On the 18th of June, RV FoRestore held their annual Forest Restoration Workshop in conjunction with the National Parks Board (NParks), bringing together participants ranging from schools, to NGOs and NUS students interested in forest restoration work.
The workshop started off with an introduction of forest restoration in Singapore by Mr. Lim Jiang Jim from NParks, followed by a mini-lecture on the intricate details of forest succession and restoration delivered by Dr. Chua Siew Chin. FoRestore seniors Lim Yi He and Badrul Amin Mahmud also shared their research investigating the progress of forest restoration and natural regeneration in old (>10 years old) plots.
The participants then broke off to tour the Dairy Farm Community Nursery, and the FoRestore booths to learn more about the activities that the IG conducts regularly, from the methods of plant propagation, the equipment used in tree monitoring, to the wildlife observed within their plots.
In the afternoon, the workshop moved to Chestnut Nature Park, where participants experienced tree planting and measurement. Participants also visited two of RV FoRestore’s reforestation plots and engaged in mulching.
In all, the workshop was a resounding success, with some participants expressing interest in working with RV FoRestore to engage in further forest restoration work. With forest restoration work requiring personal experience, this was a rare opportunity for both participants and organisers to connect and learn about the facets of forest restoration beyond tree planting.
Participants’ feedback on what they gained at the workshop:
“The hands-on afternoon session allowed us to really understand how exactly it works. Just being on the site itself could help me to gain a clearer picture to how exactly the restoration works.” (Marcus Ooi, NUS student)
“To know the different strategies for forest restoration and the practical aspect of what is being done on the ground, including the monitoring and research done.” (Lee Lay Tin, NSS member)
“The academic studies that were presented; sharing of ideas and projects with like-minded groups” (Mireille Couture, UWCSEA teacher)
