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Ever since the National Parks Board (NParks) started the OneMillionTrees movement in March 2020, there has been steady progress toward their goal.

With continuous community partnership, they have hit half their goal in terms of trees planted, and are three years ahead of their original 2030 target.

Goal of a million trees can be achieved ahead of schedule

The OneMillionTrees movement aims to support the Singapore Green Plan 2030 and redouble Singapore's efforts to green its urban infrastructure, and accomplish the goal of becoming a City in Nature.

Trees have been planted throughout the island, at places such as along streetscapes, in gardens, parks and park connectors, nature reserves and nature parks.

NParks hopes that the trees will help to mitigate the effects of climate change, and enhance ecological connectivity and ecosystem processes.

According to NParks' press release, as of March 2023, over 500,000 trees have been planted together with the help of more than 75,000 people.

NParks expects to achieve its target of one million trees by end-2027, which is three years ahead of its original 2030 target.

Several corporations and other organisations have also made commitments to contribute to the movement via the Plant-a-Tree programme through NParks' registered charity and IPC, the Garden City Fund.

Every S$300 donation will contribute to the planting of one tree, as well as support community and capacity programmes to support Singapore’s natural heritage.

Donors can plant the trees themselves or enable schools and other community groups to plant on their behalf.

Throughout 2023, NParks aims to continue to provide more tree-planting opportunities for the community.

60 years of greening the country

To commemorate the occasion, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, representatives from the Community Development Councils of Singapore’s five districts, along with residents and other members of the community planted 60 native trees, along with three Mempat saplings in the Singapore Botanic Gardens on Apr. 15.

The trees includes 20 species of plants from the genus Hopea, of which nine species are new to the Gardens.

According to NParks, Hopea is a genus of medium-sized trees that are dipterocarps.

Southeast Asia is the centre of diversity for dipterocarps, and the trees are important for forming forest habitats for other plants and animals.

Many dipterocarp species are critically endangered due to habitat destruction from agriculture activities and extensive logging for their timber.

NParks said that the greening efforts originally started in 1963 when then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew planted a Mempat tree at Farrer Circus to begin the nationwide campaign.

Updates via the TreesSG portal

Members of the public can stay up to date with the OneMillionTrees movement by visiting the TreesSG website.

The portal allows users to track the collective progress using a tree counter, suggest initiatives, plot trees and sign up for a mailing list to receive updates.

Images via NParks/FB.