Living with wildlife – what it means to be a Campus in Nature

What does it mean to co-exist with wildlife in Singapore? How can one respond to increasing human-wildlife conflict, and what can citizens do for biodiversity and wildlife?

Earthlink NTU, the University’s student-led environmental club, held an online “Our Campus in Nature” dialogue session on Monday, 14 March, to discuss these questions and more. This dialogue aims to engage youths and individuals on protecting our natural environment.

Gracing the dialogue was guest-of-honour Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee, who spoke about how the pressures on Singapore’s limited land are very intense. However, the nation carefully balances land development and conservation of green species, and it is heartening to see many students in the NTU community stepping up to take the lead in conservation efforts. 

NTU’s unique location next to the Western Catchment forest makes it home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including rare and endangered species such as the Sunda pangolin, oriental pied hornbill, buffy fish owl, and more.

Other speakers include Dr Shawn Lum, President of the Nature Society (Singapore) & Senior Lecturer at the Asian School of the Environment, NTU; Dr Vilma D’Rozario, Director of Singapore Wildcat Action Group; Prof Kwok Kian Woon, Associate Vice-President (Wellbeing), NTU; and Assoc Prof Valerie Du Toit-Low, Deputy Associate Provost (Residential Education), NTU.

Each speaker drew upon their area of expertise and unique perspective, such as how nature can benefit one’s mental well-being or the potential benefits that reforestation initiatives can bring to NTU.