What is the magic of Pang Sua Woodland? What drove a volunteer group of conservationists and environmental activists to advocate for its preservation? What is the fate of this tiny yet significant sanctuary along the Green Rail Corridor? Hear from the book editorial team as they share their experiences of trying to keep this little patch of greenery intact for wildlife and people.
Join us at the launch of Pang Sua Woodland: Sanctuary Unveiled Along the Rail Corridor (Second Edition) with Poetry Reading & Panel Chat with Book Editorial Team (Teresa Teo Guttensohn, Dr Ho Hua Chew, Leong Kwok Peng)
Event details:
Sat 18 May 2024, 7pm to 8pm Book Bar 57 Duxton Road, S089521 Free of charge. Limited seats. Coffee, Tea & Vegan Snacks will be served.
Organised by: Cicada Tree Eco-Place and Nature Society Singapore In partnership with: Book Bar Book printing sponsored by: Bollywood Farms Pte. Ltd.
Guest Speaker Teresa Teo Guttensohn, Co-founder of Cicada Tree Eco-Place, and Dr Michael Alexander Kruesi, Associate Professor of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), with student cohort from the Sustainability Hospitality Operations module. Teresa presented the Pang Sua Woodland and Alexandra Woodland books (jointly published by Cicada Tree Eco-Place and NSS) to Dr. Kruesi for the university library.
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
Today, March 22, 2024, we commemorate World Water Day under the theme ‘Leveraging Water for Peace’. At Cicada Tree Eco-Place, we recognize the vital role that water plays in sustaining life and fostering harmony among communities.
As we celebrate this day, let us reflect on the importance of water conservation and equitable access to clean water for all. Together, let’s pledge to protect our precious water resources and promote peace through sustainable water management practices.
Join us in honoring World Water Day by spreading awareness and taking action to safeguard our planet’s most precious resource.
Date and Time: Saturday, March 23, 2024 9:00 am to 11:30 am Venue: MacRitchie Forest
Our priceless Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) consists of the reservoirs of MacRitchie, Lower & Upper Peirce, Lower & Upper Seletar, and the crucial, remnant rainforests that surround them. The rainforest here creates rain and catches rainfall, storing it in its ecosystem, and drop by drop form rivulets slowly winding through the forest and into our reservoirs. So, in Singapore, we are also drinking water that has been made and filtered by its rainforests! We will explore via the elevated boardwalk along the reservoir’s edge shaded by the rainforest canopy and by-passing lush swamp-forest habitat home to unique native freshwater critters, such as the Treehugger, Dwarf Snakehead and Forest Softshell. Like us, their very survival dependant on a source of unpolluted freshwater. Cicada tree, swamp yam and monkey cups are just three of our unique native aquatic flora that still thrive in our remaining freshwater swamp-forests, helping to cleanse our water, cool our climate and filter the very air we breathe.
Other Details:
Cost: $5 per adult/child (All proceeds support CTEP’s environmental education projects and programs).
To register, please email participant(s) name(s), age(s) of child participant(s), and mobile number to: andrewtay.sg@gmail.com.
Further details will be provided to confirmed participants.
