Nature Society Singapore

Logo of Nature Society Singapore

## Summary

A non-government, non-profit organisation dedicated to the appreciation, conservation, study and enjoyment of the natural heritage in Singapore, Malaysia and the surrounding region. Run by volunteers, the Society depends financially on contributions from its members as well as companies, institutions and individuals.

What We Do:

* Organise nature appreciation activities like guided nature walks, bird and butterfly watching, slide talks and overseas eco-trips.
* Conduct conservation projects and surveys.
* Collaborate with schools and community groups to promote nature appreciation and education.
* Campaign for the protection of natural habitats.

## Mission

* *To promote nature awareness and nature appreciation*
* *To advocate conservation of the natural environment in Singapore*
* *To forge participation and collaboration in local, regional and international efforts in preserving Earth's biodiversity*

## Initiatives

* The preservation of the priceless historic zoological reference collection now held at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum - late **1970s**

* Singapore's accession to the International Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - late **1986**

* Government's creation of the Sungei Buloh Nature Park for wetlands and migratory bird protection in **1993**, following NSS' own Proposal for a Nature Conservation Area at Sungei Buloh of **1988**; Successfully persuaded the Government to set aside Sungei Buloh as a mangrove and bird sanctuary. This site is now legally protected and known as Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve.

* Relocated coral reefs in **1991** and **1993 - 95,** which were threatened by land reclamation.

* The initiation of government's now institutionalised Green Plan in **1992**, setting aside five per cent of Singapore's total area for nature conservation, following NSS's **1990** "Master Plan for the Conservation of Nature in Singapore" publication.

* The prevention of excision of nature reserve land at Lower Peirce Reservoir for a 18-hole golf course proposed by the Public Utilities Board (PUB), following NSS' own Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the proposal - **1992**

* Modification of the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists' Association's (SAFRA) golf course design at Kranji Marshes freshwater wetland - **2001**

* The retrieval of the Chek Jawa mudflats on offshore island Pulau Ubin from proposed reclamation and their establishment as a protected nature spot, following a joint-action public campaign - **2001**

* Part of the Marine Roundtable responsible for the publishing of the Singapore Blue Plan in **2008**. Successes from the publication include the acceptance of the recommendation for carrying out of a comprehensive marine biodiversity survey (in 2010) and the conservation of Sisters' Island as a marine park (announced in 2014).

* Adopted Kranji Marshes under PUB's ABC Waters program in **2008** and successfully restored the area into a freshwater habitat to support freshwater birds and other associated wildlife. The area was designated a Nature Park in **2014**.

* The creation of the Butterfly Trail@Orchard, a route of hotspots for butterflies to visit spanning from Singapore Botanic Gardens to Fort Canning Park in **2010**. This has gone on to form the foundation of the upcoming greening of Orchard Road announced in Feb 2020.

* The successful advocacy of the Green-Rail Corridor since **2011** to be kept as a biodiversity connector and as a public space. Integrated into government's development planning. The Green Corridor has since become incorporated into the Coast-to-Coast Trail and will continue to be incorporated into future plans.

* Successfully convincing the international delegates at the **2012** International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Congress of the need to set up a Specialist Group focusing on horseshoe crabs.
* Successfully organised and executed the National Bird of Singapore (i.e. Crimson Sunbird) in **2002** and National Butterfly of Singapore (i.e. Common Rose) campaigns in **2015**.

* Successfully convinced authorities to integrate nature spaces at Bidadari into town planning to support bird migration in **2018**.

* Successfully campaigned for the protection of the Mandai Mangroves and Mudflats. Part of the list of 5 star sites for conservation recommended in NSS's1990 "Master Plan for the Conservation of Nature in Singapore" publication; announced in **2018** to be a Nature Park in 2022.

* Heavily involved in shaping the Amendments to the Wild Animals and Birds Act in **2020** for greater protection of wildlife in Singapore. Our foundational document titled Reforming the Wild Animals and Birds Act (WABA) can be found here.

## Get in Touch

Contact at https://www.nss.org.sg/contact.aspx

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://www.nss.org.sg/about.aspx?id=3