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Garden City Fund
Conservation and Research

Launch of the Singapore Herbarium Digitalisation and Viewing Gallery

28 October 2025

The Singapore Herbarium digitalisation aims to digitise 800,000 specimens to create Southeast Asia's largest online botanical database by 2027, facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Researchers placing specimens on the Digitalisation Belt to be scanned

Researchers placing specimens on the Digitisation Belt to be scanned

  • Launched in October 2025, Singapore Herbarium digitalisation initiative aims to digitise approximately 800,000 specimens whilst expanding herbarium and library facilities by 40% each to accommodate growing collections and enhanced research capabilities.

  • The digitalisation transforms botanical research through technology, expanding access to Southeast Asia's largest herbarium collection

Multi-Faceted Partnership Excellence

  • The digitalisation effort is supported by corporate and individual donors through Garden City Fund.

  • Key supporters include:

    • Aramco Singapore

    • Estate of Tan Jiew Cheng

    • Jo and Gerry Essery's legacy gift

    • Mr Toh Lam Tiong and family

    • TikTok Singapore

    • Mr Ou Tsung Ming and Mrs Ou Chen Li Chin

    • ST Engineering

    • Mr Tan Jiew Hoe

    • Mr Chen Xi (Kevin)

    • Geneco

At Aramco, understanding and protecting ecological habitats is an important aspect of our culture. We are honoured to support NParks in their effort to ensure the long-term preservation of plant knowledge, and to advancing critical research and conservation efforts for future generations.
— - Ms Fai K. Aldossary, Aramco Singapore Managing Director

Beyond donations, partners have supported fundraising for the initiative through the limited-edition Herbarium collectable “Herbarium in Your Pocket”.

The folder features preserved specimens collected from the very Tembusu tree featured on Singapore’s five-dollar note, with design contributions from McCann Worldgroup Singapore, $5-note donations from Hong Leong Asia Ltd, and botanical ink made from Tembusu Tree leaves by Wild Dot.

A pressed specimen from the Tembusu Tree placed in a framed folder

"Herbarium in Your Pocket" Limited Edition Specimen Folder

Research and Outreach Impact

  • It is the world's first live viewing gallery for herbarium digitalisation process.

  • When completed in 2027, this will be the largest online database of specimens housed in Southeast Asia, allowing researchers and the public globally to access high-resolution images and data of the Herbarium’s specimens, facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration.

  • The expansion accommodates an additional 300,000 specimens with improved facilities for specimen processing and research, such as an expanded drying room and a separate freezing room.

Advancing Scientific Knowledge

  • For Researchers: The digitalised herbarium provides global access to high-resolution specimen images and data, facilitating international collaboration and biodiversity research across fields including pharmacology and conservation.

  • For Conservation: The herbarium enables the study of extinct species, identification of collection gaps, and examination of regional plant diversity patterns crucial for environmental protection efforts.

  • For Singapore: This will strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading botanical research hub whilst preserving 150 years of herbarium heritage and supporting our City in Nature vision.

A lady and a girl looking at kaleidoscopes in the Herabrium Viewing Gallery

Hands-on activities at the Singapore Herbarium viewing gallery

Inspired to support our botanical legacy?

Contact Garden City Fund at garden_city_fund@nparks.gov.sg to explore partnership opportunities. Together, we are preserving the botanical knowledge that will guide Singapore's environmental future.

Find out more about how you can donate to the digitalisation and expansion of the Singapore Herbarium.

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