Mendis Tan,  Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, National Parks Board

On 25 to 29 September 2017, Center For Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) conducted a Wetland Management course, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by trainers from SBWR (Chua Yen Kheng, David Li and Yang Shufen), NBC (Linda Goh) with an expert from Wetlands International (Doug Watkins). Dr Adrian Loo (GD/CN) welcomed a total of 21 participants from various continents around the world comprising mid-level government officials and scientists.

Participants and Trainers Group Photo – Dr Adrian Loo, GD/CN graced the opening ceremony for the workshop

The aim of the workshop was to provide participants with a basic understanding of coastal wetland ecosystems, migratory bird flyways focusing on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), shorebird conservation, and community engagement and public awareness strategies for country members of the Singapore Cooperation Programme and Small Island Developing States Technical Cooperation Programme (SCPTA/SIDSTEC).

Participants were brought to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Marshes on 27 September to learn more about the wetlands shared in the classroom and got to practice their newly acquired bird identification skills. A tour of the Keppel Discovery Wetlands and around Singapore Botanic Gardens was also specially arranged to enhance their learning experience.

The 5-day course ended with a sharing session by various countries and a summary by host How Choon Beng (SBWR), who also thanked everyone for their active participation, the networks established and friendships forged for future collaboration among wetlands officials and scientists around the world.

For more information on CUGE International Programmes, please contact Ms Constance Chan @chan_yoke_cheng@nparks.gov.sg

Mr Doug Watkins – Wetlands International, spoke about wetlands, management strategies and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway migratory birds

Classroom discussions were lively and all the participants were engaged in every topic – CEPA activity led by Ms Linda Goh

(Photo by © David Li) Ms Yang Shufen spoke to the participants about Singapore’s remaining mangroves at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Mangrove Gallery

Mr David Li and Mr Ramakrishnan led the participants to practice the skills of bird watching at Kranji Marshes

And Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – Migratory Bird Trail

Participants visited the Orchid propagation laboratory at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Participants listening to Ms Chua Yen Kheng at the Heritage Museum.

Participants at the learning forest, led by Ms Chua Yen Kheng.

Several country participants presented about their wetland management, CEPA programming and restoration programmes

End of the SCP course – Group Photo after certificate presentation