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