THE GUY HELPING US THE GUY GAIVPINPGRUESCLO IA CATLEPOPCORN FLAVOURS ZAC CHU AS, IF NO GUN ADPE OR, R TE HE' S KETTLE GOURMET BIODIVERSITY: IVAN KWAN, 36, FOUNDER, NATURE ADVENTURES SG

T his conservationist is the go-to guy if you want to learn more about Singapore’s surprising biodiversity. Because of his deep love of wildlife and nature, he started his company to promote Singapore’s natural heritage, with workshops and courses to educate the public and acquaint people with native plants and animals. Nature Adventures SG organises guided walks on which attendees explore a wide range of habitats, including seashores at low tides, for two to four hours (about $100 an hour for groups of 10 to 20; book at https:// natureadventures.sg).

“Many here in Singapore don’t realise this, but we need healthy, functioning ecosystems. They supply us with oxygen, help to clean and filter our water, and protect our coastlines from erosion,” explains Ivan.

What most people also may not know is that our forests actually contain endemic species, plants and animals known to occur only here in Singapore and nowhere else in the world.

With great awareness comes great action, hopefully. Ivan, a former conservation projects manager at the National Parks Board, hopes that the knowledge passed on will prompt people to promote conservation and sustainability in their own ways.

“You can volunteer with the National Parks Board; support non-government organisations like the Nature Society or Acres as a volunteer or donor; or help to organise coastal clean-ups. Personal lifestyle changes, such as reducing the amount of single-use plastics or making an effort to purchase sustainable seafood, can also help.”