Festival of Biodiversity 2025

The Festival of Biodiversity (FoB) returns once again for its 14th iteration! Organised by the National Parks Board (NParks) in collaboration with the Biodiversity Roundtable, this year’s Festival was held at the National Library on 31 May and 1 June, with Guest of Honour, Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information & Minister-in-charge for Smart Nation and Cybersecurity, hosted by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development. During his opening address, Minister Chee highlighted the Southern Islands Biodiversity Survey, one of the largest surveys done on the Southern Islands which resulted in the documentation of 44 previously unrecorded species from the Southern Islands. Minister Chee also announced the establishment of the Singapore Species Specialist Group, which will operate under one of the world’s largest conservation networks - the International Union for Conservation of Nature. With more than 100 experts from various sectors ranging from academia, the nature community and the government, the Singapore Species Specialist Group will regularly review and monitor the conservation status of local biodiversity.

Minister Chee Hong Tat giving his opening address at this year’s Festival of Biodiversity.

As Singapore’s biggest annual biodiversity festival, the Festival of Biodiversity brought together over 20 of Singapore’s many nature groups and schools, with the over 21,000 visitors being treated to booth sharings and exhibits, spotlight talks, and engaging workshops over the weekend! Staff and volunteers alike were united by the shared passion of Singapore’s biodiversity, and the tireless effort that goes into protecting it.

Volunteers from Our Wild Neighbours share about Singapore’s native biodiversity with members of the public.

Energy levels at the Festival were high on both days as volunteers shared about our native biodiversity and conservation efforts. The various booths showcased the diversity of flora and fauna to be found right here in Singapore, and no creature was too big or small for volunteers to educate the public on. Visitors to the Festival learned about our native biodiversity, ongoing conservation efforts and programmes that help to make Singapore truly a “City in Nature”.

Over the Festival weekend, visitors attended interactive workshops conducted by various experts and nature groups, and children were also able to take part in hands-on workshops such as face painting and clay making.

Children attending one of the many exciting workshops, organised by Singapore Wildcat Action Group, at this year’s FoB!

Given by experts and prominent members of the nature community, the Spotlight Talks highlighted our native flora and fauna species, ranging from plants, snakes, and even the rich natural history of Singapore! The insightful talks and passion of the speakers was palpable, and proved to be extremely popular, with over 600 visitors who packed the programme room across the 6 Spotlight Talks.

Dr Shawn Lum, previous president of Nature Society Singapore, giving his Spotlight Talk on Singapore’s Amazing Plant Life!

This year’s Festival of Biodiversity once again showcases the commitment of the nature community to the conservation of our biodiversity and is a testament to the importance of educating and sharing about our biodiversity to the wider community. This year’s Festival was filled with fun, friends and of course, biodiversity, and next year will be no different. Thank you to all who made this year’s FoB a success, see you next year!

Thank you to everyone who came down to support this year’s Festival!