Photos by Intan Krishanty
Ng Kah Gay, Clarence Eng, Teresa Teo Guttensohn, Tia Andrea Guttensohn and Jessica Lee Chu En.
The Wildlife Writing Symposium 2026 was held on Saturday, 27 June 2026, at Bollywood Farms.
Generously sponsored by Bollywood Farms and The Gentle Warrior Ivy Singh-Lim, the event brought together home-grown writers, a publisher, educators, a journalist, students, artists and nature lovers for an afternoon of stories, poems, music, culture, nature walks and conservation.
Set in the lush and welcoming grounds of Bollywood Farms, the symposium created a meaningful space for everyone to reflect on one important question:
How can words help us care more deeply for wildlife and the natural world?
Through poetry, music, nature writing, journalism, film, blogging, pantun, guided walks and plant-based food, the event showed how storytelling can help us see nature with fresh eyes and inspire us to protect it.
Set within the green and welcoming grounds of Bollywood Farms, the symposium offered more than a series of talks. It created a space for participants to slow down, listen, reflect and reconnect with the living world around them.
“Such a lovely event.”
— Robin Hicks
Right: Lynn Ee, General Warrior of Bollywood Farms, giving the welcome remarks at the Wildlife Writing Symposium 2026.
The programme opened with welcome remarks by Teresa Teo Guttensohn and Lynn Ee, who welcomed participants and set the tone for an afternoon of learning, sharing and reconnecting with nature.
Their opening reminded everyone that caring for the natural world begins with attention, with noticing, listening and choosing to respond.
The welcome remarks were followed by a heartfelt opening performance by singer-songwriters lewloh and Rene.
Their music brought warmth and reflection into the room, gently opening the afternoon with a sense of connection and purpose.
The performance reminded participants that stories do not only live on the page. They can also be carried through song, voice and shared emotion.
The event was beautifully hosted by Tia Andrea Guttensohn, who guided the afternoon with warmth, ease and confidence, helping every segment flow naturally.
Stories That Reconnect Us with Nature
The symposium featured a thoughtful line-up of speakers who explored how writing, books, films, journalism, blogs and poetry can help people understand and protect nature.
Esther Vincent Xueming opened the speaker sessions with “Returning Home through Ecowriting.”
She shared how writing can help us reconnect with places, memories and the living world around us. Her session invited participants to think about writing not just as creative expression, but also as a way of returning to land, memory, belonging and care.
Jessica Lee Chu En then shared “Nature in Non-fiction, from Screen to Book.”
She showed how nature stories can move across different forms, from film to books and other media. Her sharing reminded participants that stories can travel in many ways, and each form can help bring nature closer to different audiences.
Poetry, Pantun and Cultural Memory
After the scumptious plant-based buffet spread by Poison Ivy Bistro, the programme continued with Benedict Khoo from Baba Gabra, who brought poetry, pantun, and Peranakan culture into the symposium.
Through pantun and cultural storytelling, Baba Gabra added another rich layer to the event, showing how language and heritage can deepen our connection with nature.
George Jacobs and Clarence Eng also read a poem about the sambar deer, adding a thoughtful and creative moment to the afternoon.
Their poetry reminded participants that wildlife is not only something to study or protect. It is also something to notice, honour and remember.
Writing as Education, Journalism and Advocacy
The next part of the programme focused on eco-literacy, journalism and advocacy exploring how words can help inform the public and inspire action.
Ng Kah Gay spoke on “Enhancing Public Eco-literacy.”
He shared why it is important for more people to understand nature and environmental issues, and highlighted the role of books, publishing and public education in shaping how people think about the natural world.
Robin Hicks spoke on “The Challenges of Nature Journalism in Singapore.”
He shared how journalism can help tell important stories about nature, development and conservation. His session offered a thoughtful look at how nature stories are reported, understood and sometimes challenged in a rapidly changing city.
Sivasothi N. closed the speaker sessions with “Blogging Beyond the Classroom – A Meaningful Advocacy Tool.”
He showed how blogging and writing can continue to teach, inspire and create action beyond school. His sharing reminded participants that advocacy can begin with one person choosing to write, share and care.
“Good combination of speakers, multi-disciplinary, very fitting.”
— Sivasothi N.
“Thanks for putting together such a meaningful symposium… Keep up the good fight!”
— Jessica Lee Chu En
Experiencing Nature Beyond the Talks
Beyond the talks, the symposium also included fringe activities that allowed participants to experience nature, books and culture in different ways.
These activities included guided nature walks by Cicada Tree Eco-Place, led by Tan Hang Chong and Andrew Tay, a book sale by Ethos Books, a pantun booth by Baba Gabra, and an outreach booth by Cicada Tree Eco-Place.
The guided walks gave participants the chance to observe nature more closely and appreciate the living details around Bollywood Farms.
The pantun booth by Baba Gabra gave participants a hands-on way to enjoy poetry, language and culture, making the symposium lively, interactive and memorable.
The book sale by Ethos Books and the Cicada Tree Eco-Place outreach booth also gave participants more ways to browse, ask questions and continue their nature journey beyond the talks.
“A great crowd — not too big, intimate enough for a fun sharing.”
— Benedict Khoo, Baba Gabra
What Students Took Away
Feedback from students showed that the symposium made a real learning impact.
Many students shared that the guided nature walk was one of their favourite parts because it allowed them to see and appreciate nature more closely.
“I had the opportunity to see and appreciate the different types of nature.”
— Student participant
Another student enjoyed the pantun sharing by Baba Gabra because it showed how poetry can help connect people with nature and local wildlife.
For the students, the symposium offered many different ways to connect with nature through walking, listening, writing, eating, culture and conversation.
The plant-based makan by Poison Ivy Bistro was also warmly received.
One student shared that they usually preferred food with meat, but the food at the symposium was so good that it made them more open to trying plant-based meals in the future.
“After eating the food at the Symposium, I feel more inclined to try out more plant-based food in the future.”
— Student participant
Supporting Conservation Action
The symposium also supported Trees for Tigers, with a total contribution of $1,500, including additional support from Cicada Tree Eco-Place.
This turned the afternoon’s conversations into meaningful conservation action showing that stories can move beyond words and help support real work for wildlife.
Cicada Tree Eco-Place extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the Wildlife Writing Symposium 2026 possible – the speakers, performers, partners, students, volunteers and participants.
Special thanks go to all donors who contributed to Trees for Tigers, Bollywood Farms, Poison Ivy Bistro, Ethos Books, Baba Gabra, Anglican High School, CHIJ Katong Convent, Guides Andrew Tay and Tan Hang Chong, as well as volunteers Amaani, Intan, Jeryl, Kripa, Merey, Mindy, Radiah, Ralph, Rominia, Seetha, Teresa and Vilma.
The Wildlife Writing Symposium 2026 reminded everyone that stories are powerful.
Stories can help us remember nature.
Stories can help us care.
Stories can help us speak up for wildlife.
Stories can help inspire action.
Through poetry, journalism, film, books, blogging, culture and shared experiences, the event showed that every voice can help protect nature.
Following the warm response from speakers, partners, students and participants, Cicada Tree Eco-Place hopes to continue creating meaningful events where writing, culture, education and conservation come together.
The day closed with a shared reminder that every story, every voice and every small act of care can help protect the natural world.
For more photos and highlights from the Wildlife Writing Symposium 2026, visit Cicada Tree Eco-Place on Facebook and Instagram.