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NewsAsia 14 May 05 New educational programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to promote conservation By Wong Siew Ying Mention the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and chances are you will think of birds and mangroves. But something fishy is also going on with the National Parks Board set to make some changes. The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is home to some 20 species of marine fishes, a highlight overlooked by many Singaporeans. So NParks has joined hands with the Underwater World to launch a new educational programme to promote marine conservation among the young. About 60 students from five schools have also been trained to provide guided tours as part of the Marine Fish Programme. They underwent 3 days of intensive training and learned quite a few things. "The archerfish can spit water 1 metre high just to catch its prey, and then it will fall and it can eat it," said one student. "It's different from the spotted archerfish because from the top, the bender archerfish doesn't have golden eyelids," said another. "Some of the fishes are poisonous too like the green puffer fish." NParks said the programme also helps to maximise the potential and interest of the attraction - and it will intrigue adults as well. Professor Leo Tan, Chairman, National Parks Board, said: "The fishes that live in these waters are dependent on salinity, some can live in fresh water, some in salt water, by understanding which species live where, we can understand the ecology of the environment." The Underwater World has contributed S$10,000 to support the Marine Fish programme over the next year. NParks Media Statement, 14 May 2005 Marine Fish Programme – Promoting Marine Conservation @ Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve A fresh new perspective has been added to the visitor experience at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve with the launch of the Marine Fish Programme today. This programme represents the first time the National Parks Board (NParks) has dedicated a programme entirely to marine fishes at Sungei Buloh. Intended to generate interest in the marine fishes of our wetlands, it is part of the National Parks Board’s larger efforts to reach out to Singapore residents, in particular our youths, to care for our natural heritage. Sponsored by Underwater World Singapore (UWS), the programme includes free-guided walks and talks on marine fishes. It also incorporates educational materials such as a poster exhibit on marine fishes at the Nature Gallery and fish identification signs at the Main Bridge, which allow visitors to conduct self-guided walks to explore another unique facet of our wetlands. A newly produced full-coloured fish identification chart is also available for purchase. The outreach programme is the joint effort of students from five schools – Canadian International School, Commonwealth Secondary School, Hillgrove Secondary School, Peixin Primary School and Yishun Junior College – together with NParks volunteers and partners as well as staff of NParks and UWS. Apart from learning about the different species of marine fishes at Sungei Buloh, the students also picked up the art of public speaking, and conducted public guided walks. These young participants, who have been trained as marine fish guides, each received a resource book on the subject too. Since 23 April 2005, some 60 students from the five schools have committed themselves to conducting at least three public guided walks for the rest of 2005. These talks urged more student participation in the wetlands and encouraged our youths to experience beyond the classroom and appreciate the need for conservation. Such enhancements to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve were partly funded by Underwater World Singapore’s contribution of $10,000 to the Garden City Fund. The sum will be used over one year in support of the programme. Said Mr Charles Ho, Chairman, Garden City Fund, “I am heartened by Underwater World Singapore’s active interest in the Garden City development. UWS’ contribution towards value-added features and educational talks and tours for the Marine Fish Programme will benefit the general public, in particular the youths, and the Garden City. Together with partners such as UWS, the Garden City Fund hopes to play an even bigger role and bring more educational programmes and facilities to our community.” To celebrate the success, NParks and UWS organised the launch to present certificates to the students for their participation and offer a platform for them to share their work with the public. The launch also saw the staff of UWS kicking off the first in a series of three public talks. On Underwater World’s contribution, Mr Kwek Meng Tiam said: “With urbanization in land-scarce Singapore, we are rapidly losing our natural heritage. Fortunately for us, under the expert and careful hands of the National Parks Board and other government agencies, a large part our natural heritage is preserved. As Underwater World Singapore is also committed to environmental and marine conservation, our partnership with the National Parks Board marks a significant step in this direction. It will further demonstrate our role in educating our students and the general public on the importance of environmental and marine conservation. Through these activities, we hope to develop citizens who are more conscious of, and concerned for, marine life and the marine ecosystem, so that they will be better prepared for the environmental and conservation challenges of the future.” Added Dr Leong Chee Chiew, Chief Operating Officer, NParks: “This programme seeks to inculcate a sense of ownership of our natural heritage among our youths. Through enriching talks and hands-on activities, these youths learn more about the local marine fishes at our wetlands. I am particularly glad that these students are able to apply what they learnt by creating educational materials such as artistic fish mobiles to make marine fish education more interesting and exciting for other young people. We are very pleased that Underwater World Singapore recognises the importance of encouraging the next generation to care for our natural environment, and are grateful for their support.” The fish mobiles described by Dr Leong are a result of a brainstorming session by the students of Peixin Primary School and are currently on display at the Visitor Centre. While the new educational materials allow visitors to conduct self-guided walks, teachers and students wishing to join the weekly guided walks to uncover more about the local marine fishes and their associated conservation issues may contact the wetlands’ visitor service coordinators at 67941401 or obtain more information at www.sbwr.org.sg. These weekly-guided walks are led by trained students, volunteers, and staff of NParks and UWS. links Related articles on Wild shores on Singapore status, issues, discussions Singapore's biodiversity status, threats, commercial applications of biodiversity |
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