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Good Stories Movement

YC Wee
on 14th September 2024

This post documents the Good Stories Movement honouring Nature Society (Singapore) and its members.

From left:  Tony Oposa with Prof. Tommy Koh,  with Minister Desmond Lee and Prof. Lye Lin Heng with Prof. Andrew Simester.

On 29th July 2024 the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL) at the National University of Singapore, hosted an event at Hotel Jen Tanglin. This was to celebrate the Good Stories Movement initiated by Philippines’ top environment activist Tony Oposa (above, in purple shirt). Tony believes that these stories will “inspire and set hearts on friendly fire.”

The event spotlighted Singapore’s stories on the environment cared by individuals, governmental and non-governmental organisations. The present account showcases only the Nature Society (Singapore) and its members. Awards in the form of certificates were presented by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minster-in-Charge of Social Services Integration. Above shows ambassador-at-Large Prof. Tommy Koh (Nature Society’s Patron since 1990) receiving his award and APCEL’s former Director Prof. Lye Lin Heng’s award (Legal Advisor and Vice-President of Nature Society for many years).

The Nature Society was one of two organisations that were awarded, the other being ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education).

Tony Oposa (left) with Prof. Tommy Koh.
Prof. Lye Lin Heng’s certificate. 
Nature Society (Singapore)’s certificate, received by Ms. Huang Ningxin.
Prof. Wee Yeow Chin receiving his award from Minister Desmond Lee.

Prof. Wee Yeow Chin

  • Secretary, Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch) 1978-1990;
  • Founding President, Nature Society (Singapore) 1990-1995;
  • main activist in stopping the building of a golf course in Lower Peirce Catchment forest;
  • and his role in the Bird Ecology Study Group (2005-2019).
Certificate awarded to Richard Hale. Richard Hale was responsible for the establishment of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in 1986.
Certificate awarded to Prof. Ng Soon Chye, President of the Nature Society (Singapore) 1995-1997 and actively involved in Singapore’s hornbill project.
Dr. Geh Min receiving her certificate from Minister Desmond Lee
Certificate awarded to Dr. Geh Min, President of the Nature Society (Singapore) from 2000-2007.
Certificate awarded to Dr. Ho Hua Chew, Chair of Conservation Committee for many years,
responsible for the Masterplan for the Conservation of Nature in Singapore and
also involved in the improvement of the Kranji Marshes as a habitat for birds.
Certificate awarded to Leong Kwok Peng, alternate Chair, was involved in coral relocation work in the 1990s.
Morten Strange receiving his joint award with Ng Bee Choo from Prof. Lye Lin Heng.
  • Morten Strange documented birds of South East Asia and
  • Bee Choo served as International coordinator of the Hornbill Research Foundation and Program Manager of the IUCN SSC Hornbill Specialist Group.

Two things I learnt from this event:

  1. Quality of leadership is more important than how long you serve as leader.
  2. Simple activities like watching birds and ticking checklists are just recreation, unlike documenting bird behaviour or involved in regional or international bird societies.

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.

Other posts by YC Wee

From watching birdwatchers to watching birds

20th July 2024

Bird Society of Singapore: A credible alternative to the Nature Society’s Bird Group

11th December 2023

Singapore-Nature: 17. Citizen Science

30th August 2023

Singapore-Nature: 16. Living close to nature

18th August 2023

Singapore’s secret “garden”

20th July 2023

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Any views and opinions expressed in the articles 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.

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