As part of the RVN2001: The Great Extinction: conservation and rewilding course’s final project, Dan Soh Yong Xian, Lo Mei Hui, Yeoh Jun Ting, Sarah Heng Chin Yee, and Brian Chow Wei Xuan proposed a rewilding plan for an under-utilised site in Yishun Park. Initially, the team members were convinced that NParks would ignore their project proposal, yet contrary to expectations, NParks expressed interest to meet the team to discuss the project further.

During the initial meetings with NParks at Yishun Park it was decided that the project would be registered under the Youth Stewards for Nature (YSN) 2023 programme. At the end of the YSN 2023 programme, the team was extremely delighted, when they were invited to present their rewilding project at the YSN Sharing Session. On 8th July the team displayed their infographic to a large audience at HortPark and Dan delivered the final project presentation.

Dan explained: “From the pre-planning stage and initial site surveys, to the tree planting, and then the post-planting surveys, there were many times I felt that the project might not have been worth continuing. However, taking the leap of faith to continue the project into YSN has been a fulfilling and enriching experience, and I am grateful for the opportunities and support provided by the RVRC faculty and student volunteers, Nature Society Singapore (NSS), and our NParks mentors, without whom we never would have been able to bring the project to a successful close.”

Likewise, Mei Hui reflected: “We were inspired by Patricia and the RVN2001 course to carry out the rewilding project at Yishun Park under the YSN programme. One of the highlights of the journey was our tree planting session, where we collaborated with volunteers from Ridge View Residential College (RVRC) and the public. Sapling by sapling, we witnessed first-hand the power of collective action. A sense of pride welled up within me when I saw the once barren land adorned with plants by the end of the session.”

Picture credit: Nparks