About Nature Society (Singapore)

What is the Nature Society (Singapore)?

The Nature Society (Singapore) or NSS is a non-government, non-profit organisation dedicated to the appreciation, conservation, study and enjoyment of the natural heritage in Singapore, Malaysia and the surrounding region. It is a registered society in Singapore under the Societies Act, Cap. 311. 

The Society is an approved charity under the Charities Act, Cap.37 since 19 Feb 2008 and has been accorded the status of an Institution of Public Character (IPC) since 1st September 2008.

Its Unique Entity No. (UEN) is S61SS0142H and its registered address is 510 Geylang Road, #02-05, The Sunflower, Singapore 389466.

It was formerly known as the Singapore branch of the Malayan Nature Society. The branch was formed in 1954 and became Nature Society (Singapore) in 1991.

Run by volunteers (directory), the Society depends financially on contributions from its members as well as companies, institutions and individuals.

Our Mission

  • To promote nature awareness and nature appreciation
  • To advocate conservation of the natural environment in Singapore
  • To forge participation and collaboration in local, regional and international efforts in preserving Earth's biodiversity

What We Do:

  • Organise nature appreciation activities like guided nature walks, bird and butterfly watching, slide talks and overseas eco-trips.
  • Conduct conservation projects and surveys.
  • Collaborate with schools and community groups to promote nature appreciation and education.
  • Campaign for the protection of natural habitats.

What We Have Achieved:

  • The preservation of the priceless historic zoological reference collection now held at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum - late 1970s
  • Singapore's accession to the International Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - late 1986
  • Government's creation of the Sungei Buloh Nature Park for wetlands and migratory bird protection in 1993, following NSS' own Proposal for a Nature Conservation Area at Sungei Buloh of 1988; Successfully persuaded the Government to set aside Sungei Buloh as a mangrove and bird sanctuary. This site is now legally protected and known as Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve.
  • Relocated coral reefs in 1991 and 1993 - 95, which were threatened by land reclamation.
  • The initiation of government's now institutionalised Green Plan in 1992, setting aside five per cent of Singapore's total area for nature conservation, following NSS's 1990 "Master Plan for the Conservation of Nature in Singapore" publication.
  • The prevention of excision of nature reserve land at Lower Peirce Reservoir for a 18-hole golf course proposed by the Public Utilities Board (PUB), following NSS' own Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the proposal - 1992
  • Modification of the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists' Association's (SAFRA) golf course design at Kranji Marshes freshwater wetland - 2001
  • The retrieval of the Chek Jawa mudflats on offshore island Pulau Ubin from proposed reclamation and their establishment as a protected nature spot, following a joint-action public campaign - 2001
  • Part of the Marine Roundtable responsible for the publishing of the Singapore Blue Plan in 2008. Successes from the publication include the acceptance of the recommendation for carrying out of a comprehensive marine biodiversity survey (in 2010) and the conservation of Sisters' Island as a marine park (announced in 2014).
  • Adopted Kranji Marshes under PUB's ABC Waters program in 2008 and successfully restored the area into a freshwater habitat to support freshwater birds and other associated wildlife. The area was designated a Nature Park in 2014.
  • The creation of the Butterfly Trail@Orchard, a route of hotspots for butterflies to visit spanning from Singapore Botanic Gardens to Fort Canning Park in 2010. This has gone on to form the foundation of the upcoming greening of Orchard Road announced in Feb 2020.
  • The successful advocacy of the Green-Rail Corridor since 2011 to be kept as a biodiversity connector and as a public space. Integrated into government's development planning. The Green Corridor has since become incorporated into the Coast-to-Coast Trail and will continue to be incorporated into future plans.
  • Successfully convincing the international delegates at the 2012 International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Congress of the need to set up a Specialist Group focusing on horseshoe crabs.
  • Successfully organised and executed the National Bird of Singapore (i.e. Crimson Sunbird) in 2002 and National Butterfly of Singapore (i.e. Common Rose) campaigns in 2015.
  • Successfully convinced authorities to integrate nature spaces at Bidadari into town planning to support bird migration in 2018.
  • Successfully campaigned for the protection of the Mandai Mangroves and Mudflats. Part of the list of 5 star sites for conservation recommended in NSS's1990 "Master Plan for the Conservation of Nature in Singapore" publication; announced in 2018 to be a Nature Park in 2022.
  • Heavily involved in shaping the Amendments to the Wild Animals and Birds Act in 2020 for greater protection of wildlife in Singapore. Our foundational document titled Reforming the Wild Animals and Birds Act (WABA) can be found here.

 

       Awards


      Society Awards

  • Charity Transparency Award 2016 - 2019.
      Note:
      - Watch the video for the Charity Governance Award 2016 here.
      - NSS has won the award every year since its inception

  • Charity Governance Award 2016 
      Note: Charities that are awarded can only qualify for the award again after 3 years.

  • SeaKeeper Award 2017

 

      Individual Awards


  • President's Award for the Environment 2005 to NSS Patron Prof. Tommy Koh & NSS President, Dr. Geh Min.

  • Outstanding Advocate of Our Time Award to NSS Vice President, Dr. Ho Hua Chew, in 2016.

  • President's Award for the Environment 2017 to NSS President, Dr. Shawn Lum.

    Support Our Work

    • Be a member of Nature Society (Singapore), click here.
    • Donate to our cause, click here.
    • Be a volunteer with Nature Society (Singapore), write to Mr. Kerry Pereira at kerry@nss.org.sg.

    Join Our Team

    Interested in a rewarding and meaningful career? Join us as a staff or intern. Click here for the list of positions.