nature Park.

A special educational programme, Mangrove Mania, was also planned and developed to promote the beauty of the mangroves to the visitors in celebration of this day.

1999 Staff and volunteers led groups of visitors for HeronWatch, a programme where participants were led through a journey of understanding and discovery of the Park's largest birds, the Purple and Grey Herons.

2000 This year, we celebrated the day with a group of students and a special guest speaker, Mia N. Schmallenbach, who gave a talk on the the 3 Rs, reduce, reuse and recycle.

Special Mention Mia N. Schmallenbach was 14 when she started her crusade to save the world. Now 17, she has published a book "101 Ideas to Save the World: Starting at Home", and journeyed around Singapore to campaign for a better world. Invited by National Geographic Channel Asia, she was in Singapore during the week-long Earth Day Celebration to do a series of presentations and workshops to inspire young people to make a difference in this world. We were delighted to organise her talk at the Park on this special day as she shared her experiences and ideas with students as part of the Park's Earth Day Programme.

The Park will continue to celebrate this day and hope to instil the Earth Day, Every Day concept in everyone's mind. Look forward to next year's programme.

Nature in the City

Over the long Labour Day weekend, a large number of nature lovers gathered at Bugis Junction, surprising many shoppers.

The Nature Society of Singapore was in full force organising the event "Nature in the City" in conjunction with Nature Day. The objective was to create nature awareness in this highly urbanised environment.

halilah ahmad
education officer

The Sungei Buloh Nature Park; along with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Singapore Environment Council, SAVE Club of the Singapore American School, were invited to participate in this event.

Sungei Buloh's "The Living Classroom" theme attracted many shoppers and nature lovers alike. You could see our volunteers tirelessly reaching out to people with brochures introducing our flora and fauna. Many freebies, such as issues of the "Wetlands" newsletter, brochures, posters, bookmarks and calendars, were handed out. Interesting upcoming activities were also highlighted.

Thanks to the Nature Society of Singapore for their invitation and Sungei Buloh volunteers who had contributed selflessly to this cause. Through this event, we managed to reach out to many city dwellers who would otherwise not know about the Park.