Welcome back, readers! This will be my last part of the topic of the park as I will be writing about the Habitat Enhancement programme supported by OCBC bank management and staff. I am proud of this programme as I owned an OCBC account and the bank supports these kinds of initiatives to care for Mother Nature. Without further ado, let's dive in!

Coney Island Park was opened to the public in October 2015. As part of the park's development, reforestation efforts were undertaken to supplement the pre-existing vegetation, and today it is home to a wide variety of habitats and a diverse range of fauna and flora. Habitat enhancement efforts to reintroduce native coastal species help to benefit the conservation of Singapore's native biodiversity, including many species that are threatened nationally, or in some cases, extinct in the wild.

The plot you see here will be forested over the next five years. This is made possible by OCBC Bank management and staff who will contribute donations and volunteer efforts to collect, propagate, reintroduce and maintain the plants. This will benefit fauna such as resident and migratory birds by providing them with food and shelter, and the plants will also act as seed sources for the subsequent regeneration of the natural ecosystem.

This project will involve the planting of various native coastal species, including:

Small-leaved Nutmeg

Knema globularia

This tree can grow up to 24m tall in lowland primary and secondary rainforests, and coastal areas. It is a Critically Endangered native species and bears fruit which are eaten by the Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris).

Damak-damak Tahun

Scolopia macrophylla

Formerly believed to be extinct in Singapore, a single specimen of this Critically Endangered tree was rediscovered on Coney Island in 2014. Its timber is denser than water, reddish brown and can be used for construction.

Twin-Apple

Ochrosia oppositifolia

Presumed to be nationally extinct in Singapore, this tree has white fragrant flowers and fleshy leaf blades that are usually broader at the tip than at the base. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat indigestion.

Seashore Purslane

Portulaca pilosa ssp. pilosa

Found on Pulau Ubin, this Critically Endangered native plant has brilliant magenta-pink flowers that attract butterfly pollinators. Its seeds are a food source for birds like the Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata).

Kelentit Nyamuk

Guioa pleuropteris

This Vulnerable tree can grow up to 30m tall. It bears small red fruit which have one to three well-developed lobes. Its seeds are round to drop-shaped and are covered with a fleshy orange outer layer which is eaten by birds.

Silver Bush

Sophora tomentosa

The fruit pods of this Critically Endangered plant resemble a string of beads and are covered with short hairs. Its yellow flowers provide nectar for butterflies, and the leaves provide food for caterpillars of various moths.

This will mark the hiatus of the series of "Exploring my own country with Afiqsejuk" and tomorrow onwards will continue my game series with Fate of the Dragon. I will leave readers the photo of the journey back home. Signing off! Sejuk!