tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-274526872024-03-08T04:16:56.529+08:00Midnight Monkey MonitorThe Rambling Leaf Monkey takes on heritage and environment in Singapore.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-91947397823222938462014-04-12T16:05:00.001+08:002014-04-15T08:38:34.204+08:00Where to recycle your gadgets?<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tecXibPCxoeIdeTy_sZD80RshBykkZtK1lY2vtVqlLnx5iIny-8xQByrHyVSJQRa0TwsA4TYUeAoD6AU8eNSu1p-X-RJUR_NLnLU4ttOvwkxPcXMvK-JN0M_Kl_TosnBZEsp/s640/blogger-image--1324778470.jpg" /><br>
Spotted at the Environment Building, a recycling bin for general electronic waste by Starhub.<span class="fullpost">
<br><br>
If you are like me, a bit of a gadget head, changing your phones every 2-3 years when the contract end, and buying a new computer every time the old one fails but can't bear to throw the old one away? But when you try to sell them you realize they are worth nothing or you can't get anybody interested? Or seriously who would buy that old cordless phone or mouse that broke right? Well now you have a better outlet than throwing them down the rubbish chute to be incinerated and add on to our burgeoning landfill at semakau.
<br><br>
RECYCLE!
<br><br>
Here's a <a href="http://letsnotforgetewaste.sg/be-involved/e-cycling-points/">list of collection points</a> that you may find handy.
<br><br>
Interestingly, Paul W had suggested on Facebook that these collection initiatives should share what they do with the ewaste. Is anybody interested to contact these companies and organise a visit? I have a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/761733917170864/">bunch of people</a> who wants to learn more. Drop me an email!
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-22474733367693806062014-04-10T07:54:00.001+08:002014-04-10T12:09:40.921+08:00Heron Watch 2014Last Saturday, the husband and I had the opportunity to ride the very low tides of Kranji Reservoir with a PUB officer Mr Osman and Dr Yam Tim Wing of Nparks to do a survey of herons as part of the nationwide survey Heron Watch 2014.<span class="fullpost"><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF70k77TpCB1reh9ZJILTD-ShdYk83sFFIdV1IWMRwXBzNcGISRlZ3Yqj255WrgrrEmK1Wr-xH21Wjd-kQUCJ3RztkLtvL53-pM8JsnRV1sWoWWB923lqrDHyyZdh3cDhoLuoG/s640/blogger-image--1779891526.jpg" width="400" />
<br />
Based on my dim understanding of a presentation, Heronwatch was first done in 2003 by Luan Keng and volunteers where data of herons were collected across the island. Herons are a good indicator of how our environment is doing as they are a species at the top of the food chain. (They are also so big you can spot them easily!) This means if you don't find them or find less of them, either there is nothing to eat, or no home to stay or make babies! In 2013, a decade later, round two was done to compare how things have changed. Herons are mostly found in coastal, mangroves, and freshwater areas or in fields and sometimes even surprisingly near urban areas. Instead of waiting another ten years, Nparks has decided it is important to collect data more frequently, I suppose so that we can better monitor the health of these ecosystems. So Heronwatch 2014 was organised!
<br /><br />
We are no birding experts but the husband and I were quite enamoured by the presentation by Luan Keng that we accidentally stumbled upon at Sungei Buloh anniversary celebrations in Dec 2013 and the call for volunteers from Sharon (Nparks) that we decided to sign ourselves up as volunteers! The promise of being able to contribute while having a picnic with family at a venue close to home was enticing! We live really near to Jurong Lake where herons and egrets were known to roost and nest.
<br /><br />
Little did we know we would end up having an adventure in the middle of Kranji Reservoir! At one point we were even caught in approaching thunderstorm with strong wind and the boat was struggling to run away fast enough to keep us dry while we get distracted by raptors fishing and being chased by smaller birds from their nest!
<br /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFYvR5X9OWwwowDldD7ZcawCPdygOWjFUUK8jzjclr8ccz4BBMZ0TSUZhbRIEtptW7352N0t8OH38O4oGLdcQ2EMIGyAIr3bWqZXIYB07tASgeDxoCJT_UVkH0_SgILURZ6AH/s640/blogger-image-1653659202.jpg" width="400" /><br />
photo by Dr Yam<br />
<br />
All this aside, we were fortunate for the amazing photography of Dr Yam which helped us zoom in really close to identify the shots of blur that flew past us, Mr Osman who navigated us expertly around and enthusiastically pointed out birds to us, the NSS birds of singapore iphone app which helped us when we were scratching our heads and Andy D who recommended us where to buy a binoculars prior to Heronwatch so we didn't end up looking at tiny dots in the sky with our naked eyes!
<br /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwZjABNTHXx1ecssZmAxkqwwW8Nqyv4dcmKv-g6mzXfQXmzcZk6FrHsPACRxy4awrEsBnnIIjnT1EHQxJmc2h5CjDrcV6jo-HA5ulLNYrg3Jo0S9JxKjvplWmZhCQHv36fOKD/s640/blogger-image--48960417.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Little Egret - Photo by Dr Yam
<br /><br />
The spousal unit and I are now amateur experts of recognising grey herons from purple herons and aficionados of the grace if the little egret and its cute yellow toes. We were also amazed at the close encounters with black-crowned night herons and its juveniles in a truly WILD river safari experience. fortunately no crocodiles decided to be friendly during our boat ride but I am afraid it is probably due to the noise from the boat and its excitable passengers that had scared away the birds and other wildlife! I only lament that we did not see any bitterns at all despite the abundance of reeds but we saw many shadows under the trees and in the reeds but couldn't identify what they were! I also realise I am an expert of identifying rocks and sign posts as herons!<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGth-_bS-LWmrLo8FZkEvAXzoQgLh2yuAig1uymUGK4LaATEJvgdCL7wjpWwn2XhJFwQdRexfAHTQKhyP5zf6IrTZBfutT5RTGzuAgct8mse1uHbebvMtr3UQzBMMg5PE1XpNp/s640/blogger-image-2121444103.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Spot the ominous neon pink eggs of the invasive apple snail
<br /><br />
The sad part is that I spotted the ominous neon pink eggs of the invasive apple snails along the banks of the Kranji Reservoir. According to Ivan Kwan, Kranji is still one of the last places you can find our native apple snails but the presence of the alien invaders means they may soon be out-competed. Fingers crossed, hopefully not. I <a href="http://tidechaser.blogspot.sg/2012/12/terrestrial-freshwater-snails-slugs.html">read that</a> the invasive golden apple snails are reared in the aquarium trade, as well as for food as they are edible. Somehow they managed to escape into our natural habitats and are now more common than our native fellas.
<br /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtnnMJZAWjM7sOV35In8VTKKNX3CP5oNRPgVx01VPPgHwQJr-kp88-ygGaf54pJ1DBcLLpeC-kZd4QymAzqiBEVTvgPGlysInxTR5fap52FTz52g4QXHMsrM8tmWX3RL9Y-r3/s640/blogger-image--929681640.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Black-crowned night heron - Photo by Dr Yam<br />
<br />
Well it is not all bad news because Xinli from Nparks tells us that they had not spotted black crowned night herons at Kranji Reservoir previously! And the fact we saw juvenile means they may be nesting! Exciting news for me. I am glad our little contribution through citizen science may help the real scientist to better understand how well our ecosystems are doing.
<br /><br />
Most of all, I am glad to have had the privilege of enjoying the beauty of Kranji from the waters. The breathtaking view has inspired me to yearn for a repeat experience! Kayaking in Kranji Reservoir anyone? :)
<br /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0kQGr0QplJyAWME2iPrCKqoyDPKa1p9EW0l3g5ftu4PCrEvIMB-a_TtJ8YeVSnk5ZnIGZofbLlgw0lJEjxTVDQDHSsWcWDK8s1m1vDzIPPfnVnMg4d3fX0lkugKtEJw8TNdC/s640/blogger-image--719756719.jpg" width="400" /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-70641139114624776962013-10-01T08:09:00.000+08:002013-10-01T08:14:26.645+08:00Butterfly BehaviourLast Saturday, I took this urban monkey back to the secondary forest of Ubin for the annual jungle fowl survey and had an unexpected lesson in butterfly behaviour!<br />
<br>
While walking pass the butterfly hill, we came across some Common Birdwing butterflies flitting around a fence. As we approach, it became apparent to us that there was a mating pair while a second male eagerly flits around trying to find an opportunity to take over.
<br><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UZVyzoSTqxtG2Uswr7T8aFQfOx1qjW8BF8gNmzAcfxdySRsc7OPP_ebVC0TeAzPdE2DZitTW57CrFdWzCdF19JW5AXAJ29zQAuHpcykBve6xyGqWsGGe4W8lUORRm9iSfHW2/s640/blogger-image-1372435355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img width=500 border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UZVyzoSTqxtG2Uswr7T8aFQfOx1qjW8BF8gNmzAcfxdySRsc7OPP_ebVC0TeAzPdE2DZitTW57CrFdWzCdF19JW5AXAJ29zQAuHpcykBve6xyGqWsGGe4W8lUORRm9iSfHW2/s640/blogger-image-1372435355.jpg" /></a><span class="fullpost">
<br>
What was more of a shocking revelation to us butt watching noobs is the fact that the female butterfly appears to have just emerged from her chrysalis! whoah we all got into a frenzy exclaiming if we were witnessing non consensual statutory rape in action. The female was still extending her wings and the chrysalis was still at her feet and already 2 suitors in line!
<br><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSoWSc-vmIZWPmTcSGicYKIEjbA2xjHd7_ZGne65N0BpqYl1wCZQ8mNN4p1ONa3Urbtrw-V7W54JSP14PbTqpsDs_xrv7bxlWiApGeDl1-bjClz98Gh9zS0-43tZbEuc0soY_/s640/blogger-image-1850167245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img width=500 border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSoWSc-vmIZWPmTcSGicYKIEjbA2xjHd7_ZGne65N0BpqYl1wCZQ8mNN4p1ONa3Urbtrw-V7W54JSP14PbTqpsDs_xrv7bxlWiApGeDl1-bjClz98Gh9zS0-43tZbEuc0soY_/s640/blogger-image-1850167245.jpg" /></a><br><br>
After all that excitement, the butterfly experts tells us that it is all very common behaviour in the butterfly world. Guess there's no women's charter for butterflies. Good thing is I now learnt to identify the Common Birdwing through the <a href="http://www.butterflycircle.com/checklist%20V2/CI/index.php/start-page/startpage/showbutterfly/18">Butterfly Circle checklist</a> and won't be forgetting that name anytime soon!</span>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-5721408588362969552013-08-31T13:58:00.001+08:002013-10-01T08:10:30.506+08:00The Nature Conservancy 2013 Digital Photo Contest<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscYbZAE1AKG665bdw_7nhA-kINWtS4K1leinWCLFixAVTFvW_rMvMqg-trk6RMeYnRnb1EiEuI8hFKamLSVyTbBGbsl5gfonyvwGYNKFDNH4L797XDVe8JdJ57-igtF4WCNMo/s640/blogger-image--965071460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" width=500 src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscYbZAE1AKG665bdw_7nhA-kINWtS4K1leinWCLFixAVTFvW_rMvMqg-trk6RMeYnRnb1EiEuI8hFKamLSVyTbBGbsl5gfonyvwGYNKFDNH4L797XDVe8JdJ57-igtF4WCNMo/s640/blogger-image--965071460.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Butterfly Feast, © R. Grant Maslowski, 2012 Photo Contest Runner Up</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: underline; "><a href="http://my.nature.org/photography/rules.html" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none; ">The Nature Conservancy is organising its 2013 Digital Photo Contest</a>!</span></span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Do you have photos that highlight the biodiversity of our planet - from forests, grasslands and deserts to lakes, rivers and oceans, and all the creatures that live there? Well, I know there are many amazing photographers out there so why not submit your photos today!</span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The deadline for submissions is Monday, <i>September 9th</i>, 2013 at 11:59 a.m. PDT and open to anyone over 18. Photographers will retain all rights to and ownership of their images, which may originate in any format but must be submitted electronically using our photo submission website. Finalists will be announced in November 2013 and the public will have at least two weeks to vote on the Grand Prize Winner and Runners Up to be announced in January 2014. The Grand Prize Winner’s image will be featured on the cover of the 2015 Nature Conservancy Calendar, while other finalists’ images will be featured within. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So why wait? maybe somebody can take a photo of Bob the Buaya (crocodile la!) and win a prize while putting Singapore on the map :)</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-38502089608881437882013-08-20T10:27:00.002+08:002013-08-20T10:40:46.672+08:00Magnum OpusSince I last blogged in 2012, many things have happened. I changed job for one. But surely, the proudest (and most cathartic) moment was when I finally submitted my Master dissertation, got relatively good comments from the examiners, passed with minor amendments and <b>GRADUATED</b>!<br />
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/9549515187_2deed22fe5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mentor and supervisor, Victor R Savage, patiently prodded me for 5 years and finally, the proud moment!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You can <a href="http://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/35817">read my magnum opus on NUS' scholarbank</a> as well. (Remember your citations!) I am also open to any collaborations and publications on food related issues in Singapore-Malaysia, on sustainable agriculture, consumption and food policies. Drop me an <a href="http://leafmonkey.blogspot.sg/1990/01/about-me.html">email</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>Synopsis of the thesis after the jump.<br /><span class="fullpost">
<br />
<b>Tan P T (2012) "From Hinterland to Ecological Footprint: The Singapore-Cameron Highlands' Vegetable Trade" Dissertation, National University of Singapore.</b>
<br />
<br />
Metropolitan areas have a growing ecological footprint while urban consumption and environmental degradation are quoted as some of the most pressing global issues today. Singapore, as a resource-scarce city-state that imports 98 per cent of its vegetable consumption is a perfect case study in studying ecological footprint. The city-state imported 28,872 tonnes of tomatoes (94%), 22,756 tonnes (95%) of cucumbers and 3,424 tonnes of lettuce (81%) from Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in 2010. Cameron Highlands is a major vegetable cultivation area in Malaysia, producing 40 per cent of total vegetable production in Malaysia. The colonial hill station, situated 1,070 to 1,830m above sea level, has a climate suited for cultivating temperate vegetables and has been supplying vegetables to Malaysia and Singapore since 1933. However, when Singapore gained independence from Malaysia in 1965, it was also separated from this traditional hinterland.
<br /><br />
Through historical analysis and interviews with producers and actors along the commodity chain, this study finds that Singapore's consumption and ecological footprint impacts the landscape on its transnational hinterlands in Cameron Highlands through 1) pesticides regulations, 2) fuelling farm expansions and 3) levelling hills for creating platform terraces to maximise yield and accommodate high-tech farms for luxury crops for export. Singapore's regulations had helped to raise the production standards, both in quality and food safety, in Malaysia. However, the city-state faces the dilemma of safeguarding food security by diversifying food sources and diluting its ecological footprint while diminishing its ability to influence production practices in Cameron Highlands. Instead, the State is no longer the most important actor in governing environmental externalities and must now rely on forms of private governance.
</span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-52976995968597795072013-08-17T10:29:00.001+08:002013-08-17T10:58:43.126+08:005 Tips for staying involved (while balancing work and family)<img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/9528320726_006acc8472.jpg" /><br />
I started this blog as an undergraduate with ample free time on my hand. I continued with my involvement in the community in my postgraduate career, possibly as a displacement activity, procrastinating my thesis. Over the years, it becomes apparent that once one graduates into society, becomes a working adult, married with children (or not), one disappears from volunteering activities. While I must say that I am guilty of this, I have also found over the years how there are incredible people who find time for everything, as well as tips on balancing both.<span class="fullpost"><br />
<br />
<b>Tip 1: Choosing Annual Activities</b><br />
As an undergraduate, when I first heard of "adult" volunteers who only appears once a year to volunteer at annual events, I foolishly scoffed internally at their lack of commitment. In my then-life, free of responsibilities, fanatically volunteering for EVERY EVENT, this merely signifies a lack of commitment.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://farm1.staticflickr.com/192/457609751_540d8b0533.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Now, as a <strike>lazy</strike> gainfully employed member of society who is often brain dead and physically exhausted at the end of a work day, perhaps married with 2 sets of family commitments to the neck on weekends, you may find it difficult to commit to monthly activities. As a result, I see myself looking up to the once-a-year volunteer. It becomes my personal dedication to make sure that I pledge myself to one annual activity, and participate every year!<br />
<br />
This is when I decided to be involved in a longitudinal <a href="http://mygreenspace.nparks.gov.sg/on-the-trail-of-the-red-junglefowl/">jungle fowl and straw headed bulbul survey with NParks</a> on Pulau Ubin and have been consistently participating for the past few years now. For 3 to 4 consecutive weekends in the month of Sep-Oct every year, I make a 2 hour trip to Pulau Ubin to stand for 10-20 minutes in the forest, getting bitten by mozzies and listening for bird calls. Alas, those are the definitive two bird call this non-birder can now identify with confidence. It may sound very little but your little contribution will amount to a mountain after 10, 20 years. After all, the <a href="http://coastalcleanup.nus.edu.sg/">international coastal clean up in Singapore</a> is now into its 22nd year and it started as an annual event!
<br />
So find your one annual event and give yourself a pat on the back at the 5, or 10 year anniversary milestone. (This reminds me I better go sign up for my 5th survey this year!)<br />
<br />
<img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/9528284138_f8b25b88cb.jpg" />
<br />
<br /><b>Tip 2: Involve the Family</b><br />
Of course, surely, you don't want to just do one activity a year right? So how do you get the time to get involved in the community while spending time with family as well? Well, get family involved! </span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
My parents have always been supportive and know about my volunteering work but I had never actually involved them or invited them to my public events, walks or volunteering activities before. Perhaps they were busy before or language poses a difficulty, but now that my mom is retired with ample time on her hands, chance fell on my lap when <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/">Ria</a> was looking for volunteers to help sew mascots for the Festival of Biodiversity this year. What better person to sew than my mom who proudly shares that her hobby is sewing!
<br />
<br />
It was a success! My mom was hooked and came back for several sessions, lamenting when she couldn't join in. Not only that, she also made a rather anatomically correct squid, from her years of experience cooking them! The squid mascots were also quite popular and made its round amongst the volunteers. She even came down to the Festival and despite the language difficulties, enjoyed herself tremendously. We got in plentiful family bonding time and connected at a new level.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/9528048560_d94a862ee9_m.jpg" /><img height="178" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5500/9525271823_a03abecb52_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
There will always be opportunities you can involve your family in various aspects of nature education, appreciation and awareness so why not find one to spend time together, being involved!<br />
<br />
<b>Tip 3: Stay Connected, Stay Informed</b><br />
You may not be physically out there in the field but stay connected with those who are involved, keep tabs on the latest happenings, know what is happening in the community, and who is out there and how we can support them, even from our armchairs, behind a screen. Only then would we know about things like <a href="http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php?entry=/news/20130509-CIL_impact.txt">proposed cross-island line</a> and <a href="http://otterman.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/love-our-macritchie-forest/">its possible impacts on our central catchment nature reserve</a>, <a href="http://toddycats.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/toddycats-at-chained-to-our-roots-reroute-the-cross-island-line-to-protect-our-oldest-forests/">what people</a> <a href="http://www.besgroup.org/2013/06/25/save-macritchie-forest-9-chained-to-our-roots/">are doing about it</a> and <a href="http://lovemacritchie.wordpress.com/">how you can support them</a>! <br />
<br />
How to stay connected? well blogs for one and of course the nature folks are now on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celebrating-Singapores-Biodiversity-2010/233950260722">facebook</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/wildsingapore">twitter</a> and our <a href="http://lazy-lizard-tales.blogspot.sg/">dear Ivan</a> (<a href="http://lazy-lizard-tales.blogspot.sg/">Lazy Lizard Tales</a>) have even <a href="http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Science%2Band%2BTech/Story/A1Story20130708-435436.html">won a mainstream blog award</a>! Surely one of the community's proudest moments :)<br />
<br />
But of course, surely, you must visit Ria's <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/">WildSingapore</a> for one stop information about everything wild and nature-y in Singapore.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/9525552035_bf6e46c5ae.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Sometimes it is about taking that information and seeing what we can do about things as part of our work, our daily behaviour, consumer patterns, and as a citizen! Even NEA is calling all of us, every resident in Singapore, as the army for fighting dengue. Because we're all an extra pair of eyes, an extra pair of hands that can chip in to act or to sound the alarm.<br />
<br />
<b>Tip 4: Spread the Word</b><br />
I don't know about you but typical gadget-reliant <i>Homo sapien</i> that I am, my daily morning ritual includes reading facebook and twitter for news the minute I open my eyes. It doesn't stop at reading. Interesting and meaningful news deserves a share / retweet, such as <a href="http://www.aeonmagazine.com/living-together/cities-thrive-when-public-space-is-really-public/">this</a>. Not only do you need to share to spread the word, even when you like a post or article on facebook, chances are some friends of yours will get to see the article on their news feed. Even if my facebook is private, I know I am reaching out to the 1000 people in my circle. How about you?<br />
<br />
<img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/9528285206_def9ddf3fb.jpg" /><br />
<br />If you are a brave soul, why not take on the folks on STOMP and correct the misidentification of animals or share some positive ways to interact with the urban wildlife around us. And going even further, why not start creating your own content. Yes, I mean blog! To be honest, with the way social media has evolved, it has encouraged laziness, desire for convenience, short notes. But how much can you convey in 140chars and lost very soon in the rapid crossfire of Bieber news and other more exciting tabloid. At the end of the day, the internet and the power of google lies in the hands of users like us, who documents, creates and share information. So websites, blogs, and different form of content creation platforms will still be needed.<br />
<br />
It is not easy, it takes lots of perseverance but you won't regret it. Just yesterday, the <a href="http://butterflycircle.blogspot.sg/">Butterfly Circle blog</a> celebrated its <a href="http://butterflycircle.blogspot.sg/2013/08/happy-6th-birthday-butterflycircle-blog.html">6 years anniversary</a>! Khew accounted how his reluctance to blog in the beginning but just look at what a wonderful resource it is for butterflies in the region now! To give due credit, this blog post in itself is much thanks to him for sending me a reminder that the last time I blogged was one year ago!<br />
<br />
<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/9528321528_bb6f592e90.jpg" /><br />
<br />
If you, like me, have problems deciding what to blog due to fear of conflict with work, well, I have been told that the trick is to first find out your company's blogging policy (I havent! gulp), blog about something you are passionate about that does not mention your work (like butterflies) or just focus on positive things (no complaining?). To be honest I am still trying to figure it out. You'll know if I succeed when I start blogging more again! But first, to overcome the convenience of 140chars.<br />
<br />
<b>Tip 5: Just Get out There!</b><br />
At the end of the day, whether you do it alone, with a group, with other volunteers, with your family, for an event, or just a walk through the nearest park connector, JUST. GET. OUT. THERE.<br />
<br />
Not sure where to go? <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/index.html">WildSingapore</a> is my personal bible.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/9528284182_2bb34b00bb.jpg" /><br />
<br />
Thanks to my work, I now have excuse to get to know the nature areas in the North more keenly. There has also been a lot of new parks like the Bishan Park that is really far from me but worth checking it out just because it is, really, somewhat amazing! Sometimes it's just driving around getting into out of place areas. Or taking a walk to the nearest lake to get some peace and recharge after a week's worth of chaos and fatigue. Try it. Bring a loved one.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/9525499753_f8b17021eb.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b>Do you have any other tricks of the trade? Tips to balance the busy work life with getting out there? How do you guys do it?! Yes you, you, I'm talking about you! I want to know. Leave a comment.</b>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-88793901964263316122012-07-24T13:37:00.000+08:002013-08-17T08:26:40.318+08:00Tidbits of Inspiration<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/9525014687_4e95f2c9bf_o.jpg" width="500" />
<br />
Read more to find out more about this photo circulating facebook.<br />
<span class="fullpost">
<br />
This is a really creative campaign in Germany created by Ogilvy & Mather(?) for <a href="http://www.oroverde.de/">Oro Verde</a> to raise funds for the forest. As I often said, creativity is only limited by our imagination (and the outdoor advertising law in Singapore lol). And the worry that somebody will run off with the donation box? hah!
<br />
<br />
Ok, but my cynicism aside, let's all be inspired by this little tidbit for the day. This really struck home because my cousin is fundraising for a carnival for down syndrome teenagers to empower them in experiencing running stalls. Hopefully this will help inspire his team to find more creative ways for fundraising.
<br />
<br />
Speaking of inspirations, I've been invited to speak at Dunman High to students about the relevance of research in our everyday life and purposes beyond lab work and academia. I hope I can be that wee bit of inspiration for some young budding researchers.
<br />
<br />
<object height="300" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8u_YwMES0Dw?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8u_YwMES0Dw?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="300" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-62730216818515448002012-04-22T13:38:00.001+08:002012-04-22T16:52:56.357+08:00Happy Earth Day 2012!<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/6955024742_aa030604d3.jpg">
<span class="fullpost">
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-62927157966657519422011-04-13T16:08:00.004+08:002011-04-13T16:22:36.933+08:00Picnic for the Planet<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhL_142kdNG6X-_g88LOOQlF_m62Tq-mXxD5Kb3i0I7ZPfMejfz9dyaS9A7SxkcgRBQZdqwyRTgDyFBCC5QktzeZcgeEqQE8ULd1DMfxvYDWtWPM5jjv84ag136DW6pt03YSZi/s1600/ED2011.jpg"><br /><br />For Earth Day this year, the Nature Conservancy has started their 2011 Earth Day campaign, called Picnic for the Planet (See more at <a href="http://nature.org/earthday">nature.org/earthday</a>)<br /><br />The campaign is asking people to celebrate the planet by rounding up some friends and taking the planet out to lunch. They already have a number of meetups going on around the globe. You can just visit their map to find a picnic near you or see how you can start your own. There are currently <a href="http://www.meetup.com/NatureConservancy/Singapore/">2 picnics happening in Singapore</a>. Do you want to organise a walk + picnic to celebrate Earth Day? Post it on the Nature Conservancy Meetup.com Singapore page.<br /><br />Want to do more? Read on!<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Visit Nature Conservancy's top 5 Earth Day action list below. If you like the list, feel free to link or blog about their Earth Day campaign on your blog; and any social media outlets :)<br /><br /><strong>Top 5 Earth Day Actions</strong><br /><br />1. Eat Smart <a href="http://earthday.nature.org/smart/">http://earthday.nature.org/smart/</a><br /> Eat Smart. Learn what’s in your food! #picnic11<br /><br />2. Eat Local <a href="http://earthday.nature.org/local/">http://earthday.nature.org/local/</a><br /> See where <a href="http://www.twitter.com/nature_org">@Nature_org</a> conservation work & food production intersect. #picnic11<br /><br />3. Eat Sustainably <a href="http://earthday.nature.org/sustain/">http://earthday.nature.org/sustain/</a><br /><br />4. Eat Green <a href="http://earthday.nature.org/green/">http://earthday.nature.org/green/</a><br /><br />5. Eat Out <a href="http://earthday.nature.org/picnic/">http://earthday.nature.org/picnic/</a><br /> Get ready for #EarthDay! Find a local Picnic for the Planet! #picnic11<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-75159607967599516862010-04-25T12:28:00.005+08:002010-04-25T13:05:33.416+08:00Workshop on Cruel "Animal Liberation"<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/micamonkey/150897213/" title="Release not! by micamonkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/15/150897213_ca8b81f84d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Release not!" /></a><br /><font size=1>Birds caught for mercy release outside a temple in Bangkok. Many of the released birds are then caught again for the next round of release. Photo taken in 2006.</font><br /><br />After the last workshop on <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2010/04/wiping-out-trade-in-wildlife-recapped.html">Wiping out the trade in Wildlife</a> with Louis of <a href="http://www.acres.org.sg/">ACRES</a>, we now continue on the flip side of the coin by examining the issue of releasing invasive and exotic animals into our ecosystems. We are most grateful to have Ms Karen Teo from NParks to join us at our upcoming workshop to talk about the subject. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/micamonkey/140984754/" title="Operation No Release by micamonkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/140984754_eff1cb453a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Operation No Release" /></a><br /><font size=1>Many of the animals released into the wild also do not survive long. Find out why at the workshop.</font><br /><br />In 2006, I <a href="http://leafmonkey.blogspot.com/2006/05/operation-no-release.html">wrote about NPark's Operation No Release</a> which tries to reach out to those practising "mercy release" or "animal liberation". However, over the years, we've begun to hear more about animal release into our nature areas throughout the year, and not just on specific religious holidays such as Vesak Day alone. Mercy release <a href="http://www.hsus.org/hsi/wildlife/mercy_release/">has been said not to be so merciful</a> in reality. Find out more about this issue and how it affects the animals and our natural habitats in Singapore. For the 40th anniversary of Earth Day or perhaps even for Vesak Day, find out how you can really help the animals!<br /><br />Please do join us if you would like to find out more about what we as nature volunteers can do on this issue!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigaZP7_F1O-DYQbU9_6Y71M5tQkUeNi3ZEPZVcHdgWo4HWCFsj4BcPsbwro-lAYqiAOlF0bGsBX4_9kXVcgcH-WeOhPpGbU-kBGfw5ozf-UARcS2C6rc7rMMxykUKQOCLpg96/s660/workshopheaderbanner.gif" width=150 align=right><a href=" http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2010/04/operation-no-release.html">Operation No Release</a></span><br />Date: 30 Apr 2010, Friday<br />Time: 7.00pm - 9.30pm<br />Venue: Civil Service College<br />31 North Buona Vista Road Singapore 275983<br />Register now at: <a href="http://tr.im/register2010">http://tr.im/register2010</a><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />ABOUT THE WORKSHOP</span><br />This workshop focuses on the impact of exotic and invasive animals on our natural ecosystems in Singapore. Topics covered include:<br />(1) What is animal release? mercy release versus pet abandonment<br />(2) What are the impacts of animal release?<br />(3) How can you help?<br /><br />This workshop is likely to be useful for anyone interested to do more about the release of animals into our natural habitats. It would be especially useful for anyone interested to volunteer for or would like to find out more about <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2010/04/help-stop-cruel-animal-liberation.html">NPark's efforts on tackling this issue</a>. The workshop requires active participation and includes role playing activities and is not to be mistaken for a public talk.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">SPEAKER<br /></span>Karen Teo, NParks<br />Karen Teo is a Senior Outreach Officer of the Central Nature Reserve Branch (National Parks Board). An ex-teacher by training, Karen is passionate about conserving Singapore's natural heritage. She did her Master thesis on Bukit Timah Nature Reserve at the Australian National University. Currently, she develops, facilitates and organises outreach and educational activities/programmes at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. In addition, she gives talks on nature conservation issues of Singapore to schools, organisations and the universities and conducts training workshops for teachers on fieldwork activities in the nature reserves and nature parks.<br /><br />For more details, visit<a href=" http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2010/04/operation-no-release.html"><br />http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2010/04/operation-no-release.html</a><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-86904119733709010152010-02-28T15:36:00.005+08:002010-02-28T15:48:28.644+08:00Animal Welfare 2.0<div style="width:425px" id="__ss_3272676"><strong style="display:block;margin:12px 0 4px"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/micamonkey/animal-welfare-2-0" title="Animal Welfare 2 0">Animal Welfare 2 0</a></strong><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=animalwelfare2-0-100225045301-phpapp01&stripped_title=animal-welfare-2-0" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><embed src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=animalwelfare2-0-100225045301-phpapp01&stripped_title=animal-welfare-2-0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="padding:5px 0 12px">View more <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/micamonkey">November Tan</a>.</div></div>Last Thursday, I was invited to talk about using social media for advocacy at "I am Cat. Hear me Roar.", a advocacy and mediation workshop by the Cat Welfare Society as part of their Tiger Show @ Post Museum on 25 Feb 2010. In case you missed the talk, here are the slides that I presented.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><img src="http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs413.snc3/24935_327425628659_624178659_3581736_6172400_n.jpg" width=400><br /><br />The panel that followed the presentations included ex-NMP Mr Siew Kum Hong and this monkey was celebrity-stricken. Well that happens when it's somebody I admire. Unfortunately I didnt get a chance to chat with him afterwards. I was also most pleasantly surprised when I had a few folks come up to chat with me after a presentation. That's very heartening. Thanks folks! That's the best encouragement a speaker can get - interest in the topic!<br /><br /><img src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs433.snc3/24935_327426253659_624178659_3581765_8135858_n.jpg" width=400><br /><font size=1>I look like I'm being inundated by questions! But I swear that's just a camera trick (grin) All photos by <a href="http://budak.blogs.com/">Marcus Ng</a></font><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-76282174330839780892010-02-23T19:40:00.003+08:002010-02-23T19:45:14.165+08:00Butt Watcher's Workshop - A New PerspectiveJoin the Leafmonkey Workshop in gaining new perspectives to watching butts... butterflies that is... with Khew of Butterfly Circle. We are most grateful to have Khew to share with us on the local butterflies in Singapore despite his very busy schedule! <br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigaZP7_F1O-DYQbU9_6Y71M5tQkUeNi3ZEPZVcHdgWo4HWCFsj4BcPsbwro-lAYqiAOlF0bGsBX4_9kXVcgcH-WeOhPpGbU-kBGfw5ozf-UARcS2C6rc7rMMxykUKQOCLpg96/s660/workshopheaderbanner.gif" width=150 align=right><strong>Date:</strong> 5 March 2010, Friday<br /><strong>Time:</strong> 7.00pm - 9.30pm<br /><strong>Venue:</strong> Civil Service College<br />31 North Buona Vista Road Singapore 275983<br /><br />Register now at: <a href="http://tr.im/register2010">http://tr.im/register2010</a><br /><br />For more details, visit <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2010/02/butt-watchers-workshop-new-perspective.html">The Leafmonkey Workshop website</a>.<br /><span class="fullpost"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-13611566545134540032010-01-27T15:13:00.006+08:002010-01-27T15:24:49.727+08:00Have a say in shaping our homeI always lament to my parents that when I was young I was never given an opportunity to have a say in shaping my home. As I got older, I fought for every chance to have a say in what goes in (and out) my living environment. If that sounds familiar to you, you'll probably be happy to hear that we now get a chance to have a say in shaping our island home!<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />The Urban Redevelopment Authority, the national planning agency in Singapore, is seeking feedback for its next Concept Plan 2011 which determines Singapore's development plans for the next 30-50 years. <br /><br />URA wants to know what you, fellow Singaporeans, want for our island city state. Here is your chance to speak up for our sea shores and other nature areas! And our heritage areas too!<br /><br />Do the URA survey for its Concept Plan 2011. <br /><a href="http://spring.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2011/">http://spring.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2011/</a><br /><br />To quote Ria Tan of WildSingapore, "the survey is simple to do, with lots of free-text options for you to leave comments about your favourite places in Singapore. Speak up for our shores (and other nature areas)! Every voice counts! You can be sure lots of people will speak up for shopping centres so <b>please speak up for our wild places</b>! Get your like-minded friends to also speak up for our wild places and shores. "<br /><br />For more on about the survey, see: <br /><a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2010/01/shopping-centres-versus-sea-shores-time.html">Wild shores of singapore blog </a><br /><a href="http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php?entry=/conceptplan/20100127-URA-CP2011.txt">Habitatnews</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-11245622522641228762010-01-15T12:35:00.001+08:002010-01-07T12:43:02.162+08:00Crabby Tales: No Chili Required, Fri 15 Jan 2010, 7pmThe Leafmonkey Workshop is celebrating its 1st anniversary with its 13th workshop on Crabby Tales. But not to worry, no chili will be required! All you need to do is sign up and brace yourself for crabby tales accompanied with our birthday cake, good company and plenty of fun. <br /><br />Thank you for supporting the Leafmonkey Workshop over its past year. We'll love to see familiar (and new faces) at our birthday celebration. Hope to see you there!<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigaZP7_F1O-DYQbU9_6Y71M5tQkUeNi3ZEPZVcHdgWo4HWCFsj4BcPsbwro-lAYqiAOlF0bGsBX4_9kXVcgcH-WeOhPpGbU-kBGfw5ozf-UARcS2C6rc7rMMxykUKQOCLpg96/s660/workshopheaderbanner.gif" width=150 align=right><strong>Date:</strong> 15 January 2010, Friday<br /><strong>Time:</strong> 7.00pm - 9.30pm<br /><strong>Venue:</strong> Civil Service College<br />31 North Buona Vista Road Singapore 275983<br /><br />Register now at: <a href="http://tr.im/register2010">http://tr.im/register2010</a><br /><br />For more details, visit <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2009/12/crabby-tales-no-chili-required.html">The Leafmonkey Workshop website</a>.<br /><span class="fullpost"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-5583191069102999392010-01-05T11:37:00.006+08:002010-01-05T11:55:42.405+08:00Impacts of Marine Aquaculture & Possible SolutionsIt has hit the news of late that algal bloom over the Straits of Johor have deeply impacted the fish farms clustered in the straits off Pasir Ris, Changi and <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2010/01/plankton-bloom-hits-pulau-ubin-fish.html">Pulau Ubin</a>. A reporter from TODAY contacted me yesterday asking for comments on the impacts of fish farms and some possible solutions to allay these possible environmental impacts. This was probably after reading my blog post on Pulau Ubin Stories on <a href="http://pulauubinstories.blogspot.com/2010/01/red-tide-affecting-pulau-ubin.html">Red Tide affecting Pulau Ubin</a>. Interestingly, in September 2009, I also commented about the need to manage our aquaculture farms carefully in a Straits Times article about <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2009/09/kelongs-vanishing-fast-in-singapore.html">vanishing Kelongs in Singapore</a>. <br /><br />Knowing the limitations of a news article, I decided to share my long reply on this blog with all my readers as well. I must confess that I am no expert in aquaculture or marine systems, but here are my two cents worth based on some research I did doing my blog post as well as projects done on aquaculture in university. <br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Fish farms, if done sustainably, are important for supplementing our seafood supply and prevent overfishing. However, fish farms if not managed well, could result in major environmental pollution and further harm the wild population of fish in our seas. The sea is not an enclosed farm with concrete walls and any food, antibiotics fed to the fish, as well as the fish waste would eventually dispersed into the sea. <br /><br />Also the household waste and sewage of the farm also needs to be managed properly. In a deep sea system with good water circulation, perhaps the concentration of nutrients and chemicals would be naturally diluted by the ocean currents. However, in the straits of johor, there is very poor circulation of water due to the causeway blocking circulations. Furthermore, locating large number of fish farms in clusters with poor circulation is potentially problematic as the sea is unable to naturally dilute the nutrients. <br /><br />When nutrient level is very high, massive algal bloom will occur which may deplete oxygen supply in the waters. This not only kills the fish in the farms but all wild fish population. If the species of algae blooming contains toxin, then when humans consume the seafood affected by this algal bloom, they too will become sick. <br /><br />For fish farms located near river mouths like those at Changi and Pasir Ris, they are affected by the monsoon flood discharges from both Singapore and Malaysia. The freshwater will float above the salt water and prevent oxygen from circulating and resulting in fish death as well. But these flood discharges may also carry with them more nutrients from agriculture or sewage discharges from the land into the sea. Combined with existing nutrients from fish farm, these could easily exacerbate the problem.<br /> <br />For solutions, we can do several things:<br /><br />1) Understand well the geographical environment and ecological system of our waters before we locate our fish farms. For example, the <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2010/01/fish-farms-in-west-spared-from-plankton.html">fish farms off Semakau were not affected</a> by the mass death because they are not near the coast or river mouths,and they have good circulation. Make sure that fish farms are not located too near existing coral reefs as well to minimise impact to our wild fish population. Changi, Ubin and Pasir Ris are all very near existing reefs such as Chek Jawa, Changi and Pasir Ris. Monsoon flood discharges will happen every year so perhaps locating far from river mouths and coastal areas will be helpful.<br /> <br />2) Do not cluster too many fish farms together in close vicinity to one another. This reduces the environment's natural ability to dilute pollutants and nutrients in the water. Overcrowding is a known problem in aquaculture. Both overcrowding of fish in each cell of a farm, and in this case, overcrowding of farms in one area with poor water circulation. [<font color=red>On hindsight</font>: It's important to have scientific studies done on the treshold and carrying capacity of our waters and the number of fish farms it can support without resulting in future calamities]<br /><br />3) Strong regulation and monitoring of fish farm practices are most critical. The amount of antibiotics and fish feed given, how the farms deal with fish waste, as well as, the sewage and household waste from the farm should be strongly regulated and monitored. Farmers should also be educated on proper practices. Good practitioners should be rewarded and best practises shared.<br /> <br />4) Consumers can also play a part in encouraging good practises if fish farms can be awarded sustainability labels for good practises by the government. These sustainable fish farms should be rewarded by consumers by buying only these sustainably-reared fish, identified by these labels. Most of the time, the problem in Singapore lies with ambivalent conusmers who do not question where their fish comes from. Also, there is a lack of information in our markets and supermarkets where there are no labels indicating origin of fish or how they are reared, especially those from local fish farms.<br /><br />Please feel free to share your ideas and comments. Have you spot any factual errors? Please let me know! <br /><br />Related Reads:<br /><a href="http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Oceans/Aquaculture/">Marine Aquaculture</a>, David Suzuki Foundation<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-24852458429406278852010-01-03T09:23:00.011+08:002010-01-03T10:31:10.961+08:00Nature in the Heartlands: Toa Payoh Town Park<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/micamonkey/4235325319/" title="dragonflies at toa payoh! by micamonkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4235325319_58e2360c53.jpg" alt="dragonflies at toa payoh!" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />Located beside the Pan Island Expressway and the Toa Payoh Swimming Pool, the <a href="http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_visitorsguide&task=parks&id=38&Itemid=73">Toa Payoh Town Park</a> is one of the oldest neighborhood parks in Singapore developed in the 70s with Singapore's first satellite town. Despite being located beside the highway, the green belt acts as a buffer to the noise. It offers a relaxing sanctuary from the bustle of the mall that is just across the road. New plantings could be sighted amongst the old angsana trees heavy with staghorn ferns. These grand dames have probably seen the park change over the last 40 years.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Neighborhood parks like Toa Payoh Park are like a green oasis in the concrete landscapes that we are familiar with in our housing estates these days. One minute I could be walking past crowds at the HDB Hub and the next minute I feel like I have entered a secret garden, lined with trees that form a wall separating the garden and the madding crowd. It almost feels like they don't design parks the way they used to. New generation parks designed today seems to adopt an open concept which I suppose is inclusive but the concept of an enclosed lush green hideaway in the middle of the madding crowd appeals to me. Another of such a green oasis is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istana_Park">Istana Park</a> located in the middle of orchard road.<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=113688635816366984396.00047c388759a1535e4fb&ll=1.330599,103.848438&spn=0.007508,0.00912&z=16&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=113688635816366984396.00047c388759a1535e4fb&ll=1.330599,103.848438&spn=0.007508,0.00912&z=16&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">Toa Payoh Town Garden</a> in a larger map</small><br /><br />What more, wildlife appears to be teeming at the park as well! In fact, we were pleasantly greeted by these information boards about the dragonfly species which you can find at the park. And just as we were reading the signboard, a damselfly flew and settled on the blade of grass right in front of us. An excited monkey exclaimed immediately, "quick! quick! see which dragonfly is it!" but confronted with a choice of 6 different species on the board, we concluded that it must be "the red one", for obvious reasons.<br /><br />For those who are unsure about the <a href="http://insects.about.com/od/identifyaninsect/a/dragonordamsel.htm">difference between dragonflies and damselflies</a>, the next informative signboard down the path answered just that question! The table below from the about.com insect page gives you some clue.<br /><br /><table border="1" cellpadding="2"> <tbody><tr><td>Characteristic</td><td align="center"><b>Dragonfly</b></td><td align="center"><b>Damselfly</b></td></tr> <tr><td><b>Eyes</b></td><td align="left">most have eyes that touch, or nearly touch, at the top of the head</td><td align="left">eyes are clearly separated, usually appearing to each side of the head</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Body</b></td><td align="left">usually stocky</td><td align="left">usually long and slender</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Wing Shape</b></td><td align="left">dissimilar wing pairs, with hind wings broader at the base</td><td align="left">all wings similar in shape</td></tr> <tr color="yellow"><td color=yellow><b>Position at Rest</b></td><td align="left" color=yellow><b>wings held open, horizontally or downwards</b></td><td align="left" color=yellow><b>wings held closed, usually over abdomen</b></td></tr> <tr><td><b><a href="http://insects.about.com/od/d/g/discalcell.htm">Discal Cell</a></b></td><td align="left">divided into triangles</td><td align="left">undivided, quadrilateral</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Male Appendages</b></td><td align="left">pair of superior anal appendages, single inferior appendage</td><td align="left">two pairs of anal appendages</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Female Appendages</b></td><td align="left">most have vestigial ovipositors</td><td align="left">functional ovipositors</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Larvae</b></td><td align="left">breathe through rectal tracheal gills; stocky bodies</td><td align="left">breathe through caudal gills; slender bodies</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /><br />If you noticed the google map satellite image of the park, a series of freshwater habitats make up part of the park. The information board also pointed out how damselflies and dragonflies are important keystone species as they prefer clean clear unpolluted waters. In fact, in environmental assessment studies, the presence of eggs laid by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayfly">mayflies</a>, a relative of dragonflies and damselflies, are used as <a href="http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/1995164445-77557861/content%7Econtent=a713828383&db=all">indicators of lake ecosystem health</a> in the US. Perhaps likewise, dragonflies and damselflies play similar roles in our freshwater habitats. In Singapore, there are <a href="http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/raffles_museum_pub/Dragonfly_of_Singapore.pdf">now about 117</a> <a href="http://www.greenunity.net/odonata/intro.asp">species of dragonflies and damselflies</a>, including some new records from last year. According to the signboard, a few species have gone extinct due to habitat loss.<br /><br />If you're an enthusiast of our fragile winged friends, here's a guide from the Butterfly Circle blog which tells you more about <a href="http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2008/01/butterfly-watching-photography-at-local.html">butterfly photography at the Toa Payoh Town Park</a>. It even includes a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0pmnueanUv54OxBfAf5s1gBJ4jwj_E6DW7mIw9brfhC13LzPQvVvTCCNaqsWVMMhzWiYWg4R4Yc1zYGqPenISJVQCsAUCR_Ra7p_wauJf_ruH4pu0Gj6_a2xzsemYR_G0XNqow/s1600-h/TPTP+Map.gif">map of the place</a>. In 2009, NParks held a <a href="http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=172&Itemid=160#4">workshop on creating dragonfly friendly habitats</a> at the Toa Payoh Town Park! Personally I only happen to go there because <a href="http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/oasis_taiwan_porridge_restaurant_toa_payoh/">dinner</a> is in the middle of the park!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-72088570438826138182010-01-02T12:14:00.017+08:002010-01-02T14:10:52.365+08:00NEA reaching out to new migrants<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/micamonkey/4235322453/" title="Chinese Version by micamonkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2738/4235322453_1bff5c4f90.jpg" width="245" alt="Chinese Version" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/micamonkey/4235322633/" title="Tamil Version? by micamonkey, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/4235322633_0aae23b7d8.jpg" width="245" alt="Tamil Version?" /></a><br /><br />Spotted at 2 consecutive bus stops along boon lay way - the indian one at lakeside mrt and the chinese version one bus stop later. It's very interesting and creative for NEA to adopt targeted marketing outreach at our new migrant populations, using <a href="http://www.impawards.com/intl/india/2004/posters/king_of_bollywood.jpg">cultural</a> <a href="http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/051130/051130_aids_hmed_11a.hmedium.jpg">design</a> styles which they may be familiar with. It may also be the population in this residential area which sees large number of new <a href="http://migrantworkerssingapore.blogspot.com/">transient migrants</a>. Before you think it's discrimination, we must acknowledge that it is important to educate those who may not be familiar with our many 'fine' laws. These are purely information posters from what I can see. Anyone know which language is the indian one in? Hindi? Tamil? Urdu? Bengali?<br /><br />Just as we need to understand more about natural systems when we design our developmental infrastructure, we also need to take into account cultural systems when we design our outreach efforts. Props to NEA for their creative effort!<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />On hindsight: @<a href="http://twitter.com/struthious/status/7290273504">struthious</a> on twitter commented that the ads are targeted at "foreign workers" and not "new migrants". I think that the issue here is their "newness" so let's not dispute whether the ads are for transient workers or new citizens. And we definitely cannot stereotype the demographics of what constitute "new migrants" - whether citizens, permanent residents or transients. Cultural habits, and baggage(!), may also transcend education background. For all its worth, I'm sure it'll serve its purpose for all new to Singapore. And perhaps some Singaporeans too! <br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-22941598094120781962009-10-15T16:37:00.004+08:002009-10-16T16:54:20.529+08:00Blog Action Day: Acting for Climate Change<img src="http://www.blogactionday.org/imgs/badges/bad-300-250.jpg" width=180 align=right>A lil late for Blog Action Day but nonetheless! This year's theme is on climate change and for this whole week, the topic has been high on my attention. Mostly because I was attending a launch of the video "High Stakes" at British High Commission on Tuesday and attending a talk by lecture by James Leape, Director General of WWF on COP15 on Wednesday.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />The video "high stakes" is a visual summary of the ADB report on the "Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review". I suppose it's really handy when people could not sit through reading a dry report on the topic. Instead, the short film explained using visuals, graphics, dialogues and interviews. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.greenschool.org/images/photos/place.jpg"><br /><br />After the film screening is a talk by Mr James Hardy who founded the Green School in Bali. The school is built entirely of bamboo and engages local artisan craftsman to help build just about everything in the school! To add to that, the curriculum of the school involves both conventional English Math Science syllabus as well as an ecological environmental science component and learning creative arts! Sounds like my dream school. After the presentation, I cannot stop thinking about moving to Bali to teach in the school and be part of this wonderful project. To learn more about the school,<a href="http://www.greenschool.org/"> visit their website</a>. Interestingly, Mr John Hardy was interviewed in <a href="http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20091016/tap-singapore-ecoproducts-c3bb44c.html">this Reuters article</a> today.<br /><br />Being involved full time in a wonderful project like that, living and working in an effort to make this world more sustainable, for and with our future generation, now that's action!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-1190949074347280462009-10-09T11:16:00.004+08:002009-10-09T12:17:42.580+08:00Blog Action Day 2009: Climate ChangeIt's time for taking action through your blog again! <br /><br />Every year on 15 October is Blog Action Day where the bloggosphere aligns its conversation for a day towards a particular cause by talking about the same thing on the same day. This year's cause is "Climate Change". Very timely since the treaty succeeding the Kyoto Protocol will likely be adopted at this year's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Climate_Change_Conference_2009">COP15</a>. <br /><br />For the last 2 years, Midnight Monkey Monitor has been taking part in Blog Action Day. 2009 will be no different. I have registered my blog. So far 31 blogs from Singapore are listed. Are you one of them? Will you be joining in the action? Register your blogs now!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogactionday.org"><img src="http://www.blogactionday.org/imgs/badges/bad-300-250.jpg" border=0 /></a><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><b>"Saving forests five times better than carbon capture for climate action"</b><br />7 Oct 2009, <a href="http://www.panda.org/wwf_news/news/?uNewsID=176141">WWF Sweden</a><br /><br />WWF Sweden is urging its government — holding the current EU Presidency - to get behind an effective international agreement on halting forest loss as a key and highly cost effective measure on climate change.<br /><br />"Sweden should follow the examples set by its northern neighbors in developing systems to halt deforestation," said WWF CEO General Lasse Gustavsson.. "One Swedish krona to stem deforestation results in the same emissions reductions as five kronor for the controversial carbon capture and storage technique."<br /><br />Gold in Green Forests, a report issued today by WWF-Sweden, says that next to energy efficiency halting forest loss and degradation is the most cost-effective method for mitigating climate change.<br /><br />The annual loss of natural forests in developing countries is equivalent to one third of Sweden’s surface area. Forest fires, the conversion of forests to agricultural land and the cultivation of energy crops are responsible for the high rate of forest loss.<br /><br />A program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, known as REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is currently being discussed in the negotiations for a global climate deal. REDD aims to make it worthwhile for developing countries to maintain their forests, as opposed to cutting them down.<br /><br />In order for REDD to succeed it needs a suitable framework and international finance, including aid to developing countries will be required. Potential investors recently surveyed by WWF said they would be ready to support a forest carbon market if certainty and support were forthcoming from the international community and key national<br /><br />"prioritise solutions that are best for both the environment and our wallets"<br /><br />In Indonesia, where large areas of forests are cut down and prepared for palm oil plantations, 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation. Halting deforestation would not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but would also secure the livelihoods of people living in these forests.<br /><br />”We should always prioritize solutions that are best for both the environment and our wallets, especially during the ongoing financial crisis. Sweden’s cautious attitude in this area is therefore very surprising,” said Gustavsson, who calls for the government to take action during the ongoing climate change conference in Bangkok and secure a system to finance the protection of the world’s forests. <br /><br />”Norway, Finland, Denmark and Germany have already guaranteed financing for REDD between 2010 and 2012. It's time for the Swedish government to take action - both domestic and as EU President,” he said.<br /><br />If parties are able to come to an agreement on a new climate deal in Copenhagen, it will not enter into force until 2013. Meanwhile deforestation will continue to accelerate in large parts of the tropics. <br /><br />“Time is passing and the possibility of reaping the positive climate effects that a stop in the loss of forests entails is decreasing rapidly. Complex social, economic and ecological are involved which is why a global cooperation for REDD must be carefully prepared,” says Stefan Henningsson, Climate Director, WWF Sweden.<br /><br />WWF negotiators in Bangkok are urging a an insitutional structure for REDD which guarantees transparency, effectiveness and longterm financing from developed countries in support of measures in developing countries. In financing, WWF is seeking the equivalent of $US 42 billion per year after 2013, a key element of an estimated financing requirement of $US 160 billion annually for climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing countries.<br /><br />The scheme would aim for a goal of zero net deforestation by 2020, with WWF also emphasising that forestry and climate projects must also contribute to the conservation of biological diversity and respect the rights of local and native populations.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-77254865122756899982009-10-08T15:21:00.004+08:002009-10-08T16:15:57.816+08:00Wet and Wild in Sep-Oct 2009!As some of you may know, this monkey is no longer a full time graduate student but is now a gainfully employed member of the workforce since August 2009. Still, that is no excuse for my silence on the blog front. Just some updates on what I have been up to since my last post!<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><b>4 Oct 2009: Really Really Free Market</b><br />Been waiting 2 months to give away clothes at the Really Really Free Market, held monthly at Post-Museum, Rowell Road. Everything at RRFM is free and people can freely take and give. There are also a lot of indian workers in the vicinity who takes the clothes to give their family and partners. I brought down 4 big bags of clothes and items which were all taken by the end of 4 hours! There were about 10 pieces of leftovers which were collected by one kind soul who sent them to a disaster relief collection point. I hope all the clothes went to good use and good homes.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3992582814_cdbd0a4fdf.jpg"><br /><br /><b>3 Oct 2009: Guided GE2221 Nature & Society Students at Chek Jawa</b><br />Had a wet and wild afternoon with students from the NUS geography module "Nature & Society" at Chek Jawa, talking about conservation and development in the pouring rain. Despite being drenched, I had a thoroughly good time and I hope they did too! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/micamonkey/tags/3oct09/">More photos here</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2625/3979079980_7be2af4e82.jpg"><br /><br /><b>2 Oct 2009: The Naked Truth and other Sluggish Affairs</b><br />After a 2 months hiatus, we kick started activities at The Leafmonkey Workshop with Chay Hoon's naked workshop on slugs and other naked molluscs. <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2009/10/naked-truth-other-sluggish-affairs.html">Read more about what happened</a> on the newly revamped The Leafmonkey Workshop website! Photos can be <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/micamonkey/tags/slugsworkshop/">found here</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3979187362_948e7885dd.jpg"><br /> <br /><i>Revamp of The Leafmonkey Workshop Website</i><br />To celebrate our upcoming 1st year anniversary of The Leafmonkey Workshop, I recently revamped <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com">the website</a> to a user-friendly version with a new logo to commemorate our first milestone. One young, tender leaf to mark our first year.<br /><br /><a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlH9OyD_lDEwpzjGmzrvngQclkJ19auHyxJ4A_ZFmzTfVt4dcIhywczopIReE2qFwPPV9AOOtncwcpkPCKFKRP8g0MMnnzYWYcoRCDbvkNfQ3O-_SQbOeLUiLuZOkkAsgjCaAS/s720/workshopheaderbanner1yranniv" width=500></a><br /><br /><b>28 Sep 2009: <a href="http://tr.im/zXkZ">"Kelongs Vanishing fast in Singapore"</a></b> <br />I was recently contacted and quoted in a ST article on "Kelongs Vanishing Fast in Singapore" (28 September 2009)<br /><blockquote>Ms November Tan, who runs environmental workshops islandwide, acknowledges that aquaculture is a popular solution for food sustainability: 'Food security will be easier met with fish farming,' she said, but added that there are environmental problems with aquaculture.<br /><br />'There are issues with water pollution due to faecal waste and risk of disease due to fish overcrowding.'<br /><br />The best solution, she said, is to cut down on consumption so the natural population in the sea can replenish itself.<br /><br />'It boils down to consumer choice,' she said. 'Singaporeans almost never ask where our fish come from. We seem to think there is a never-ending supply. That is not the case.'</blockquote></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-75018810691638208362009-08-06T23:03:00.002+08:002009-08-06T23:12:51.533+08:00Haze is back<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/3794713967_6bb08e1210.jpg"><br /><br />This morning I took this picture from my office building. Seems like the haze is back indeed. Although I saw the haze at home this morning, a visit to NEA website this morning stated PSI was still good. I wonder if it got worse in the next update. Oh well. This Channel NewsAsia article shows that it did.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><b>Haze in Singapore as 50 hot spots detected in Sumatra</b><br />By Hasnita A Majid, <a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/447289/1/.html">Channel NewsAsia</a><br />06 August 2009<br /><br />SINGAPORE: The haze is back in Singapore and you can expect more hazy days ahead.<br /><br />Smoke haze shrouded Singapore on Thursday morning, with an acrid burning smell hanging in the air.<br /><br />And the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI), which measures the air quality in Singapore, was around 60 on Thursday.<br /><br />Though this is still in the moderate range, it is however slightly higher than Wednesday's reading of 52.<br /><br />Smoke haze has been blowing into Singapore and the National Environment Agency (NEA) said that over the past few days, its satellite pictures detected significant hot spots with moderate to dense smoke.<br /><br />The hot spots are mainly in the Sumatran provinces of Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra.<br /><br />On Thursday alone, 50 hot spots were detected in Sumatra.<br /><br />NEA added that with prevailing dry weather in the region and the wind direction expected to remain the same in the next few days, hazy conditions can be expected in Singapore over the next few days.<br /><br />Doctors have cautioned against outdoor activities if the situation worsens, especially for those with respiratory illnesses.<br /><br />Dr Chuah Li Li, a general practitioner from My Family Doctor, said: "Usually the discomfort is felt in the eyes, where people will feel there is a little bit of the smarting discomfort or a dry sensation. The other thing that you might feel is the throat discomfort.<br /><br />"For people who have lung problems, chronic obstructive lung disease and asthma, there might be a sensation if there's a little bit of difficulty in breathing and a chest tightness or cough.<br /><br />"Elderly people with pre-existing lung condition or children with asthma should actually cut down on outdoor activities, especially strenuous activities like playing basketball and football."<br /><br />But members of the public are not too concerned about the situation now.<br /><br />"At the moment, still not so serious, maybe if it gets serious, we will do some precautionary measures," said a member of the public.<br /><br />Singapore has expected the haze to return this year as the El Nino weather phenomenon develops, bringing with it hotter and drier weather.<br /><br />The situation is expected to worsen in the coming months, especially when the dry weather peaks in September.<br /><br />The haze is the result of smoke from slash and burn activities in Indonesia, when farmers clear their lands to make way for new crops.<br /><br />Hot and dry weather can also cause dry twigs and leaves to burst into flames spontaneously.<br /><br />Just recently, Singapore handed over three air and weather monitoring stations to Jambi Province in Sumatra to help calculate the risk of fires starting and spreading in the surrounding areas during dry weather.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-28626075835407849912009-07-02T15:13:00.006+08:002009-07-02T15:58:03.306+08:00Thinking about Bio Walls<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/3330828624_bde6875baf.jpg"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/intrepidacious/3330828624/">"Living Wall"</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/intrepidacious/">Intrepidacious</a><br /><br />Today on Twitter, Debby (<a href="http://twitter.com/torvaanser">@torvaanser</a>) of <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org">Pulau Hantu Blog</a> posted a question: "What do u think abt biowalls (aka living/greenwalls)? Are they all they claim to be? Wld u like to see more of them? <a href="http://is.gd/1l7qO">http://is.gd/1l7qO</a>"<br /><br />So, what are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_wall">BioWalls</a>? What do I think of them? Monkey was put to task to think about these biowalls as I sought to answer these questions for Debby's article about the increasing installations of BioWalls in Singapore.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Biowalls are usually a wall with plants growing on it, and a big hype in green building designs of late. They are supposed to serve wonderful purposes such as insulation from heat (as building facades) or air and water purification (as walls inside buildings).<br /><br /><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/117/278502906_cf1b70ee37.jpg?v=0"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31652869@N00/278502906/">Biowall Diagram</a> by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31652869@N00/">The Robertson Building</a><br />Ideally, a Biowall should serve these functions as illustrated in this diagram. This was installed in the robertson building in Canada. <br /><br /><b>So what do I think?</b><br />Active biowalls are a wonderful ways to combine technology with natural ecosystem services such as air or water purification by plants in our buildings for example. However, if these biowalls are not fully integrated into building systems design, it defeats the purpose of installing the "so-called" biowalls. They become merely aesthetic horticultural features, making them no different from existing floral features.<br /><br />We all know Singapore love to sell ourselves to be clean and green. But having just a wall made up of plants without proper integration into the building to allow it to provide environmental services to us, then that does NOT make it a "biowall". They would just be another piece of indoor plant decor "art". If building developers still went ahead and label them as "biowalls" then i definitely smell <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenwash">greenwash</a> in the air.<br /><br />So the next time you see a "biowall", let's be critical and ask about the natural services these plants provide for the building, if any. But if building developers do make a concerted effort to fully harness the potential of these walls then we should definitely applaud them for it! Kudos.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-23953186149835209372009-06-21T13:13:00.002+08:002009-06-21T13:14:05.444+08:00Pulau Ubin Stories Workshop, 3 Jul 2009, 7pm<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigaZP7_F1O-DYQbU9_6Y71M5tQkUeNi3ZEPZVcHdgWo4HWCFsj4BcPsbwro-lAYqiAOlF0bGsBX4_9kXVcgcH-WeOhPpGbU-kBGfw5ozf-UARcS2C6rc7rMMxykUKQOCLpg96/s660/workshopheaderbanner.gif" width=150 align=right>I will be conducting a workshop suitable for nature guides and those of us who frequent Pulau Ubin and would like to share more of the island's history and geography with friends and family. This is not a talk but a workshop with activities that would help to enhance public communication. I am still hoping to invite some special guest speakers who are veterans on the island who would hopefully be able to share stories that even I don't know about!<br /><br />Vacancies are limited. Only 10 spots left! Do register early to avoid being disappointed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Date:</span> 3 July 2009, Friday<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Time:</span> 7.00pm - 9.30pm<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Venue:</span> Civil Service College<br />31 North Buona Vista Road Singapore 275983<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">PLEASE REGISTER AT</span><br /><a href="http://is.gd/16XCb">http://is.gd/16XCb</a><span class="fullpost"><br /><br /><b>SPEAKER</b><br />November Tan<br />November is a graduate student in the Department of Geography at NUS as well as an active nature guide on Pulau Ubin amongst others. 3 generations of her family traces their roots back to Pulau Ubin and she traces hers on <a href="http://pulauubinstories.blogspot.com">Pulau Ubin Stories</a>, a blog which archives the stories old and new on Pulau Ubin. She did her undergraduate honors thesis on "Saving Chek Jawa: Social Capital and Networks in Nature Conservation". She has also authored several heritage trails publications for the National Heritage Board. She currently coordinate workshops for nature guides at The Leafmonkey Workshop and writes at the <a href="http://leafmonkey.blogspot.com">Midnight Monkey Monitor</a>.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-29566137504411616772009-06-13T12:11:00.004+08:002009-06-13T12:34:57.326+08:00Cat's Night Out at Jurong Point!<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3595021898_29c6bbd3c4.jpg"><br />The Cat Welfare Society is organizing an opportunity for Singapore to showcase our lovely domestic breeds! Unfortunately I don't have the honor of caring for any lovely feline of my own so I have instead been asked to be a judge at the Cat's Night Out!<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />They are looking for "Most Beautiful Domestic Cat" and "Most Popular Domestic Cat". Prizes include $300 worth of Jurong Point Shopping Vouchers, cat supplies from Pets Station and Fancy Feast products.<br /><br />But I think the real prize is giving our "longkang" cats an opportunity to show Singaporeans how beautiful they are and what wonderful temperaments they have. Usually cat shows are for purebreds only and is more of a show of what better breeders and groomers or trainers the owners are. But often, these attitudes of "purebreds are the best" result in things like puppy mills, irresponsible breeders and more abandonment!<br /><br />How about adopting a stray cat and giving him or her a home? Neutering your cats instead of breeding them. No "paper" or certifications does not make them any less beautiful or loveable. Especially once neutered, many of them are wonderful companions with great temperament.<br /><br />Personally I just can't wait to get to meet everybody's cats! So bring your cats down to the Cat's Night Out!<br /><br />Date: 20 June 2009<br />Venue: JP1 Centrestage<br />Time: 9 - 11pm<br /><br />Click Here To <a href="http://www.catwelfare.org/drupal/userfiles/docs/JurPoint-CatNightOut-AppForm.doc">Download The Application Form</a> (Right-Click and Save As)<br /><br />Fill up the form and email to <a href="mailto:info@catwelfare.org">info@catwelfare.org</a> with a good picture of your cat!<br /><br />See you there!<br /><br /><i><b>Why is the Leafmonkey one of the judges?</b><br />The Rambling Leafmonkey is the founder of an online cat photography connoisseur club on <a href="http://www.deviantart.com">deviantart.com</a> called <a href="http://pussypatrol.deviantart.com">Pussy Patrol</a>. And mainly because she's crazy about cats and it's an open secret that she hopes to be a cat lady when she grows up. She claimed that she offered to be the emcee for the event but ended up being asked to be a judge as consolation. Unable to believe why she got asked, she bugged CWS day and night asking for them to confirm it and they probably figured they're stuck with a monkey for good. *grin* We think she bribed somebody with a lot of catnip.</i> <br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27452687.post-32446426573343248822009-06-08T11:01:00.002+08:002009-06-08T11:21:30.509+08:00Cat Welfare Society at the Singapore Animal Welfare SymposiumLast month, I attended the Singapore Animal Welfare Symposium and reported from the venue LIVE via twitter. Today, friends at Cat Welfare Society got me to write a short 150-word report on the event for the CWS newsletter. Not the final draft as the editor will do some addition but thought I'll share it with everyone. If you're interested in reports of the proceedings, you can find them on <a href="http://twitter.com/leafmonkey">twitter</a>. Alas, the search tag that we have been using for SAWS has been removed. I will eventually get around to archiving them on the blog. Apologies for my tardiness.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Singapore Animal Welfare Symposium 2009</span><br />First Draft By November Tan<br /><br />Co-organized and hosted by NUS Student’s Animal Welfare Group and ACRES, the second Singapore Animal Welfare Symposium was held on 16th May 2009 at NUS. The symposium was open to public and had 2 lively panel discussions on Wild Animals in Entertainment and Domestic Animal Welfare.<br /><br />Cat Welfare Society (CWS) President Ang Li Tin was panelist on the Domestic Animal Welfare session along with Dr Leow Su Hua from Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), Letitia Chang (Action for Singapore Dogs) and Deirdre Moss (SPCA) with N. Sivasothi as moderator. CWS also took the opportunity to share our Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM) program through a surprise presentation by Veron Lau. Despite calls to “make the cat auntie’s dream come true”, AVA plead helplessness. However they reveal that funds for TNRM are readily available as long as town councils are willing to participate. On the subject of cats in HDB flats, there was unfortunately a lack of representation by HDB at the symposium. The organizers promise that HDB will be invited for dialogue at next year’s symposium. <br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0