Oct 24, 2011

2012 TeamSeagrass dates now open for sign up!

Ready for more seagrassy adventures? We're heading into Year Five of seagrass monitoring!
TeamSeagrass at Semakau May 07
In the coming year, all trips will be on weekends or public holidays! Hurray! The number of trips have been cut down to three times a year per site. But we will continue to do all three main sites: Pulau Semakau, Chek Jawa and Cyrene Reef.

What are some of the recent outcomes from TeamSeagrass?
Having just completed consistent monitoring for four years, TeamSeagrass work provides good baseline data especially for three important Singapore marine sites: Chek Jawa, Pulau Semakau and Cyrene Reef. This data, publicly posted on the Seagrass-Watch site, allows seagrass workers in Singapore and around the world, a basis for management and further study of Singapore's shores.

Thank you for four fabulous years!
I managed to stay sane doing TeamSeagrass only with the support of Wei Ling and Shufen at National Biodiversity Centre, NParks and Siti now at NUS. As well as the small group of regular and long-time volunteers without whom it would be impossible to take on new volunteers. These stalwarts patiently teach the new ones and keep everything going smoothly during a field trip. Thank you!

Special thanks also to Sheryl of Merck for keeping the Tuas monitoring going on through all these years with volunteers from Merck

And not forgetting Len and Rudi at Seagrass-Watch for their constant advice and encouragement.

Looking ahead...
Wei Ling and Shufen are moving on to bigger things within NParks but stay on in the Team and will continue to join us on our trips. Rachel takes over to look after TeamSeagrass on behalf of the National Biodiversity Centre. Siti remains the Science Lead for TeamSeagrass for the time being. Hurray!

While it would have been possible to monitor Singapore's seagrasses with a small team, from the beginning, it was decided to establish a volunteer base through TeamSeagrass. The aim is to provide a wider range of  ordinary people the opportunity to make a difference for Singapore's marine biodiversity and see first hand, some of Singapore's best shores.

It takes effort to keep the Team going! Many thanks to the many people who make this possible!

Monitoring dates for 2012 are listed here. Our first monitoring is on 8 Jan at Chek Jawa, what a great way to start the New Year!

Those already on the team can sign up for these dates on the teamseagrass yahoo group.

Not yet a member?
To join the team, simply send the following details
(a) your full name
(b) your age
(c) your email address
(d) your contact number
(e) any previous experience
to Ria at hello@wildsingapore.com, please put "TeamSeagrass" in your subject header.



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