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Nature Conservation Talk & Film Screening by Cicada Tree Eco-Place

on 17th May 2017

For Hwa Chong Institution (College)’s annual Clean & Green Week, Ms Teresa Teo Guttensohn, co-founder of Cicada Tree Eco-Place, visited the school to give a sharing about environmental and nature conservation. The 40 minute talk was centred around the biodiversity present in Singapore and the various threats that it faces.

19 Apr 2017 – Ms Teresa Teo Guttensohn from Cicada Tree Eco-Place addressing close to 900 JC2 students in Hwa Chong Institution (College) on nature conservation.
19 Apr 2017 – Ms Teresa Teo Guttensohn from Cicada Tree Eco-Place addressing close to 900 JC2 students in Hwa Chong Institution (College) on nature conservation.
19 Apr 2017 – Ms Teresa Teo Guttensohn from Cicada Tree Eco-Place addressing close to 900 JC2 students in Hwa Chong Institution (College) on nature conservation.
19 Apr 2017 – Ms Teresa Teo Guttensohn from Cicada Tree Eco-Place addressing close to 900 JC2 students in Hwa Chong Institution (College) on nature conservation.

During the sharing, Ms Guttensohn provided extensive information about the variety of flora and fauna that Singapore houses today. A short film co-produced by Ms Guttensohn, an eco-artist, was also screened. ‘Unseen Undergrowth’, a local conservation film which captured the multitude of organisms that grow and thrive in MacRitchie Rainforest, was a crowd pleaser.


“Unseen Undergrowth: MacRitchie Rainforest Singapore”, a conservation short film co-produced by Kwan Hun and Teresa Teo Guttensohn (2016, Singapore).

The film provided an insight into the sheer number of species that the MacRitchie Rainforest houses – the weaver ants, flatworms and fungus beetles were only some of the organisms featured in the film.

Still from “Unseen Undergrowth” – colourful paper-thin nymph. Footage by Kwan Hun.
Still from “Unseen Undergrowth” – colourful paper-thin nymph. Footage by Kwan Hun.
Stills from “Unseen Undergrowth” - scenes of colourful paper-thin nymph, and symbiotic relationship between weaver ant and caterpillar. Footage by Kwan Hun.
Stills from “Unseen Undergrowth” – scenes of colourful paper-thin nymph, and symbiotic relationship between weaver ant and caterpillar. Footage by Kwan Hun.

The informative sharing also educated students about the extent of the environmental impact that the construction of the Cross Island MRT Line (CRL) may bring about. In addition to sharing about the harmful repercussions that may result from such development works on the regrowth and primary forest patches in the MacRitchie Rainforest, Ms Guttensohn also talked about how such an unfortunate situation could be avoided – by having the CRL go around the nature reserve instead.

Still from “Unseen Undergrowth”. Script by Teresa Teo Guttensohn, footage by Kwan Hun.
Still from “Unseen Undergrowth”. Script by Teresa Teo Guttensohn, footage by Kwan Hun.
Still from “Unseen Undergrowth”. Script by Teresa Teo Guttensohn, footage by Kwan Hun.
Still from “Unseen Undergrowth”. Script by Teresa Teo Guttensohn, footage by Kwan Hun.

The passionate environmentalist also introduced students to the “Love MacRitchie” website , where they could learn more about the rainforest, as well as the events and activities that various Singapore-based environmental groups provide (such as “Love MacRitchie” Walks by NUS Toddycats and Cicada Tree Eco-Place, which are guided nature walks provided free of charge to members of the public).

Still from “Unseen Undergrowth” featuring the filmmaker, Teresa, on the rainforest floor for “we are a part of the natural world”. Footage by Kwan Hun.
Still from “Unseen Undergrowth” featuring the filmmaker, Teresa, on the rainforest floor for “we are a part of the natural world”. Footage by Kwan Hun.

The sharing conducted by Ms Guttensohn was both educational and informative, as well as captivating, as evidenced by the enthusiastic responses by the members of the audience. As one student put it, the sharing was truly “both interesting and eye-opening”.

19 Apr 2017 – Hwa Chong Institution student audience being captivated by Singapore’s fascinating rainforest wildlife during screening of “Unseen Undergrowth”. Photo by Nicole Han.
19 Apr 2017 – Hwa Chong Institution student audience being captivated by Singapore’s fascinating rainforest wildlife during screening of “Unseen Undergrowth”. Photo by Nicole Han.
19 Apr 2017 – Above article was contributed by Ms Nicole Han from Hwa Chong Institution (College), pictured standing with speaker, Ms Teresa Teo Guttensohn from Cicada Tree Eco-Place.
19 Apr 2017 – Above article was contributed by Ms Nicole Han from Hwa Chong Institution (College), pictured standing with speaker, Ms Teresa Teo Guttensohn from Cicada Tree Eco-Place.

Nicole Han (text/photos), Hwa Chong Institution (College)
Kwan Hun (screen grabs) & Isabelle Wang (photos)
Singapore
15th May 2017

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If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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