Six SUSS students rolled up their sleeves and got muddy, planting 35 mangrove saplings at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. This mangrove restoration activity, now a key component of the SUSS Core Course NIE301 Learning with Communities, is part of a long-standing collaboration between the SUSS student group WILDSMarines and NParks’ Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) since 2018.
Held twice a year, these sessions, guided by NParks staff, offer students a unique opportunity to delve into the intricacies of conservation work and understand the significance of protecting our mangroves.
The day commenced with a briefing by Mr Mishak Shunari, a Senior Officer from Sungei Buloh’s Conservation Team. He explained the three types of mangrove saplings that the students would be planting: Bruguiera, Rhizophora, and Avicennia.
Mr Mishak explaining the different types of mangrove saplings to SUSS students
The students then ventured into the muddy terrain under the boardwalk, armed with gloves and planting tools. Under the expert guidance of NParks staff, they carefully planted each sapling.
SUSS students working together to plant mangrove saplings
For some students, this was their first mangrove planting experience. Despite the physical challenges, Nurin Afiqah, a Year 2 Marketing student, shared, “I wanted to experience mangrove planting firsthand. It was a great opportunity to try something new.”
Ms Chia Ming Huei, a Specialist at the College of Interdisciplinary & Experiential Learning, emphasised the importance of such hands-on experiences, “Learning shouldn’t be confined to the classroom. By engaging in practical activities like this, students can better understand the impact of their actions on the environment and their communities. It makes their learning more meaningful and personal.”
The team celebrates a successful planting session
In the coming years, the students may witness the saplings they planted grow into a thriving mangrove forest, supporting local biodiversity.
For students interested in environmental conservation, the NIE301 Learning with Communities Environmental Conservation TG offers a fantastic opportunity to explore wetland ecosystems and contribute to Singapore’s green initiatives.
Follow WILDSMarines (@wildsmarines.suss) on Instagram for updates on future mangrove planting events and other environmental conservation initiatives.