Discovering the Learning Forest at Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore - This morning, my sister and I attended the 9:00am NParks Learning Forest guided tour at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. It was a beautiful way to spend a Sunday morning, surrounded by nature and learning about Singapore's rich biodiversity.

When we arrived, it was immediately obvious that the tour was popular. There were many participants, so the organisers divided everyone into four separate groups to make the experience more manageable. My sister and I were assigned to Group 4.

The tour was led by two enthusiastic student volunteers from National Junior College (NJC). Despite their young age, they were knowledgeable and passionate about sharing information on the various trees, plants, and ecological features found within the Learning Forest. However, what made our group's experience particularly memorable was the presence of a senior volunteer named Mr Goh.

Mr Goh joined our group with a trolley bag that appeared rather heavy. We soon discovered why. As the young volunteers explained the different trees and landscapes along the route, Mr Goh would occasionally chime in with additional information gathered from years of personal study and field experience. His enthusiasm was infectious, and his vast knowledge greatly enriched the tour.

What impressed us most was that he had brought along actual samples of wood, seeds, pods, and other plant materials in his trolley. Whenever a particular tree or plant was discussed, he would carefully take out samples and pass them around for participants to examine. Seeing and touching the real specimens made the learning experience much more engaging and memorable.

During the walk, we were introduced to several fascinating trees and plants. One of them was the Permis tree, an important native species found in Singapore's forests. We also learned about the Simpoh Air, known in Hokkien as "Te-Bak-Heok" or "Pork Leaf." The large leaves of this plant were traditionally used to wrap food, and the nickname comes from pork sellers using this broad leaves to wrapped pork with and sell to customers.

Another interesting species was the Agarwood tree. Highly valued for its fragrant resin, agarwood has been prized for centuries and is used in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine. Learning about its ecological and commercial significance gave us a greater appreciation of Singapore's efforts to conserve such species.

As we continued our journey through the lush greenery, dark clouds began to gather overhead. Before long, a heavy tropical downpour arrived. Fortunately, the Learning Forest is well-equipped with shelters, and our group quickly took refuge. Rather than dampening spirits, the rain created a refreshing atmosphere. Watching the rain fall among the trees while listening to discussions about plants and wildlife added a unique charm to the experience.

The tour highlighted not only the beauty of Botanical Garden's natural heritage but also the dedication of volunteers like the NJC students and Mr Goh. Their passion for conservation and education was truly inspiring.

By the end of the morning, my sister and I left with a deeper appreciation of the trees, plants, and ecosystems that surround us. The Learning Forest is more than just a beautiful green space—it is a living classroom where nature comes alive through the stories and knowledge shared by passionate volunteers.