5 things to do to celebrate World Wetlands Day in Singapore

Southeast Asia harbours over a third of the world’s mangrove forests yet faces the fastest loss rates due to aquaculture, oil palm expansion, and urban development. As these crucial ecosystems disappear, so do their vital contributions to biodiversity, climate resilience, and carbon sequestration. 

With World Wetlands Day in February, we round up five activities to learn more about the mangrove forests around the island and spotlight four changemakers leading the way in mangrove conservation through research, citizen science, education, policy advocacy, and innovative restoration efforts.

What to do

1. Go on a mangrove ramble with The Untamed Paths

At The Untamed Paths, they’re all about nurturing the curious wildlife naturalist within you. On immersive walks through Pasir Ris Park and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, keen-eyed explorers can spot fascinating critters like mudskippers, tree-climbing crabs, and the elusive shore pit viper. These tours spotlight the vital lifelines mangroves provide — fortifying coasts, absorbing carbon, and hosting a rich tapestry of biodiversity. 

The team has noticed a steady stream of nature lovers, families, and schools eager to connect with these ecosystems. “Many leave with a newfound respect for mangroves — not just as ‘swampy areas’, but as vibrant habitats brimming with life.

For Singaporeans, they are often surprised by the bountiful wildlife we have just right at home,” says Noelle Ong, an ecologist and guide.

2. Embrace slow-fashion pieces dyed from mangrove bark 

Ombre browns and deep, rich mocha — these earthy hues are extracted from mangrove bark sourced locally and infused into handcrafted creations like dyer aprons, linen journals, and boho bags.

Malaysian brand Muni celebrates the beauty of plant-based dyes, crafting unique products that pay homage to traditional artistry and the environment. You can find their stunning, sustainable pieces in boutique stores across Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Singapore.

3. Glide through mangroves on an otherworldly kayak tour

Kayak Fishing Fever offers Singapore’s only glow kayak tour along the Api Api River in Pasir Ris Park. This unique night paddling experience features kayaks illuminated by customisable LED lights for a surreal touch.

The Api Api River, one of Singapore’s lesser-known mangrove waterways, comes alive at night with sights and sounds of wildlife like bats, owls, and darting fish. Suitable for all ages, this unique kayaking experience offers an intimate way to connect with one of Singapore’s most biodiverse habitats.

4. Visit Singapore’s rich wetlands on your own

The National Parks Board and OCBC Bank have unveiled plans to bring new life to Sungei Durian on Pulau Ubin with the OCBC Mangrove Park. Slated for completion by 2026, it will be Singapore’s first large-scale project using the Ecological Mangrove Restoration method to restore habitats and boost carbon storage. Once established, these 9,000 trees could absorb up to 30 million kg of carbon dioxide.

Another opening progressively from 2028 is the 72.8-ha Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park, located 3km east of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Slated to be one of Singapore’s richest wetlands, it will feature panoramic viewing nodes, coastal trails, and bird hides.

It allows visitors to observe migratory birds like common greenshanks and Pacific golden plovers undisturbed. 

In the meantime, visit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to look out for migratory birds and resident animals such as monitor lizards and smooth-coated otters.

5. Volunteer for mangrove advocacy with N. Sivasothi

As an undergraduate, N. Sivasothi (also known as Otterman) worked with zoologist D.H. Murphy, mapping mangroves and marvelling at their wonders. This sparked his lifelong passion for mangrove conservation, further fueled by the trash-laden Buloh-Kranji mangroves. Over 20 years, mangrove cleanups would remove over 20 tonnes of trash.

Now a senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore, Sivasothi has mobilised over 800 young volunteers since 2020 to plant and maintain 2,000 coastal forest saplings in the Sungei Buloh Nature Park Network with NParks, catalysed by Singapore’s One Million Trees movement.

Through NUS Toddycats, he leads mangrove cleanups, public education, and capacity-building events, fostering human-nature connections, which he calls “therapy for the soul”. Sivasothi believes youth are key to preserving these vital ecosystems for future generations.

Keep an eye on

1. Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Mangrove Conservatory

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will establish a Mangrove Conservatory in the JTC’s Punggol Digital District and be accessible to the public exploring the Punggol Heritage Trail. Set to be completed in December 2025, the conservatory will work as a testbed for SIT staff and students to preserve biodiversity by preserving a wide range of genetically diverse mangrove species, reintroducing lost species like Brownlowia argentata (a plant that grows in mangroves and is classified as extinct in Singapore).

It also plans to extend mangrove research and development to ecological restoration projects on Coney Island and Pulau Ubin. 

Future SIT students will gain hands-on learning opportunities, from studying the effect of sea-level rise on structures to conducting carbon accounting and climate resilience research. With public displays and community programs, the conservatory aims to foster awareness and inspire stewardship of mangrove ecosystems in Singapore and beyond.

2. International Blue Carbon Institute

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The International Blue Carbon Institute (IBCI), launched at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) by Amazon and Conservation International, will focus on restoring blue carbon ecosystems in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Based in Singapore, the institute will serve as a hub for knowledge, capacity-building, and developing standards for blue carbon projects.

By partnering with governments, NGOs, and the private sector, the IBCI aims to integrate blue carbon into climate policies and enhance resilience against climate change impacts, particularly for vulnerable coastal communities.

3. Earth Security’s M40 Mangrove Programme

Innovation firm Earth Security’s M40 Mangrove Initiative is creating new models for private sector finance and philanthropy to collaborate on protecting the world’s mangroves for biodiversity, local economies, and net-zero goals.

A flagship pilot at Taman Wisata Alam Angke Kapuk (TWAAK) in North Jakarta exemplifies Earth Security’s approach. Once degraded and abandoned to fish farming, the restored 100-ha mangrove site in the heart of Jakarta’s urban areas is now a vibrant eco-tourism destination, drawing thousands annually with outdoor activities, walking trails, and ecolodges.

As one of the last green mangrove havens in Jakarta’s urban sprawl, it not only supports over 200 native plant and animal species, creating jobs in conservation and hospitality but also protects Jakarta’s residential areas from climate impacts.

The M40 Initiative showcases how innovative financing and working with companies, investors, and governments can drive nature-based solutions for a resilient future by connecting catalytic philanthropy to high-impact projects like TWAAK.

Earth Security is using these lessons learned to design a global investment platform that can accelerate and replicate investment impacts across the worldwide mangrove belt. 

4. Global Mangrove Trust (GMT)

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Global Mangrove Trust was born from a pivotal moment in Myanmar’s Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park, where co-founders Ryan Merrill and Simon Schillebeeckx, initially tasked with drafting environmental strategies for Harvard Business School, found a more profound calling.

As they wandered through the sprawling mangroves, a moment of stillness made them realise that true environmental impact lies in the earth’s living systems, not just in complex climate debates and high-tech solutions. 

The Singapore-based non-profit is committed to preserving and regenerating mangroves worldwide and is supported by a diverse team of innovators, educators, and environmentalists. Their Sumatra project, 001-OxC, aims to conserve one of the last remaining contiguous mangrove ecosystems in North Sumatra, a region of severe deforestation and involve local communities in sustainable reforestation.