August and September 2018 was an exciting time for the National Parks Board (NParks), with not one, but two major events taking place.
Singapore Garden Festival 2018
Jointly organised by NParks and Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Garden Festival 2018 (SGF 2018) welcomed more than 600,000 visitors from 21 July to 3 August. Visitors were wowed by the beautiful and creative floral and landscaped displays at Singapore’s premier flower and garden show. Here’s a peek at what went on.
Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee at the opening ceremony of SGF 2018, together with the then NParks chairman Mrs Christina Ong, NParks CEO Mr Kenneth Er, and Garden City Fund chairman Prof Leo Tan.
SGF 2018’s competitive highlights included “African Thunder” by Leon Kluge, which won the Gold, Best of Show, and Horticulture Excellence awards in the Fantasy Garden category.
Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong having fun taking photos at “The Mallows Dance”, which featured brilliant blooms from the Hibiscus (Malvaceae) family. The display was designed by Community in Bloom gardeners from the Central Singapore Community Development Council district for the friendly Gardeners’ Cup competition.
Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Mr Teo Chee Hean admiring the Pond Gardens.
Emeritus Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong looking at the Floral Canopy, a display of plants that have a natural epiphytic habit in tropical forests, accompanied by NParks Senior Manager Mr Rockney Wong and NParks CEO Mr Kenneth Er.
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Mr Khaw Boon Wan gazing at the lush orchid display in Vanda Valley with NParks CEO Mr Kenneth Er.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen with his family enjoying themselves at the “The Wild and the Restless” display by Inch Lim, which won Best of Show, Gold and Horticulture Excellence awards in the Landscape Garden category.
Minister for Finance Mr Heng Swee Keat and National Heritage Board CEO Ms Chang Hwee Nee appreciating the vibrant orchid blooms in Vanda Valley.
Bringing to life elements from the book “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the Secret Garden of Edibles featured more than 50 species of edibles, including citrus fruits, a variety of cherries, unique tomato cultivars, fragrant herbs, as well as espaliers such as persimmon and coffee.
Launch of Singapore’s first turtle hatchery
On 29 September 2018, NParks launched Singapore’s first turtle hatchery at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park. Aimed at conserving endangered native turtle species, the Hawksbill turtle and the Green sea turtle, the hatchery is strategically located on Small Sister’s Island, a protected area zoned for conservation and research. It is supported through the Garden City Fund by HSBC’s 150th anniversary Community Fund.
The turtle hatchery consists of two sections: a turtle field station and an incubation sand pit area. Most of the nests that are transferred to the hatchery are at risk from human disturbances or from predators such as monitor lizards. The rest of the nests will be left to incubate and hatch where they are laid. NParks is working with volunteers and site owners to monitor and protect the nests from human traffic and predators.
The turtle field station is a hub for hatchery-related activities, volunteer training, as well as curated educational and research programmes.
The incubation sand pit area comprises three non-magnetic metal cages, where the turtle eggs will be kept. The cages will be partially buried in the sand and will protect the incubating eggs against predators.
