Gardening with Wilson

Clean and Green Singapore (CGS) returns to HortPark from 30 Oct 2009 to 1 Nov 2009. In line with the CGS theme of encouraging everyone in Singapore to adopt a clean and green lifestyle, National Parks Board (NParks) is launching the ‘Know 10 Trees’ movement for more people to learn about 10 common trees in Singapore and to better appreciate the tall green giants that clean the air and beautify our island.

The 10 trees selected to be featured in the movement are trees that are commonly found in Singapore, with distinctive features that would be easily recognized. Apart from learning about the journey to a clean and green Singapore at the main CGS site, visitors will be able to view a ‘Know 10 Trees’ exhibition at the HortPark Gallery, get free calendars on the 10 trees, vote for their favorite tree, and stand to win attractive prizes such as IPods, shopping vouchers, and book hampers.

A total of 5,000 ‘Know 10 Trees’ calendars will be given out from 5pm to 9pm on 30 October, and 9.30am to 9pm on 31 October and 1 November. Online voting and lucky draw starts from today to 10 November 2009 at www.nparks.gov.sg/vote10trees.

As part of the “Know 10 Trees movement”, a series of activities has been planned throughout 2010 to engage the public and reach out to people of all ages. Some of these include a tree-themed online video contest, match leaf/fruit to tree contest, guess the most common tree contest, and Heritage Tree guided walks. NParks is also working with SingPost on a stamp series to feature the 10 trees. This is likely to be launched next year or in early 2011.

On the objective of ‘Know 10 Trees’ movement, Dr. Leong Chee Chiew, Deputy CEO (Professional Development and Services Cluster), said: “Trees are a significant feature of our City in a Garden, and play an important role in making Singapore a distinctive and endearing city to live, work and play in. They line our roads beautifully, soften harsh landscapes, provide shade, reduce the ambient temperature, and clean our air. Through the ‘Know 10 Trees’ series of activities, we wish to share the importance of trees in our environment, and hope that people of all ages will come to appreciate and develop an affinity with the trees around us.”