The History of Singapore Forests
On Labour Day (May 1), the Club hosted a sold-out event, “The History of Singapore’s Forests,” led by renowned forest ecologist and alumnus Dr. Chuck Cannon (Director of the Center for Tree Science at The Morton Arboretum and Director, Forest and Tree Research at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore (NParks)).
Club members joined Chuck in a captivating journey into the hidden world of trees, and left with a profound new appreciation for forests and their intricate ecosystems.
Dr. Cannon enthralled the audience with his deep expertise and unique perspective—explaining how he strives to “think like a tree” to better understand their behavior, resilience, and interconnectedness. He shared astonishing insights, including evidence that trees communicate and share resources through underground networks, effectively acting as a cooperative community rather than solitary organisms.
One of the most thought-provoking themes was his discussion on how every tree is both ancient and ever-new—carrying genetic legacies millions of years old while constantly regenerating in dynamic ways. His stories of Singapore’s forests, past and present, painted a vivid picture of their ecological and cultural significance.
We walked away reconsidering our perception of nature—no longer seeing trees as static background objects but as intelligent, interconnected beings with their own histories and survival strategies.
A heartfelt thanks to Chuck for patiently answering our never-ending questions, and to all who joined us for the camaraderie and inevitable post-walk kopi!
The overwhelming turnout and lively conversations underscored the growing fascination with ecology and the urgent need to preserve these silent giants that shape our world.
Stay tuned for more thought-provoking events from the Harvard Club of Singapore!
#HarvardSg #SingaporeForests #ThinkLikeATree
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