The Rail Corridor fades into a soft dusk at 7pm every evening as most of its lights are switched off. This is the moment when the historic 24km stretch comes alive, with nocturnal creatures like owls, snakes and civets emerging from their habitats to hunt and forage under the cover of night.
But what makes wildlife happy can become a thorny issue for mankind.
“When I was part of the team managing the Rail Corridor in 2023, one feedback we commonly received from park users was that the main trail was quite dark at night,” recalls 26-year-old Seah Yi Xuan, when she was serving her bond with the National Parks Board (NParks).
“It took a lot of time and effort for us to engage the public and explain that lighting is only provided along key access paths for human safety, and the main trails were kept unlit at night to facilitate nocturnal wildlife movement.”
This was one of the many instances when Yi Xuan realised that places like the Rail Corridor, along with other spaces in Singapore, are not just for conserving heritage but also for supporting recreational needs.
As a manager of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (Rail Corridor) with NParks, her job scope included compiling monthly horticulture orders and maintaining park safety by making sure that trees were pruned regularly.
She joined NParks in 2020 after acquiring a bachelor’s degree in geography at University College London (UCL) on an NParks Undergraduate Scholarship.
What was most memorable for Yi Xuan was interacting with nature interest groups and the public. She found out first-hand how, especially in a land-scarce country like Singapore, it can be challenging but also fulfilling to be constantly balancing what people want and what nature needs.
“As our city develops, there will be increased tension between urban growth and the need to conserve our green spaces. Striking a balance between development and conservation will become more critical as we transform Singapore into a City in Nature,” she explains.
As part of the Singapore Green Plan 2030, NParks envisions the future of Singapore as a City in Nature that is more liveable and sustainable by increasing nature park networks, connecting green spaces, restoring nature into urban areas and protecting animal welfare.
All these goals resonate with nature-loving Yi Xuan. As a child, she would hike around Singapore with her family. After graduating from junior college, her interest led her to volunteer with NParks.
“Striking a balance between development and conservation will become more critical as we transform Singapore into a City in Nature.”
– Seah Yi Xuan, recipient of the NParks Undergraduate Scholarship
“The experience opened my eyes to the meaningful work that NParks does, particularly in educating the younger generation about nature,” says the scholar.
She signed up for the NParks scholarship as she wanted a job with a good mix of indoor and outdoor work and, more importantly, one that would let her pursue her passion for conserving the environment.
An overseas scholarship also allowed her to get up close and personal with what she had learnt in her books. As part of her studies, she went on a field trip to Barcelona, Spain, where she got to learn about coastal protection, and visited British Columbia, Canada to learn about forestry.
Although Singapore does not have many natural landforms like mountains or waterfalls, Yi Xuan says that geography is still relevant to the city-state.
“People always think geography is about physical landmarks, but there are many human aspects to geography which helps us to understand the world and interact with other cities,” she adds.
For instance, human geography revolves around urban planning, a key concern in Singapore that forms a huge part of Yi Xuan’s work. She explains that it has been an eye-opening experience to see how much thought, coordination and long-term vision go into every aspect of Singapore’s development.
“We take things for granted. Growing up, I always assumed there would be a mall, playground or an MRT station near me,” she says. “After working at NParks, I realised a lot of effort is behind all these. Amenities and green spaces are not always there.”
For instance, at NParks, she learnt to secure land for park connectors. “We integrate greenery with land that is cleared for redevelopment by negotiating with other government agencies on why we need the space. Then, we have to conceptualise a nice experience, like the coast-to-coast trail.”
There have also been light-hearted moments on the job. She appreciates how she got the opportunity to plan and host a series of webinars, and “felt like a YouTuber for a day”. On another occasion, she gave a talk at a primary school and had to keep the attention of a room full of young children, something that pushed her out of her comfort zone.
While Yi Xuan’s job has allowed her to fulfil her passion for environmental issues, it has also broadened her perspective by showing her how it intersects with urban development and policy planning for the country.
Currently seconded to the Ministry of National Development as a manager in its strategic planning division, she works on policies related to land use, urban development and conservation. She also works closely with the Urban Redevelopment Authority to ensure that Singaporeans enjoy a healthy living environment.
What gives her great job satisfaction is knowing that future generations will continue to enjoy pockets of nature and greenery in urban areas.
“Now, whenever I walk around Singapore, I have a new appreciation for the carefully designed towns, greenery and infrastructures. There is a sense of pride that comes with knowing that my work contributes to tangible outcomes,” she says.
“My career allows me to directly influence and contribute meaningfully to how we manage and conserve our green spaces while balancing the demands of urban development. As Singapore continues to grow, it is about making sure we do so in a way that maintains our commitment to conservation for our future generations.”
