Nature guiding workshop with Republic Poly (Sep 2026)

For the first time in 10 years, I am starting nature guiding workshops again. Because our Mother Shores needs guides to bring more people to see her and her babies on the mainland! 

Thanks to Republic Poly for hosting the first one. And the more than 30 students and friends of the Poly who made time to attend! Special thanks for the awesome turnout by youth advocates and survey team members to support as facilitators. And everyone for contributing ideas and good humour to make it a fun workshop.

I hope to do more workshops soon, and meet more people who love our shores!
The workshop is for anyone who always wanted to be a nature guide. And those who find nature guiding too stressful and want to learn how to have fun guiding. With hands-on activities to brainstorm solutions to everyone's deepest nature guiding worries. We were privileged to receive sharing from many experienced guides and advocates like Lester Tan, Chair of Marine Conservation NSS.

As usual the highlight of the workshop was the role play. As we tackled some scenarios that gave us the most stress, to figure out approaches so we could defuse difficult situations and ensure everyone has fun, especially the guide! 

The best part of the programme for me was to hear from all the leading youth groups, who not only sent representatives to help facilitate at the workshop Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity. But also to share about their work: Ichthyological Society of Singapore, Bird Society of Singapore, Earthlink NTU, BES Drongos, ENSING (Entomology Network of Singapore). I am so inspired by their dedication and great advocacy for nature and our shores. The networking session after the workshop was very lively as everyone chatted to get to know more.

The next day, we tested our approaches at Admiralty Park. So glad to hear charming stories prepared by the participants, from the importance of dragonflies, and how to introduce the walk using info boards. Using our smart phones to show tiny things (like cicadas) to other participants, or learning more about plants that we don't know. Thanks to facilitators for sharing their knowledge and giving tips on how to help participants 'touch grass'.

Thanks to sharp eyes and ears, we saw lots of birds, bugs, spiders. Also monkeys and the herpers in the team found a snake! Here is Richard's great photo of it.

Special thanks to Jason (and Joy) for making this happen. Jason started the Marine Science Interest Group when he was in RP as a student. So wonderful to know that the Interest Group remains active when he is back now as a teacher! Here Jason is at the field session taking half of the participants. What a great turn out and we hope to see the participants soon, on a shore to share about our Mother Shores and how they keep all our shores alive.

This session was extra special for me. As usual, I prepared little stuffies for everyone to take home. For the first time though, I got some really special gifts in return. From Jia Xuan from the the Conservation Interest Group, an amazing anatomically-correct hand-made Long-horned cowfish, complete with transparent fins. I am in awe! And a very touching letter from Nadya Ganwani, Vice-President of the Conservation Interest Group at Republic Polytechnic. I will treasure these forever. 

Our shores are in good hands with such inspiring youths looking after them. Thank you everyone and see you on the shores!

I hope to do more workshops soon, and meet more people who want to make a difference for our shores!