Singapore is teeming with wildlife, and now even more people can discover our flora and fauna on their own with the opening of a new nature park and a slew of biodiversity-related activities!

On 22 April this year, the National Parks Board (NParks) opened Windsor Nature Park, the sixth park of its kind in Singapore. The then Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Mr Desmond Lee graced the occasion.

Then Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Mr Desmond Lee plants a tree with Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Adviser Mr Chong Kee Hiong during the opening ceremony.

The 75-hectare Windsor Nature Park is a green buffer for the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, offering new trails including the specially curated Hanguana Trail and the Drongo Trail. The Hanguana Trail is lined with rare native plants, such as the endemic Singapore Ginger (Zingiber singapurense) and the Singapore Durian (Durio singaporensis), both of which are named after Singapore. For its part, the Drongo Trail features a sub-canopy walk where you can catch a glimpse of the fauna found below the canopy level, as well as examine the understorey of the regenerating secondary forest.

The Hanguana Trail is home to many native and unique species such as the Singapore Durian (Durio singaporensis) and the native Memali (Leea angulata).

From a height of four metres above ground, you can see the understorey of regenerating secondary forest as well as appreciate flora and fauna such as the Giant Mahang (Macaranga gigantea) and the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus).

Over the course of two years, NParks took steps to sensitively enhance the existing habitats at the park. The forest habitat was enhanced and planted with more than 400 trees and native plants salvaged from the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. A marsh habitat was also created using the natural terrain and is stocked with native plants such as the Spiny Lasia (Lasia spinosa) and the Aquatic Ginger (Alpinia aquatica) to provide an additional wetland habitat for the biodiversity associated with the area.

Windsor Nature Park is now home to 56 out of the 122 dragonfly species found in Singapore, including three species newly recorded here! There are also restored trails and new boardwalks in the park that will allow you to discover other highlights, including freshwater streams.

To experience Singapore’s rich biodiversity for yourself, you can visit Windsor Nature Park (open from 7 am – 7 pm daily) or any of our other parks and gardens.