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Habitatnews 2002-19: Wednesday, 28th August 2002
The Habitat Group's Nature Information List
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Current nature-related news busy Singaporeans might otherwise miss
More information and archives at: <http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg>
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Contents
- Gardening for Wildlife – Slide talk, 7 Sep: 2.30pm.
- Raleigh Project CARE Round Island Cycling – Sign up by 15 Sep.
- “Replay of Rio?” and other articles from Star Online.
- International Coastal Cleanup Singapore 2002 – September.
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---> [1] Gardening for Wildlife
by Andrew Tay, Nature Society (Singapore)
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Eco@Woodlands proudly presents
Gardening for Wildlife
by Andrew Tay, Nature Society (Singapore)
How do you attract colourful butterflies, dragonflies, sunbirds, treefrogs and
bulbuls, among other native wildlife, to your patch of green! While Singapore
has an impressive list of extinct and endangered native species which
are protected, many species are still struggling to survive in our urban-scape.
Help them flourish by growing plants that provide them with food and shelter,
in your own yards, balconies, apartment corridors or in school compounds.
Also learn to create a clean source of water in the form of an eco-pond.
Saturday, 7 September 2002
2.30 - 4.00pm
Amazon Room (behind Magazines Section),
Level 1, Woodlands Regional Library
Admission is Free. All are Welcome.
This is the last talk in the series of six.
For Eco programmes and media enquiries, please contact:
Sharon Foo
Programme Development
National Library Board
Tel: 6332-1816
Fax: 6332-1781
Email: Sharon_Foo@...
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---> [2] Raleigh International Project CARE
Round Island Charity Cycling Event, Sun 22 Sep 2002
<http://www.geocities.com/projectcare2002/newsandevent.html>
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Join us to try riding 140km in 12 hours, or half the distance and time!
Round Island Starting point: Kallang Stadium Carpark F, 6.15am
Half Island Starting Point: Woodlands Stadium, 11.30am
Ending point: Kallang Stadium Carpark F
Registration fee: $25 (Additional donations for charity welcome).
Bike rental on a first-come-first serve basis at $15 per bike.
Download the registration form from the webpage at:
<http://www.geocities.com/projectcare2002/newsandevent.html>
Closing date for application: 15th Sept 2002
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---> [3] “Replay of Rio?” by Tan Cheng Li
The Star Online, 27th August 2002
<http://www.thestar.com.my/news/archives/default.asp?ppath=\2002\8\27&psect=Features>
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‘The biggest attempt to tackle the Earth’s worsening environmental woes and
help the planet’s poorest countries gets under way at the 10-day World
Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa. Even as the
city dresses up for the grand occasion, the stark poverty of its wretched
slums serves as a constant reminder of the sobering tasks that await Summit
delegates.’
This and other enviroment articles this week at:
<http://www.thestar.com.my/news/archives/default.asp?ppath=\2002\8\27&psect=Features>
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Other excerpts from the Star Online:
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Fast food vs the environment by Wong Ee Lynn Rawang, Selangor
The Star Online, 27th August 2002
<http://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2002/8/27/features/fast
food&newspage=Search>
“CONSIDER the fast food outlet. Ubiquitous and hygienic, it appeals to
people seeking a fuss-free dining environment. Hugely popular among
youngsters, it cannot be denied that part of the appeal of fast food lies in
its relative affordability. But what of the environmental costs of fast
food?”
MB: We’ll preserve environs in Tioman
The Star Online, 26th August 2002
<http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/8/26/nation/ktnalam&new
spage=Search>
‘KUANTAN: The Pahang Government has given its assurance that it would not
sacrifice the environment on Tioman Island in the name of development...’
Adoption plan for 30,000 Japanese carp by RASLAN BAHAROM
The Star Online, 28th August 2002
<http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2002/8/28/nation/tpifish&new
spage=Search>
‘TAIPING: The scenic Taiping Lake Garden here will be home to some 30,000
Japanese carp under an adoption scheme mooted by the Taiping MCA
division. The scheme, to be launched by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Ling
Liong Sik on Oct 13, is expected to be registered in the Malaysia Book of
Records for the most number of Japanese carp released for breeding...’
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---> [4] International Coastal Cleanup Singapore (ICCS) 2002
<http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/iccs>
See also article “Battling the Curse of Marine Litter” at:
<http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/pub/naturewatch/text/a103a.htm>
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More than 700,000 volunteers from 77 countries took to the shorelines last
year in an effort coordinated by the Ocean Conservancy. In Singapore, the
cleanup sees more than 1,000 volunteers take to our beaches and mangroves
annually - 2002 is the 11th year of Singapore's participation!
Besides ridding shoreline of harmful marine debris, the ICCS documents the
type and quantity of marine debris and the compiled data is used in
recommendations to policy makers and used by participants and organisations
for public education.
In 2001, more than 54,000 items were washed up on a single day on our
beaches, suggesting an annual recruitment of some 1,000 tonnes! The mangrove
operation is tackling a historical accumulation of trash, and is limited to
about 300 volunteers to protect the habitat. Yet after 90 minutes, nearly
three tonnes of trash was removed from Kranji mangroves!
Cigarette butts topped the all local and international lists once again!
Almost 9,000 straws were picked up almost entirely from beaches. Plastic
pieces, food bags, straws, and beverage bottles were numerous. Of all this
trash washing up daily, more than 60% probably comes from shoreline and
recreational activities! And 90% of it is made of plastic - the blessing and
curse of the 20th century!
You can help in many ways - work with young students to pick and categorise
trash, pack and ferry trash bags, help collate data cards, or
assist/understudy the site coordinators.
If you are interested in helping out, here are the important dates:
- Sat 7 Sep: 9am- 12pm: Briefing for coordinators and student leaders, NUS Science Auditorium (LT31): 9am - 12pm.
- Sat 7 Sep: 2pm - 5pm: Final mangrove recce for appointment holders and assistants.
- Sat 14 Sep: 8.30am - 4.30pm: Mangrove cleanup, various sites.
- Sat 21 Sep: 8.30am - 12pm: Beach cleanup, various sites.
One of our aims this year - to compile and publish the data on the webpage
the same day!
Inquiries: email the coordinator at: <iccs@...> and check details
at the webpage: <http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/iccs>
ICCS is supported by the Ford Motor Company Environmental & Conservation
Grant.
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