NParks Launches Community in Nature Programme for Nature Conservation - BG (NS) Tan Chuan-Jin Announced Launch of Community in Nature at the Biodiversity of Singapore Symposium III

24 September 2011 - Taking a leaf from the successful Community in Bloom programme, which has nurtured some 400 gardening groups island-wide, NParks is establishing a similar network of Singaporeans keen on nature conservation.

Called Community in Nature (CIN), individuals, community groups and organisations can sign up at nparks_mailbox@nparks.gov.sg to take part in nature awareness activities like photography and birdwatching (See Annex A for a list of birdwatching activities in October).  Those who are keen to deepen their appreciation of nature will then be exposed to more hands-on activities, like plant salvaging and reforestation. The aim is to engage the community and reconnect them with our natural environment.

The launch of CIN is in line with NParks' City in a Garden framework.  On 22 August, NParks started a year-long public engagement exercise to seek ideas on transforming Singapore into a City in a Garden.  One of the focus areas is on engaging and inspiring communities by creating a network of individuals and groups to conserve Singapore's natural heritage.

At BOSS, which is jointly organised by the National Parks Board (NParks) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), MOS Tan also presented awards to recognise individuals and organisations that have contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation in Singapore.  This year's recipients include Ms Ria Tan, for sharing information about biodiversity through her Wildsingapore and Flickr websites, as well as 10 schools and organisations for their longstanding participation in the International Coastal Cleanup.

In its third instalment, BOSS is a forum for the biodiversity conservation community to interact, exchange knowledge and explore future collaborations.  Held on 24 September at the NUS Lim Seng Tjoe Lecture Theatre 27, this year's BOSS features speakers on biodiversity conservation efforts at terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats in Singapore.