Adopt a Tree

STORIES UWCSEA

Adopt a Tree Digging in and contributing to Singapore’s biodiversity

For the last several years, our community has been putting down virtual and deeply symbolic roots at the College. Parents, staff, students, alumni and family members have been getting their hands dirty—loosening soil, digging holes and mulching in saplings they have sponsored through UWCSEA’s Adopt a Tree programme. Across our campuses, over 250 trees have been planted, providing a home for small animals, nesting places for birds, improved air quality and reducing soil erosion. As a result, the campuses have beautiful groves and stands of trees in areas that were previously bare. Avocado, bamboo, coconut, red gum, durian, mango, oil palm, paperbark and white meranti are just a few of the 100 tree varieties that have been planted, creating lush and verdant green spaces contributing to Singapore’s long-term goal of biodiversity conservation.

Many of the rainforest trees that were adopted through the programme have been grown by students in the Rainforest Restoration Nurseries, specialist nurseries on both Dover and East that raise critically endangered tree seedlings while teaching students about reforestation and conservation challenges. The partnership between the Adopt a Tree programme and the Rainforest Restoration Nurseries are mutually beneficial; giving students a hands-on opportunity to learn about propagating seeds and saplings, and community members a chance to contribute to biodiversity conservation and our local environment. Due to the tremendous generosity of our community, the Adopt a Tree programmes officially ended on Dover and East as they successfully reached their planting goals in 2018/2019. Gardeners and students have now taken over the propagation and planting of replacement growth as necessary.

Thank you to everyone who adopted a tree! The UWCSEA gardeners and students look after each tree throughout its lifespan, with passion and pride.

“We adopted a tree as a family because it was a memorable way of giving back to UWCSEA and the environment. Our hope is that it continues to grow and thrive, along with our children, for years to come.”

SANDY LO, parent, Dover