About this Place Of Interest

Main Photograph: Ruby Herman/ Flickr/ 2012 [1]. Labrador Nature Reserve sits on a 10-hectare land in the southern coast of Singapore and it undeniably offers a welcome breather from the hustle and bustle of the city. Home to the only rocky coast and only surviving patch of fringing coral reefs on the mainland of Singapore, Labrador Nature Reserve is also home to many historical relics from World War II. History records reveal that the British colonial government gazetted the area as a nature reserve in 1951 but the effort was reversed in 1973 [2]. It was only in 2002 that it regained its gazetted status much to the credit of a group of people led by a marine biologist, Professor Leo Tan Wee-Hin [3]. There are several interesting trails that offer breathtaking views of the nature reserve and coastal area. This includes the 960 meters Berlayer Creek. This boardwalk leads visitors along the mangroves patch and directly to the Labrador Beach through the Bukit Chermin Boardwalk, which is 330 metres long [4]. Meanwhile the 830 metres Alexandra Garden Trail features a variety of flowering plants and foliage and stretches from Depot Road to the West Coast Highway [5]. Another attraction at Labrador Nature Reserve is the replica of the Dragon’s Teeth Gate, which is located nearby Labrador’s iconic red beacon, the Berlayer Point Lighthouse. The large rocky granite outcrop which is also known as Long Ya Men once stood at the mouth of Keppel Harbour and served as a navigation landmark [6]. The British had blown up the rock in 1848 in order to allow large ships into Keppel Harbour [7]. The replica which is six metres high was erected in 2005 to commemorate its role in the maritime history of Singapore [8]. Meanwhile, the Berlayer Point Lighthouse, which was built in the 1930s, is situated between Tanjong Berlayer and Tanjong Rimau, both of which are located on Singapore’s mainland and on the north-western end of Sentosa Island respectively. It also happens to be located at a nearby patch of fringing reefs [9].

About this Learning Experience

Main Photograph: Ruby Herman/ Flickr/ 2012 [1]. In this Learning Experience, you will learn how land reclamation projects can have devastating impacts on mangroves and coral reefs. This Learning Experience is suitable for learners Year 3 and above. Note: The reflection phase will take place under Point A.

Syllabus Content

• Physical geography in relation to: coast.

Resources Needed

Sneakers earphones face tower drinking water stationery notebook.