West Coast Park Rejuvenation

A community gardening project

Enhancing environmental awareness through projects with appointed partners is a key thrust of Shell’s community activities because we believe in tackling environmental issues so that we can preserve our natural environment for future generations.

On 19 April 2008, a successful partnership between Shell staff and contractors, National Parks Board (NParks), nature enthusiasts and neighbours in the South West district was celebrated in conjunction with Earth Day, which fell on 22 April 2008. All partners in this project will work together with Commonwealth Secondary School to rejuvenate a one-hectare Marsh Garden mangrove habitat at West Coast Park with 200 new saplings planted in phases, ultimately to increase biodiversity around the West Coast neighbourhood.

 

Mr Pieter Eijsberg presenting the $10,000 cheque

Shell is fully funding the improvements while Shell staff and contractors lend their hands to work with the students from Commonwealth Secondary School to monitor the saplings planted and create an ideal environment that will attract interesting wildlife.  As part of this rejuvenation project, new signboards and plant tags will be installed along the existing boardwalk. This will enable visitors to better appreciate the rich biodiversity of the Marsh Garden while NParks will set up a training programme for the volunteers to increase their expertise in areas such as wildlife management and environment management. They will also be taught how to conduct guided walks at the nature areas of West Coast Park. 

 

Shell employees, family and NParks staff pose for a picture with Dr Amy Khor

This community effort to support biodiversity and conservation of the local environment will eventually allow visitors to the site at West Coast Park to see more insects and wildlife thriving at the regenerated habitat. It is currently home to 15 species of birds and 10 species of plants.