Photo by Mohammad Juhari. |
As usual, thanks to Uncle Lim for allowing us to gather at his shop at no. 42 Pulau Ubin for the walk. It was lovely to meet on the walk, Thomas from Edible Gardens, the Little Green Men and many others passionate about mangroves and Pulau Ubin. Thank you for coming!
Photo by Mohammad Juhari. |
Photo by Mohammad Juhari. |
Photo by Mohammad Juhari. |
Photos thanks to Mohammad Juhari and Little Green Men. |
Before we could go on, the heavens opened up and we hurried to the Assembly Area to wait for the weather to pass. To avoid lightning, falling branches and other dangers. About half an hour later, the visitors bravely headed out as the rain eased. The huge puddles all over the trail didn't stop us!
Fangning took this great opportunity to share how mangroves help to filter out muddy water that runs off the land whenever it rains. The tangle of roots slows down the flow, allowing the sediments to settle, so that clear water flows out to the nearby ecosystems like seagrass meadows and coral reefs.
Fangning also shared about mangrove propagules. They are tough, they are abundant and they will grow rapidly if the ground conditions are suitable: correct elevation, tidal conditions. R.U.M. hopes to let Mother Nature do the planting by creating such ground conditions at Ubin's abandoned aquaculture ponds.
We stopped for a while at the beach at Sungei Ubin. Where Phillip shared about fish farming and how farmers depend on mangroves to provide good water quality for their fish.
We are so fortunate to have Heire, who lives on Ubin, to share about life on Ubin and the social and cultural role of mangroves among the Ubin villagers.
Photo by Mohammad Juhari. |
It has amazing winged seeds. Phillip says the seeds look like a phoenix!
Just before we end the walk, Phillip highlighted an old oven (said to be used to bake french bread) that has since been overgrown by a strangling fig.
After the walk, Rachel and Lenney filmed Xiao Ting and me, for Ubin, Sayang a National Geographic film about R.U.M. Se Em was also at the walk to take photos.
It started to drizzle quite persistently after we started shooting, and poor Xiao Ting was all wet by the end of the session. I take my hat off to the intrepid film team for this great work they are doing!
As I arrived, from Ubin Jetty, I saw a fisherman laying a fishing net.
The Changi Creek jetty used by fish farmers and Ubin villagers was very busy.
More photos of the walk by Mohammad Juhari, Part 1 and Part 2. And Liz Lim.
Check up the R.U.M. facebook page for updates on the R.U.M. free monthly mangrove walks.
R.U.M. volunteers also help out with mangrove cleanups, mangrove surveys, mangrove outreach and lots more!
Here's more details on volunteer opportunities with RUM, requirements and how to register.