All Quarries (Full Land)

Contributed by Kaixiang on Workplace in 2019

Dania Syazana (NYC) and I decided to bind challenge and learnings from nature together. And oh happy days, we’re in charge of our team AOR for land expedition (EE), so why not kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

This week's full land expedition framing was named Project Change. Not much props used, purely through sharing, writing, appreciating and witnessing nature itself.

Our participants were chosen to be part of a project for NParks to hear what 15 year old users of Pulau Ubin thought of the place. The main focus was to visit all the quarries which had historical significance to the island. In the end, we visited all 6 quarries (Kekek, Ubin, Pekan, Balai, Petai, Ketam) and Chek Jawa. We camped at Mamam Campsite.

They presented their suggestions on what to change and what not to change on Day 4 night.

Learnings:

1. Neither of us had visited Balai before. We found Balai to be easily accessible. The trail is wide and you get to pass a good viewpoint of East Nenas en route. However, once you reach Balai the view is limited due to the thick vegetation. There's a spot with an opening in the fence (see photos)

2. Participants had a better appreciation of Ubin's environment and were able to make a self directed conclusion on what they felt should change and what not to change.

3. Linking up with the component of what they know about nature (eco-literacy) and what they can do to conserve nature (environmental stewardship) to cover the full land expedition to aid them in the presentation for Project Change.

Example:

- sharing of what they know about P. Ubin and its history

- how quarries are formed

- understand how our actions impact the natural environment

- how nature (over time) can overcome the impact of humans

- seeing flora & fauna

4. Summary of students' suggestions to change:

a) improve conditions of toilets

b) improve the trails with more facilities

c) include more information/signages about the environment

Also, prior to heading out for our land expedition on the 17 July, Wednesday, we got our participants to be up early to catch a glimpse of the partial eclipse but there were clouds so it wasn't that clear. It was like a mini solo session for them to embrace the moment, observe silence and just appreciate the phenomenon by the breakwater. We introduced the moon as a natural symbol of change.

Catch up with any of us if you wanna know more about the framing  Thank you for your time.

"Be thankful for your life, spend time in nature, breathe deeply, let go of your worries, forgive yourself and others, and build your life around what you love." — Unknown