Nurtured by Nature

NParks is focused on building up capabilities and broadening skillsets with science-based knowledge across areas such as nature conservation, aboriculture, horticulture, and animal management.

Building up Science and Technology

NParks has been designated as the lead agency for the Urban Nature Satellite of Excellence initiative under the Ministry of National Development’s Science and Technology Plan, and is also the implementing agency for the Marine Climate Change Science programme, a new S$25 million research funding initiative supported under the national Research, Innovation and Enterprise Plan 2021 – 2025.

This programme will serve as a national focal point for multi-disciplinary marine climate change research, and will involve government agencies, Institutes of Higher Learning and industry partners. It aims to develop scientific evidence-based interventions to address the impact of climate change on Singapore’s marine environment and ecosystems.

In the reporting year, NParks embarked on more than 100 research projects under its Science and Technology Masterplan. In January 2021, NParks launched a digitalisation pilot at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio district aimed to showcase new digital tools and technologies in parks, biodiversity and tree management. The pilot features the Tree Structural Model and a network of sensors to drive operational effectiveness and sharpen predictive capabilities using machine learning and AI technology. A beta version of the Remote Tree Measurement System was also implemented to improve the efficiency of tree inspections.

In place of physical measurements, this system uses machine learning to automatically map out the geolocations of individual trees and extract physical measurements of trees by processing Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) point cloud scans. This reduces the need for tree inspectors to engage in time-consuming, physical fieldwork to manually update our tree inventory.

Science and technology are also being applied in marine conservation. As part of ongoing research under the Marine Conservation Action Plan, NParks has partnered the National University of Singapore to monitor marine species of interest and better understand their ecology. This includes the use of hydrophone units for dolphins, underwater camera traps for the Neptune’s Cup sponge (Cliona patera), and environmental DNA techniques developed in collaboration with the university.

NParks is also working with GovTech to develop vessel detection algorithms utilising CCTV cameras deployed at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park to automatically detect and alert staff to unauthorised vessels within the Marine Park.

At Jurong Lake Gardens, a two-year autonomous vehicle pilot was launched in December 2020 to move visitors around the 53-hectare Lakeside Garden and to seek their feedback to improve the system.

Marine Climate Change Science
					programme

The Marine Climate Change Science programme led by NParks aims to better understand the impact of climate change on marine species, habitats and ecosystems, and address problems such as rising sea levels and increasing sea surface temperatures.


Boosting Industry Competencies

The landscape sector has been vital in our greening journey as we transform Singapore into a City in Nature. Since the launch of the Landscape Sector Transformation Plan in 2019, NParks has been working closely with partners and Institutes of Higher Learning in revamping the industry.

NParks will be training the sector and budding landscape professionals in the use of advanced tools and technologies. We first piloted digital technologies such as the Remote Tree Measurement System and tree tilt sensors in January 2021, and the aim is to transfer skills and technology to the sector when the pilot is completed. NParks also organised webinars and engagement sessions with key partners to encourage companies to grow through digitalisation, mechanisation and professionalisation.

To upskill capabilities and nurture the talent pipeline for the industry, students from the Institute of Technical Education and other Institutes of Higher Learning now learn emerging skills such as biophilic design, biodiversity management and sustainable landscaping. They gain knowledge and hands-on experience through programmes such as Student-Run Parks, learning journeys, immersions, talks and workshops. There are also internship and on-the-job training opportunities to better prepare students for a career in managing our City in Nature.

NParks also works closely with the Tripartite Cluster for Landscape Industry on Progressive Wage Model (PWM) matters, the recent expansion of Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications courses and the proposed introduction of a Specialist Track under the PWM Career Ladder.

During the Circuit Breaker period, skills upgrading continued through e-learning courses and free training materials developed by the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE). NParks also engaged the Landscape Industry Association of Singapore to develop stringent COVID-19 safe management guidelines for workers to perform their jobs safely and efficiently. We are also working with industry partners to enhance the remote monitoring of sites and safe-distancing practices using the Contractor Fleet Management System.

View the webinar on A Day in the Life of an Arborist.

Resistograph
Sensor Technologies

NParks is working with stakeholders in the landscape industry and Institutes of Higher Learning to digitalise, mechanise and professionalise the landscape sector. Tools such as the resistograph that detects internal defects in trees and sensor technologies that detect grass height can help to improve the skill sets of workers and reduce manpower needs.

Be Employed To Garden

Love gardening in your community? Earn an income while doing it! The Resident Gardeners programme enables gardening enthusiasts to be employed by NParks contractors to maintain their neighbourhood green spaces. Successful applicants will be trained on the job via Workforce Skills Qualifications courses. This programme is piloted at Ang Mo Kio, Punggol and Yishun, and will be progressively rolled out to other areas.


Building Expertise in Wildlife Forensics

The Centre for Wildlife Forensics was launched in August 2020, strengthening our detection and diagnostic capabilities by drawing upon expertise across NParks to identify and analyse specimens involved in the illegal wildlife trade. This centre also enhances Singapore’s capability to conduct wildlife forensic investigations and reinforces our commitment to conservation.

To build up competency and deepen expertise and skillsets of the animal management sector, CUGE rolled out professional certification programmes in 2020, namely Animal Health, Animal Welfare and Behaviour, and Animal Management.

Incorporating Technology to Manage COVID

At Jurong Lake Gardens East and Central, the Hubble system, which integrates data on approved workers from the Building and Construction Authority, Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Health, was used to ensure only healthy and authorised personnel were allowed on the work sites. Workers were monitored using AI cameras and safe distancing devices, which sounded an alert when safe distancing among workers was not observed.

The Safe Distance @ Parks portal was rapidly developed for the public to check park visitorship levels and trends to avoid crowded parks. Drones were deployed at selected parks and nature areas to support the monitoring of adherence to safe distancing measures. Collectively, these measures help to keep our parks open for visitors to enjoy, while lowering the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Learn more about the Centre for Wildlife Forensics.

Minister for National Development
						and Minister-in-Charge of Social
						Services Intergation Desmond Lee

Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee (left) examining elephant ivory samples at the Centre for Wildlife Forensics. The Centre will enhance NParks’ in-house capabilities and support Singapore’s implementation and enforcement of our CITES commitments.

Pangolin

Pangolins are one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. While it is difficult to identify a pangolin’s species based on individual scales, DNA forensics and techniques are crucial in providing information such as country of origin to facilitate trade regulation and enforcement.

SCIENCE THAT PROTECTS WILDLIFE

The Centre for Wildlife Forensics uses DNA analysis methods like next-generation sequencing, and chemical methods such as isotope analysis to gain useful insights on seized items such as the origin of the population of species that have been poached. This shows how science can support our global fight against illegal wildlife trade.


Promoting Learning amongst Staff

The exchange of knowledge by Hort Champs amongst staff continues to contribute significantly to learning within the organisation. Hort Champs are staff who take part in workshops and field trips and then share the knowledge with other staff or visitors to our green spaces. In 2020, they conducted online workshops on topics such as managing pests and diseases, plant identification, introduction to wildflowers in Singapore and the use of fragrant plants in a landscape. This helps staff keep their skills relevant and updated while working from home in split teams due to COVID-19 mitigation measures.

The 39th Hort Colloquium also served as a valuable platform for the sharing and exchanging of information. Held on 15 September 2020, the online event saw over 130 participants attend talks to learn about new initiatives in urban greening and developments. They also gained insights into the conservation efforts that go into the development and planning of parks like Jurong Lake Gardens.

At the annual NParks Staff Conference in November 2020, over 1,000 staff tuned in online to celebrate efforts in dealing with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as our core work in advancing Singapore’s vision of becoming a City in Nature.

Some 50 staff, with strict adherence to safe distancing measures, attended the first physical workshop conducted since the onset of COVID-19 measures. Held onsite at HortPark in January 2021, speakers and participants discussed the importance of biosurveillance, a timely reminder of its role in mitigating risks resulting from the increase in animal-human contact and nature interactions.

In 2020, five undergraduate scholarships, one overseas merit award and two postgraduate scholarships were awarded by NParks to staff and external candidates.

SAFE DISTANCING MEASURES DUTIES

During the Circuit Breaker, staff continued to perform essential landscape-related operations such as preventive tree pruning and grass cutting, as well as responding to urgent animal management and welfare issues.

Some 1,000 staff were involved in Stay Home Notice Hotel Operation and Safe Distancing Measures (SDM) duties across gardens, parks, park connectors and nature reserves. Staff were also rostered for enforcement of SDM in pet shops, animal shelters and veterinary clinics.

Using drones to monitor visitor levels
Safe Distancing Measures Duties

As the country adjusted to living in a COVID-19 pandemic world, staff also adapted to new roles and responsibilities such as using technologies such as drones to monitor visitor levels in our parks and nature reserves and performing Safe Distancing Measures duties to ensure that all visitors can still enjoy our green spaces safely.