subject: Wildlife Conservation Ambassador Programme At Jurong Bird Park [print this page] The Conservation Ambassador initiative is an interactive community outreach programme that provides foreign and local students with opportunities to serve the community, protect nature, gain social skills as well as a life-changing experience of working at an internationally-acclaimed bird park with more than 8,000 birds representing 600 species.
The Conservation Ambassadors programme at Jurong Bird Park reconnects urban youths with wildlife and teaches them to appreciate the diversity of animals. Over the 2-day intensive training and first-hand experiences with birds, education officers not only impart interesting avian facts but also equip ambassadors with life-long skills like responsibility, caring for those around them and overcoming the fear of public speaking. This programme encourages student volunteers to play an active role in raising awareness of endangered avian species by spreading the conservation message to visitors during their stints at the Bird Park.
The Conservation Ambassador programme is an integral part of the Bird Parks commitment to conservation. Involving international and local students is one way to engage them, and to impress upon them the importance of wildlife and conservation. This programme intensifies efforts for the Bird Park to become a learning park, help our younger generation feel more connected to the avian world and motivate them to take action to preserve it, said Ms May Lok, Assistant Director, Education, Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
Conservation Ambassadors Programme
Under this programme, students aged 15 and above are trained to be volunteer guides at selected exhibits at the Jurong Bird Park. In recent years, the programme has become very popular with international students, with a total of 38 international youth ambassadors. Being a Conservation Ambassador provides a life-changing volunteer and travel experience, allowing students to take part in and explore more in another country outside the comforts of home and school.
Participants will go through a 2-day intensive training programme, which includes talks by Jurong Bird Park experts on how the Bird Park works, training of birds for shows and handling of visitors. They also have to familiarise themselves with various species at the Park through behind-the-scenes training. At the end of the course, the students are assessed on their knowledge about key areas.
These young ambassadors, armed with their newfound knowledge, can then conduct tours and help to spread conservation messages to the many visitors at the Bird Park. There are Conservation ambassadors volunteering at areas like Bird Discovery Centre, African Wetlands and Dino Descendants.
Training sessions are held quarterly, and the upcoming session will be on 3 and 10 April 2010, from 9am to 5pm for students 15 years and above. There is a participation fee of $20, and registration is now open. Please contact Ms Amberly Chew at 6661 7809 or at amberly@birdpark.com.sg for more information.
