Category: News Page 5 of 15

Singapore’s UV index hit ‘extreme’ level 12 on the afternoon of 27 March 2024. As the island grapples with soaring temperatures and negative impact on the tourism industry, eco-artist and environmental activist Teresa Teo Guttensohn highlighted the triple crises that the planet is facing, and urged the hospitality students of SIT to heed the urgent call to take individual responsibility to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.

At the sustainability talk, guest speaker Teresa shared on the focus and aim of Cicada Tree Eco-Place to promote biodiversity conservation and to help protect our precious natural heritage for future generations. To fight extinction, the organisation advocates for the protection of critically endangered native wildlife as well as threatened wildlife habitats.

All wildlife are interdependent. Conserving local biodiversity and maintaining intact eco-systems is the best way to sustain genetic diversity that is critical for the long-term survival of all species on Earth.

Campaigns initiated include Save the Pangolin (2010), Chained to Our Roots (22 June 2013) and Love Our MacRitchie Forest (2013) movement to appeal for the realignment of the Cross Island Line (CRL), Save the Malayan Tiger (2014), and Save our Last Wilderness (2019) which saw the joint publication of local conservation books – Pang Sua Woodland: Sanctuary Unveiled Along the Rail Corridor (2021) and Alexandra Woodland: Haven Along the Rail Corridor (2022).

At the end of the passionate presentation, Teresa challenged each student to take eco-action. Several SIT students responded with personal pledges:

“I enjoyed the session as I learnt about how many wildlife species are becoming extinct as we face mass extinction caused by human activities. As I am interested in animals and their history, I would do my part to reduce my carbon footprint by taking public transport.” – Emily, 22yrs

“I think that the session was insightful. I learnt how people’s activities can really destroy biodiversity and the importance of sustainability with every small action. I will do my best to avoid disposal bottles and
use more reusable water bottles whenever possible so as to ensure that I’m doing my part.” – Rin, 21yrs

“I learnt that in order to implement change, sometimes drastic action needs to be taken. I would be more conscious of my actions and follow the 3Rs!” – Fiq, 24yrs

“Thank you for the emotional talk! It’s sad to see that Malayan Tigers are on the brink of extinction and we need to save them. One eco-action I would take would be to always bring a recycling bag around.” – Nicole, 22yrs

“I have learnt about biodiversity loss and the amount of endangered species, and how human activities potentially have a negative impact on the environment. An eco-action I would take is to reduce the use of plastic bottles and don’t takeaway food as it is quite achievable for me to do.” – Bryan, 25yrs

Jointly published by both societies, all book sales proceeds go towards
conservation activities.

Singapore, 3 December 2022 – Nature Society (Singapore) and Cicada Tree Eco-Place today launched Alexandra Woodland – Haven Along the Rail Corridor, an educative book detailing the flora and fauna of Alexandra Woodland, its rich heritage and history, experiences of its residents and community, along with conservation ideas to enhance the woodland’s ecology.

Launched at Hang Jebat Mosque, this is a joint effort between Nature Society (Singapore) and Cicada Tree-Eco-Place, and is their second book collaboration to date. All sales proceeds from the book will go towards conservation activities by both societies.

Alexandra Woodland spans around 15 hectares and sits on the western flank of the Rail Corridor opposite Alexandra Hospital and is bordered by Ayer Rajah Expressway and Portsdown Avenue. For decades, this area has been left untouched by development, and has become a semi-natural woodland with a variety of habitats that includes a lake and marshland.

This Woodland is an important ecological link between the central nature reserves of Bukit Timah and Central Catchment and the parks of the Southern Ridges of Kent Ridge, Mount Faber & Telok Blangah Hill Park. It is the closest stepping stone for wildlife from the Rail Corridor to the Southern Ridges.

Dr. Ho Hua Chew, Co-editor of Alexandra Woodland and Vice Chair of the Conservation Committee, said, “In view of the current degradation or imminent development of such forests and wooded areas at Toh Tuck, Clementi, Dover and Portsdown along the Green Rail Corridor, Alexandra Woodland’s conservation significance as a haven and/or stepping stone for the dispersal of forest-associated wildlife has greatly increased and should be conserved with the recommended habitat enhancement measures in place for its long-term survival.”

“The presence of many forest-associated wildlife species such as Banded Malayan Coral Snake, Malayan Box Terrapin, Thick-billed Green Pigeon, Changeable Hawk-eagle, Long-tailed Parakeet, Glossy Swiftlet, etc., as well as the critically endangered orchid, Jamba (Neuwiedia veratrifolia), indicate the ecological importance of this secondary forest as a stepping stone or home ground for forest-associated species.”

“Nature Society’s bird records at the forest patches along the Rail Corridor indicate the Rail Corridor as a probable route for the dispersal of the globally and nationally threatened Straw-headed Bulbul from the central nature reserves and Bukit Batok Nature Park via Alexandra Woodland and Gillman Barracks to the southern coast at the Labrador Nature Reserve,” Dr. Ho added.

There are calls for this wooded area to be conserved, given its heritage and natural history.

Let’s not lose yet another forest for a road or rail. Alexandra Woodland should be preserved for its heritage and ecological values, especially amid the climate and biodiversity crises we face. It has played a significant role in the story of our nation — from river to road, spirited queens to early pioneers and legendary warriors — the spirit of Alexandra lives on today in its communities. In Singapore’s perennial search for a historical anchor to bridge past and present, Alexandra is as rich and authentic as it gets.

TERESA TEO GUTTENSOHN, Book CO-EDITOR and co-founder of Cicada tree eco-place

Mr. Leong Kwok Peng, Co-author of Alexandra Woodland and Chair of the
Conservation Committee at Nature Society (Singapore), agrees that the woodlands should be kept wild. “We see the Rail Corridor as more than a strip of recreational green space. The essence of the space lies in the woodlands alongside it, without which the corridor will lose its magic and Alexandra Woodland is one such important space,” he said.

Alexandra Woodland – Haven Along the Rail Corridor was put together by a team comprising 12 people, including two editors, nine authors and a book art director. It contains 156 pages, comes in soft cover format and is printed on eco-friendly paper.

The book is available from Nature Society (Singapore) and Books Kinokuniya.