100k Coral Initiative plus new coral facility at St John's Island

100k Corals Initiative announced: to plant corals in Singapore over the next 10 years and beyond. A new facility at Marine Park Outreach and Education Centre, St. John's Island will grow corals for this effort. Corals will be cultivated by coral restoration experts and researchers from the National University of Singapore at the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory. 

A training programme will also be developed by NParks, St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory and Friends of Marine Park for citizen science monitoring of the transplanted corals. Volunteers will be trained to assist with coral husbandry and underwater monitoring techniques. More details of volunteer training opportunities will be shared when ready.

You can visit the St John's Island facility by joining the guided tour of St John's Island held on the first Sunday of every month. Or do a self-guided tour with the Trail Guide - free for download from the NParks website.

More details: media articles, press release on the wildshores blog.

Sisters’ Islands Marine Park closed until end Mar 2024

Sisters’ Islands Marine Park is closed for enhancement works till end March 2024 - from the NParks website.

The Sisters Islands seen from St John's Island

But you can still visit the Marine Park Gallery at St John's Island! 

Sakijang News (Aug 2021) - Marine Biology in Singapore

Marine biologists at Singapore's very own marine lab located at St John's Island share some latest science news.

Download the newsletter.

Camping by our shores reopens wef 20 Jan 2021

You can camp by the sea again!

From the NParks website: "Campsites in NParks coastal parks (including Pulau Ubin) will reopen with effect from 20 January 2021."

Kusu Island pilgrimage 17 Oct to 19 Nov 2020

During the annual pilgrimage, thousands of visitors are expected to visit Kusu Island from 17 Oct to 19 Nov 2020.  Expect delays due to crowd control measures at Marine South Pier. Parking at the Pier is likely to be limited.

Check out Jerome Lim's awesome blog post for a glimpse into the history behind Kusu Island and the pilgrimage.

New Sungei Buloh Nature Park Network announced

A new 400-hectare Sungei Buloh Nature Park Network was announced today. The Lim Chu Kang Mangroves will be conserved as part of the new Lim Chu Kang Nature Park. 

Photo from NParks facebook post

The Nature Park Network safeguards a variety of wetland habitats, protecting our core biodiversity while providing more green spaces that everyone can enjoy. The new Nature Park is scheduled to be ready in 2022.

From the Straits Times.

Singapore's national marine lab has launched its newsletter - Sakijang Times!

The St John's Island National Marine Laboratory has just recently launched its newsletter series, called Sakijang Times! The name is derived from the Malay name of the island, Pulau Sakijang Bendera. 

In this first issue, you can find interesting stories of people, wildlife, research findings, and the facility upgrades! Check it out here: https://sjinml.nus.edu.sg/sakijang-times/

8 June (Mon) 8pm - Singapore Youth Action for Marine Conservation

Specially for youths! 8 June (Mon) 8pm Singapore time (GMT+8). By youths for youths to celebrate World Oceans Day!

More details and registration at https://go.gov.sg/wod8june

New Nature Park at Khatib Bongsu by 2030

NParks has announced that there will be a new nature park at Khatib Bongsu, a rich mangrove and mudflat habitat on the northeastern coast of Singapore. The upcoming 40-hectare nature park will be an important stopover for migratory shorebirds and complements the Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Kayaking through Khatib Bongsu.

This is part of NParks' plants to have at least another 200 hectares of nature parks by 2030.

Hope for Sisters' Islands Marine Park being named a Mission Blue Hope Spot!

Singapore aims for its first marine Hope Spot with Sisters' Islands Marine Park. Photo: Straits Times Lim Yaohui.

The Sisters' Islands Marine Park might become the Republic's first "Hope Spot" under the international initiative, Mission Blue, which draws public attention to marine areas which may need more protection!

IYOR 2018 End of Year Report - Singapore's collective efforts

The International Coral Reef Initiative just released the IYOR 2018 End of Year Report on the various activities held across the world! You can download the report here: https://www.iyor2018.org/news/iyor-end-year-report/

Taking this opportunity to thank all of our partners, supporters, friends, and volunteers for supporting Celebrating Singapore Shores! In the past year, our FaceBook page has reached out to almost 1500 likes and 1500 follows! Thank you so much for your support, and we hope to continue using this platform to Connect, Respect, and Protect our marine environments. You can also follow our blog page for events: https://celebratingsingaporeshores.blogspot.com/

Let's take a quick recap on Singapore's efforts!

Rock Tour of Singapore shores!

Go on a rock tour of Singapore without leaving your armchair. Check out this awesome online guide: "A Field Guide to the Geology of Singapore 2nd edition" by Grahame J. H. Oliver and Avijit Gupta on the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum website.

Natural rocky shores of St John's Island
just a short boat ride from the Central Business District.

This Guide takes a travel guide book-like excursion compendium approach and shares fascinating insights into some of our amazing geological formations.

16 Mar (Sat): Marine Open House at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

Come to Singapore's very own natural history museum to learn more about the sea. FREE tickets up for grabs. Register NOW!

Under the sea~ Under the sea~ Our Marine Open House is back, for the last time!