Coral reefs are one of the most valuable ecosystems on Earth as about 25% of the ocean’s fish are dependent on healthy coral reefs for survival.

With approximately 60% of Singapore’s reef area lost to land reclamation, our nation is left with over 250 species of corals that can still be found largely around our southern islands, such as Pulau Satumu, Pulau Semakau and the Sisters’ Islands.

In view of this issue, the National Parks Board (NParks) recently launched an initiative to scale up existing coral restoration efforts and plant 100,000 corals in Singapore’s waters under their Plant-A-Coral, Seed-A-Reef (PACSAR) Programme.

This Chinese New Year, together with NParks, and alongside Marshall Cavendish Education (MCE), we hope to invite Singaporeans to dive deeper with us, explore the vast coral reefs that are thriving within our waters, and join us in our conservation efforts, through our #VoyageToProsperity initiative.

Pledge your support by playing the Voyage To Prosperity Game

In collaboration with MCE, we have co-created the Voyage To Prosperity Game, together with 10-year-old Gabriel Chin. 

As part of MCE’s Summer Coding Hackathon themed ‘Code the Ocean’, students aged 9-12 from around the world were invited to create games of their own to raise awareness for ocean sustainability, and among the shortlisted entries was this game creatively coded and designed by Gabriel, which theme is focused on ocean clean-ups. 

Simply play this game to pledge your support, and we will donate on your behalf, towards our $10,000 donation to the coral reef conservation and enhancement efforts by NParks’ Garden City Fund.

Haul in a prosperous Chinese New Year with Geneco’s marine-inspired red packets

Together with NParks’ Garden City Fund, this year, we are illuminating the beauty of coral reefs, which serve as a pivotal foundation for a thriving marine ecosystem. 

Each red packet, printed on FSC-certified paper, features a radiant flow of fishes in vivid hues of pink, blue and gold, as well as blooming corals to represent their flourishing prosperity. 

Within each red packet, you will find unique lesser-known facts about our native coral reefs, such as “While our reefs are only 0.01% the size of the Great Barrier Reef, they host about half as many coral species, showcasing the remarkable resilience of our local marine biodiversity.”

If you would like to receive one of these exclusive red packets, you can head down to our pop-up event happening now at Tampines Mall. More details below.

Breathe new life into used red packets

2024 marks the fourth consecutive year of our Used Red Packets Recycling Initiative. This year, we are joined by new and returning partners, including CapitaLand malls, CRU, IUIGA, OTO,  PAP Action for Green Towns, REFASH, and Wisma Atria, who are hosting our recycling bins at over 90 locations across the nation from now till 31 March.

These red packets will then be collected by SG Recycle, who will repurpose them into new paper products. 

Plus, join our Geneco Facebook or Instagram giveaway and let us know which CapitaLand mall you will be visiting to drop off your red packets in our recycling bins, and you could be one of the 40 lucky winners to walk away with a $28 eCapitaVoucher. Contest ends on 11 February 2024.

Join us at #VoyageToProsperity pop-up event

From now till 6 February, come on down to Tampines Mall, Level 1 Concourse, to show your support for local coral reef conservation efforts at our #VoyageToProsperity pop-up event. 

Together with your little ones, you can play the Voyage To Prosperity Game at the event and stand to win a $28 eCapitaVoucher, when you are amongst the top five players of the week, and a limited-edition Geneco reusable straw. 

What’s more, you can drop by between 3pm to 6pm on 3 & 4 February and stand to receive an exclusive set of Geneco Red Packets and a Geneco Green Starter Kit (worth $40) that consists of a silicone water bottle, reusable straw, recyclable umbrella and a grocery net bag if you are among the first 50 players each day.

If you have used or excess red packets at home, you can also bring them down to our recycling bins at the pop-up event. 

For more information on our campaign and event details, visit https://www.voyagetoprosperity.sg/ 

Together, let’s embark on a #VoyageToProsperity towards a sustainable nation for our next generation.​ 

And beyond.

Beyond our lush urban greenery, Singapore is home to a vibrant mosaic of oceanic biodiversity, with over 12,000 species of marine organisms living in our waters. 

At the heart of this lively marine community, our native coral reefs, also known as “the Rainforests of the Sea”, emerge as magnificent marvels, over countless generations of corals and reef organisms. Within their intricate ecosystems, you can find over 120 species of reef fishes and about 200 species of sponges creating a rich and diverse underwater habitat. 

Through meticulous conservation, we can do our part in helping our reefs to persevere through threats, such as climate change and land reclamation, and support a thriving and harmonious ecosystem. 

In this month’s blog, join us as we delve into 4 activities that you can do in Singapore to instil awareness about the importance of marine conservation from an early age.

1. Making a difference with ‘Our Singapore Reefs’

Established in 2017, Our Singapore Reefs (OSR) has been an emerging leader in local marine conservation. Led by a quartet of avid divers – Sam, Tai Chong, Lynette, and Yvonne – OSR chiefly organises reef clean-ups, taking volunteer divers on expeditions to clean up marine litter lying on our seabeds. 

Despite the common practice of properly disposing of our waste, trash such as plastic containers and empty glass bottles are still often left behind on our beaches. Subsequently, during high tide, these remnants are swept into the ocean, causing pollution and disruption to coral ecosystems.

OSR’s goal is clear— every dive uncovers new litter, fueling their ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of marine conservation, and serving as a reminder to all that maintaining cleanliness in and around our waters is our responsibility.

If you would like to join their cause but are not a diver yourself, OSR also co-hosts beach clean-up sessions with Georges, providing an opportunity for families and young ones to get involved. These sessions are often accompanied by expert sharing programmes, serving as an educational avenue for newcomers to learn about marine diversity, mangrove protection and more. 

By participating in OSR’s activities with your family, you will not only be contributing to the ongoing efforts of marine conservation but also cultivating knowledge and enthusiasm for marine conservation early. Head over to OSR’s Instagram to discover more about their activities. 

2. Educating from young with “Let’s Discover Our Seashores, Singapore!”

While sustainability topics have been weaved into the classrooms in recent years, it is equally important that parents continue cultivating these learnings and interests at home — and what better way to do so than with an interactive children’s picture book.

Titled “Let’s Discover Our Seashores, Singapore!”, the picture book authored by father-daughter duo Professor Emeritus Chou and Diana Chou is a visual and aural experience that invites parents and young readers to explore the world of marine creatures living on our shores. 

Featuring 25 unique sea creatures, the book incorporates visual illustrations and QR codes linking to animated videos online, where Professor Emeritus Chou, a marine biologist at the Tropical Marine Science Institute, explains in deeper detail the interesting traits and behaviours of these animals. 

For example, young readers may discover animals such as an eight-armed seastar extending its arms, with small, flexible tube-like structures to enhance its speed during incoming tides. Interesting as it may be, this newfound knowledge can enrich your child’s learning, making their next trip to the beach more engaging and rewarding. 

Through captivating visuals and tech integration, there are endless ways in which children can nurture their interest in marine life conservation. If you are keen to kickstart your child’s educational journey, you can do so by picking up a copy of “Let’s Discover Our Seashores, Singapore!” at any Popular, Kinokuniya and Times bookstore near you.

3. Exploring new coastal trails on Big Sisters’ Island

Beyond our mainland beaches, families can take their curiosities further with the upcoming opening of Big Sisters’ Island this year. With a host of exciting new activities lined up, you can now look forward to exploring a whole new side of Singapore, just a boat ride away.

The island features a 230-metre coastal forest trail, complete with a hilltop viewing deck that offers an unobstructed view of our cerulean seas. You will also find lush green canopy throughout your hikes, all of which were strategically placed to enhance coastal habitats for sea creatures in our waters.

Besides the sights of the native animals living on Big Sisters’ Island, the little ones can experience the sea within the confines of a lagoon tidal pool, designed to retain seawater during low tide. Kids and parents can even partake in snorkelling activities, spotting moon snails, sea cucumbers and even octopi during their swims.

By providing children with a unique and immersive experience, we can help instil a deeper appreciation for marine conservation. This initiative is further enhanced by the collaboration between the National Parks Board and Singtel, who will incorporate 5G technology across the island to boost monitoring and virtual education programmes as well. 

Discover more coastal activities and amenities on Big Sisters’ Island here.

4. Diving into coral reef and marine conservation with #VoyageToProsperity

This Chinese New Year, we would like to invite you to dive deeper with us, explore the vast coral reefs that are thriving within our waters, and join us in our conservation efforts.

Through our collaboration with Marshall Cavendish Education (MCE), we have co-created the Voyage To Prosperity Game together with 10-year-old Gabriel Chin. As part of our initiative, we will be donating $10,000 to the coral reef conservation and enhancement efforts by NParks’ Garden City Fund, and you and your little ones can join us to pledge your support for coral reef conservation efforts, simply by playing the game. Each gameplay will count as a pledge towards conserving our coral reefs.

Together with the NParks’ Garden City Fund, we are also illuminating the beauty of coral reefs, which serve as a pivotal foundation for a thriving marine ecosystem on our Geneco Red Packets. 

This is symbolised by the radiant flow of fishes in vivid hues of pink, blue and gold, as well as the blooming corals to represent their flourishing prosperity. Within each red packet, you will also discover the lesser-known facts about our coral reefs and how they are vital to our marine life.

For a chance to win a set of limited edition Geneco Red Packets and $28 eCapitaVoucher, you can also take part in our Facebook and Instagram giveaway contests simply by sharing with us one of the places where Singapore’s coral reefs can be found.

By nurturing an appreciation and sense of responsibility for our marine environment from a young age, we hope to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental stewards to build themselves a sustainable future.

Together let’s embark on a #VoyageToProsperity towards a sustainable nation for our next generation. 

And beyond.