A quiet loop along a park connector, a quick escape to the beach park, or a peaceful moment beneath towering trees. These green pockets are where many Singaporeans unwind from the pace of urban life. For National Parks Board (NParks) Scholar Tan Wan Xin, such moments outdoors inspired a desire to contribute to these landscapes. Today, as a Senior Planner in Park Planning, she helps turn NParks’ vision of a City in Nature into a tangible experience for the community.

Purpose Rooted in Passion

Growing up exploring parks and park connectors, Wan Xin spent much of her childhood immersed in nature. When choosing a field of study, she sought something that would not only interest her but also allow her to make a positive impact. Ecological and Environmental Sciences became the clear choice, combining her fascination with how living organisms interact with one another and their environment.

In her second year of Junior College, she discovered the NParks Undergraduate Scholarship on the BrightSparks portal and immediately recognised it as a pathway to a meaningful career. “The NParks Undergraduate Scholarship would empower me to give back to society and in a way that aligned with what I was interested in,” she shared.

The scholarship enabled her to pursue her studies at the University of Edinburgh, gaining a strong scientific grounding from experienced professors. She also expanded her horizons through courses with the Royal Horticultural Society and a summer programme in Australia, learning about ecology, environmental challenges, and restoration efforts across the region.

Ultimately, her studies strengthened her understanding of NParks’ City in Nature vision and deepened her appreciation of how careful land-use planning can balance Singapore’s limited space with ecological needs. This would later guide her work in shaping parks and green spaces back home.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Green Spaces

As a Senior Manager in Park Planning, Wan Xin oversees new park developments and reviews land-use consultations from various agencies. For her, each day offers fresh opportunities and challenges. “Every day in Park Planning is unique!” she remarked. “Each new park and consultation is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The common thread that ties all these together is that the plans cannot work in silos — everything is inextricably linked.”

This interconnectedness is especially evident in one of her key projects: Singapore’s upcoming second marine park at Lazarus South-Kusu Reef at the Southern Islands. She and her team are working to protect habitats such as coral reefs, a secondary coastal forest rich in native species, and one of the few remaining rocky shores.

She collaborates closely with agencies like the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and stakeholders, including the Friends of Marine Park to shape the park’s boundaries. When completed, the new marine park will strengthen conservation of land and marine ecosystems, support research and education, and offer thoughtfully designed nature-based recreation — creating spaces future generations can continue to cherish.

Learning From the Ground Up

NParks’ supportive work culture has played a major role in shaping Wan Xin’s professional journey. Through meaningful rotations and hands-on guidance, she gained a grounded understanding of what it takes to manage and care for Singapore’s green spaces. Her first posting at East Coast Park as a Park Manager exposed her to the full spectrum of park operations, from horticultural and arboricultural maintenance to facilities and tenancy management. This foundation now shapes her approach to planning new parks.

Early in her career, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced a defining challenge: managing surging visitors while maintaining safety measures. Witnessing how essential parks were to the community reaffirmed the importance of her work and its positive impact on the community.

Beyond core roles, NParks encouraged her to take on crossdivisional projects such as the OneMillionTrees movement, a nationwide effort to plant a million more trees by 2030. These collaborations strengthened her appreciation of the shared effort behind Singapore’s greenery.

Charting the Future of Greenery

Through her work with NParks, Wan Xin has come to appreciate the vital role greenery plays in shaping Singapore’s liveability. She believes that in the years ahead, parks and green spaces will become even more central to climate resilience, public health, urban cooling, and biodiversity protection, while enriching daily life for the community. “Through the thoughtful planning of parks and green spaces, I hope to contribute to Singapore’s vision of becoming a City in Nature through the safeguarding of our natural heritage and enhancing of greenery within our urban landscapes, ensuring that Singapore remains liveable, healthy and sustainable for future generations,” she shared.

Finding Purpose in the Field

For Wan Xin, stepping into the field for the first time transformed her love for nature into a sense of purpose. She hopes aspiring scholars give themselves the same chance to discover that sense of belonging.

“Get involved in the many events and activities organized by NParks or apply for an internship with us!” she encouraged. “This will allow you to get a sense of the work scope and better understand whether working at NParks will be a good fit for you. It is also a great opportunity to get to know the NParks staff and other people in the nature community.”