I have always wanted to see what nature has to offer at night because it’s a whole new world compared to what we usually observe in the day. However, I hadn’t gone around doing it because a) My friends are not keen on exploring in the dark and b) I am not keen on exploring in the dark alone. When the signup link for this field trip opened, I jumped at the opportunity to finally tick one item off my to-do list.

The trees were shrouded in darkness as I made my way to the entrance of Bukit Batok Nature Park. Being in a nature park at night was a new and exciting experience for me. Although I have seen this place during the daytime, coming here after the sun had set gave the park a sense of mystery. Soon after, the BFFers gathered and started the walk under the guidance of Uncle Tony, who is a knowledgable and well-known figure in Singapore’s nature scene.

Even if I didn’t know then, I would have come to that realisation during the walk itself. As we walked along the trail, Uncle Tony rattled off the scientific names and facts about the plants that we encountered with ease. It can be difficult trying to remember the common names for some of the plants, let alone the complex and often tongue-tripping Latin names. We were also pretty fortunate to encounter not one but three colugos right as we entered the park. I was hoping to see one of these creatures as it has been a while since I last saw them and I was not disappointed.

I would like to highlight a message that Uncle Tony repeated throughout the walk, which is that common doesn’t mean second-class. Putting this into context, there are many plants like the fishtail palm and fig trees that grow in abundance around us. As a result, we don’t pay much attention to them, take them for granted, or even see them as less valuable compared to rarer species. However, these common species are often essential in maintaining a functional ecosystem as they provide a stable supply of food and shelter. While it’s important to take note of endangered and/or iconic flora, we should not forget the plants that enable other creatures to survive and thrive. As Uncle Tony said, try not to be distracted too much by the shiny things. Other stories and plants that Uncle Tony talked about have already been covered extensively by other BFFers in their own posts so I would definitely recommend you to check those out!

To be honest, my favourite part of the walk was the fireside chat. It was a really unique experience hanging out by the quarry and learning about how nature conservation has evolved in Singapore over time from one of the key figures who has spearheaded such efforts. Uncle Tony first talked about the redevelopment of Bukit Brown, and how different groups came together to attempt to come to a consensus in a peaceful and civil manner. That didn’t happen and according to Uncle Tony, people would resort to slamming tables in order to get what they wanted. Clearly, hostile actions didn’t help the situation.

He then contrasted this with his experience during the Cross Island Line (CRL) debate where consultations were held and people supported a more collaborative culture and were willing to listen and learn from one another. As a result of this, the authorities were open to alternatives and eventually settled for a path that minimised environmental damage. It was fascinating to hear all the behind-the-scenes stories from the very person who authored the CRL position paper. During my time as an undergraduate, I had pored over the document while working on an assignment about the pros and cons of the CRL. Looking back at my report, I realise that I had only scratched the surface of the issues at hand and there were so many nuances that I neglected to consider.

I suppose we could consider these as examples of human-wildlife conflict on a much larger scale, as compared to species-specific conflicts. Perhaps it would be more accurate to call them human-nature conflicts? It’s really admirable how people like Uncle Tony have navigated and circumvented such difficult challenges to nature conservation in Singapore, especially during times when conservation was perceived to be of a lower priority compared to other pressing needs. The question of balancing development with conservation is never an easy one to answer and Uncle Tony mentioned that we cannot expect all modernisation to stop for the sake of nature in land-limited Singapore. What we can do is to change the mindsets of people around us so that it influences general sentiment and thus political decisions, as well as educate the people who are making the big decisions so that they are personally aware of our natural heritage.

Besides learning about plants and how to identify them, the walk reminded me not to forget the common and unassuming ones around us. I also gained new perspectives and insights into what it means to be a city in nature, allowing me to have a more balanced view of the whole human-nature conflict. It was an eye-opening trip (both literally and metaphorically) and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn and unlearn.