How can we make Ubin's mangroves more appealing?

Everyone’s opinion matters to the R.U.M. team as we want to make mangroves more accessible for all after the restoration work is done. Thus, to find out what people’s current perceptions of mangroves are and how we can help to introduce mangroves to everyone, R.U.M. also conducted a short online survey to aid in designing the restoration work.

Participants of a recent R.U.M. workshop
filling up the online survey. Thank YOU!

As of the time of writing, there were 103 responses, however the survey is still open to all. So please do share your feedback and views https://tinyurl.com/restoremangroves

Here’s what we’ve found out so far:

What do the villagers think of Restoring Ubin’s Mangroves?

To the R.U.M. team, it is vital to consider villagers’ views in designing mangrove restoration on Pulau Ubin. The villagers have intimate knowledge of mangroves and know what it was like in the past when mangroves were abundant. We want to gather their thoughts and ideas so these could be incorporated in the restoration project.

Mr Tiong (a fish farm owner on Ubin) who kindly let us interview him.

To find these out, Tessa Liu, R.U.M intern, interviewed Ubin villagers in December with the help of R.U.M volunteer Jared Moore (who is also a Master’s student with NUS Geography). They are grateful to Phillip Lim of Sea Angels and Mr Yong for introductions to villagers, and Sia Wanrong for introductions to the fishermen.

Focused on the oil spill in February

In February, the Restore Ubin Mangrove (R.U.M.) Initiative joined hands with NParks to work on a community effort for long-term monitoring of Ubin mangroves following the 300-tonne oil spill in the East Johor Strait in January 2017.

Phillip Lim organised a boat survey of the entire Pulau Ubin coastline, while Prof Dan Friess shared advice on how we can  monitor the impact on mangroves. Sea Angel volunteers and Rachel continue to document and check on oil spill impacts. The February R.U.M. walk was fabulous!

RUMblers and the January oil spill at Ubin mangroves

The Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative volunteers were heartbroken when a 300-tonne oil spill affected the mangroves of Pulau Ubin on 4 Jan 2017.

Led by Phillip Lim, volunteers did many kayak surveys of oil impact on the Heart of Ubin Mangroves. While more volunteers checked on other sites. Following the oil spill, there was a large turnout of volunteers to help with Ubin mangrove outreach! Field orientation was organised for them in January. In the months ahead, volunteers will continue to support NParks' long-term monitoring of the oil spill impact.

December RUMbles: kayak surveys, cleanup, walks and more!

The Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative volunteers had a very busy year end.

Record turnout for the R.U.M. walk!
Photo by Tammy Wong.

With a kayak survey of mangrove Mother Trees, a mangrove clean up, a sold-out tour, and sharing about Ubin with the Straits Times too!

Awesome October RUMbles

Another busy month for the RUMblers! Earlier in the month, R.U.M. volunteers conducted the first flora surveys.

Photo by Ria Tan

Meanwhile, R.U.M. Researchers have been furiously mapping the restoration sites. While volunteers have been helping out with mapping and sharing with the public about R.U.M.

Mangrove flora surveys with R.U.M. volunteers

Come volunteer with R.U.M.! Help us with surveys, coastal clean ups, fun walks and more! Register online.

RUMblers surveying the mangroves.
Photo by Mohammad Juhari.

Last weekend, awesome RUMblers (as R.U.M. volunteers are called) completed our first mangrove flora surveys!

Super September RUMbles

It has been a very busy month for R.U.M.! In addition to daily mapping surveys, the Researchers did an exhaustive (and exhausting) GPS survey.

The awesome volunteers at the Mangrove Flora ID workshop.
Photo by Mohammad Juhari

We also had our very first mangrove workshop with enthusiastic volunteers to learn about mangrove flora ID. And Rachel Quek has started filming R.U.M. for the Singapore Eco Film Festival, where the RUMblers hope to have a booth as well! Thanks to Phillip Lim and Ah Yong, the R.U.M. posters in three languages are now up at Pulau Ubin Town.

RUMbles with students, science and lanterns!

Lots of RUM happenings as scientific mapping work begins in earnest!

Dan and his students at an RUM site
learning about Ecological Mangrove Restoration.
Photo by Stephen Beng.

Outreach for mangroves continues with Prof Dan Friess bringing another class to Ubin to learn about Ecological Mangrove Restoration and the Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative. We also had a special edition of the monthly FREE mangrove walk, with lanterns at sunset!

Celebrating National Day with RUM

During National Day week, a fabulous group of visitors explored Ubin mangroves with the Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative!

This is the second free mangrove walk by the RUMblers, and we hope to do this monthly. Other exciting developments: we did our first mangrove mapping, and pamphlets explaining RUM in three languages have been created!

RUMbles in Jan-Apr 2016

The RUM project proposal received formal approval in Jan 2016! Thanks to support from many friends at Ubin NParks.

A great excuse to meet up on 16 Jan to plan our next steps.  We can't wait to start!

January 2015 RUMbles

The highlight in January was the opportunity for R.U.M Initiative members to meet with NParks to learn more about NPark's great work in mangrove restoration on Pulau Ubin.

R.U.M Initiative members and friends also continued to survey abandoned aquaculture ponds in January. Including an exciting night kayaking survey.

December 2014 RUMbles

What is the state of the abandoned aquaculture ponds in southern Pulau Ubin? What plants and animals are found there? How are these areas currently used by people?

R.U.M Initiative members and friends made some surveys in December to find out.