30 Nov (Fri): Our Garden Kitchen Tour at Pasir Ris Park


Excite your senses with our Garden Kitchen Tour. Find out how vegetables are grown before it gets onto your plate! You will also learn about some natural remedies that our grandmothers might have planted in their own backyard.

Suitable for kids.

Pre-registration required.

Time: 9am
Venue: Pasir Ris Park, Pasir Ris Green (Carpark C)
Cost: $5/person
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: chong_wei_teng@nparks.gov.sg

30 Nov (Fri): Hantu Swamp Adventure at Pasir Ris Park

A different mangrove emerges upon nightfall. Join us into a night of adventure as we journey into the infamous location in Pasir Ris.... the Pasir Ris Park Swamp. An event for the brave-hearted, you will be on a mission to search for clues to solve a mystery question. The haunting stories we heard about the swamp may come alive for the night!

Time: 8-10pm (7.30pm registration)
Venue: Pasir Ris Park, Pasir Ris Green (Carpark C)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Wei Teng chong_wei_teng@nparks.gov.sg

30 Nov (Fri): Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh

A one-day camp of fun-filled indoor and outdoor activities. Learn about the wetlands and conservation issues through worksheets, nature walks and hands-on activities. Children will earn a stamp for every completed activity, and a full collection of stamps will earn them a series of cloth badges.

Suitable for kids 6-10 years old

Pre-registration and booking fee required. Limited to 40 children.

More information about the YNP programme on the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website

Time: 8.30am-5pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact:
sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

29 Nov (Thu): Highlights at Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

A talk on the newly opened Children's Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens! Hear more about plants of many colours, shapes and sizes, textures and feel in our Sensory Garden. Growing here are also plants for drinks, plants for dyes and plants that grow on other plants! Have fun at the fantastic forest which includes a tree house, a pond, a suspension bridge and a cave! Plenty to do here, plenty to see!

Suitable for K1 - P6 levels.

Pre-registration required. Registration closes two days before the event.

Time: 10-10.30am
Cost: $2.50 per child/parent
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/education/workshopchi.asp
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens 6471 9961

28 Nov (Wed): Green Drinks Singapore

An informal get-together for those involved in the environment. Because you want to engage in a greater conversation about the environment, and steer it towards a positive outcome for the world.

Hosted by Green Drinks International, a monthly get-together for those who work in the environmental field for informal sessions. It's a great way of catching up with people you know and also for making new contacts. Everyone invites someone else along, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organising network.

From Wilson Ang's facebook entry

Time: 7-10pm
Location: Food #03 109 Rowell Road
Website: http://www.greendrinks.org/
Contact: olivia@greendrinks.sg or 96887449

28 Nov (Wed): The Role of Prevention in Sustainable Resource Use

A free talk by Kit Strange, Director of Resource Recovery Forum who will discuss the role of prevention in sustainable resource use, reflecting on current European policy drivers for sustainable resource use, developing tools for waste prevention, the need for effective communications, relevant case studies: food waste and plastic bags.

The talk is free but registration is required.

More details and registration on the Singapore Environmental Institute website

Time: 3pm to 5pm
Venue: SEI Training Room , Environment Building, #06-00, Singapore 228231
Contact: 67319208 or nea_seicustomer@nea.gov.sg

27 Nov (Tue): The Birthday Party

A story-guided tour for kids!

Sara is celebrating her baby brother's birthday party. At the last minute, she realizes she forgot the birthday present! Help Sara search for the perfect gift at the Children's Garden. Along the way, have a fun and memorable experience in this new Garden dedicated to children.

Suitable for K1 - P2 levels.

Pre-registration required. Registration closes two days before the event.

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Cost: $8.50 per child (includes $2.50 "The Birthday Party, Sara at the Children's Garden" workbook)
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/education/workshopchi.asp
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens 6471 9961

27 Nov (Tue): The Snail Story at the Library

Listen to a story, make a craft and discover the fascinating world of snails. An hour long programme full of fun activities and games for 7 - 9 year olds. Please bring along your scissors, staplers and colour pencil.

Limited to 20 participants only.

Please register at the Woodlands Regional Library Customer Service Counter.

Time: 3-4pm
Venue: Woodlands Regional Library - Everest Room
Cost: $2 per child
Website: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/
Contact: use contact page on the NLB website above

Latest update: 23 Nov 07

8-9 Dec (Sat-Sun): Kayaking Expedition in Singapore: from Pasir Ris to Pulau Ubin

Join this Kayaking-Camping Expedition and enjoy a unique weekend of fun and sun, as well as get to get know more about one of our natural treasures: Pulau Ubin!

Limited vacancies!

Registration required.

No kayaking certification is required, but participants are expected to be able to swim 50m confidently. No age limit, however, for participants younger than 18 years old, parental consent is required.

This event is organised by the Bukit Batok Youth Executive Committee and is supported by the South West CDC.

Time: 12noon 8 Dec - 12noon 9 Dec
Meeting point: WaterCross Centre, Pasir Ris Beach
Cost: $50/person includes ayaks Rentals, Food, Insurance, Rental Camping Equipment,Safety Boat Cover
Website: http://wateradventure.wordpress.com/
Contact: zhixian_tan@yahoo.com

19-25 Nov: Highlights of the week ahead

With the school holidays, there's plenty of activities for kids!

At the Singapore Botanic Gardens, kids can learn about water plants, get an introduction to the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden in general, or its plants. Or bring them for Recycling Day events for the family held at several locations.

Or get inspired by nature through art with Pui San's last-Sunday-of-the-month painting session at Sungei Buloh.

There are also walks at the Evolution Garden at the Botanic Gardens and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

There's an intriguing event this weekend called An Ant's Endeavor To Move A Tree - A Holistic Health Green Carnival.

For the more active, join the Feet to Walk briskwalk activities at Punggol Park and Bukit Batok Nature Park.

Offshore island trips include the the Pulau Semakau birdwatching tour and Chek Jawa intertidal walk.

Other updates

A Herb and spice garden with special access has just been opened in Bishan more details

You CAN make a difference!

Want to enjoy a day exploring our mangroves AND make a difference? Join the Horseshoe Crab project outing this weekend to rescue the poor creatures from driftnets and learn more about them.

For the conservation minded, there's a Conservation Chat at Nature Society.

Want to make a difference for our islands?
Grant Pereira of the Green Volunteers Network has sent out a call for volunteers more details.

Now open for bookings:

2 Dec (Sun): Chek Jawa Boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs. Let these enthusiastic volunteers introduce you to the shore at high tide!

24-25 Nov (Sat-Sun): An Ant's Endeavor To Move A Tree - A Holistic Health Green Carnival

A delightful learning experience, and all importantly, a delicious ride of your taste buds and unforgettable showcase or organic health products. Come with your family and friends to find out ways to energize water, and healthy eating for ourselves and our children; Learn ways to live safer in midst of harmful electromagnetic fields and radiation; and more.

Admission is free.

Time: 10am-8pm
Venue: Fort Canning Centre, Fort Canning Park
Website: http://www.lapislazulilight.com/index.php
Contact: lllsing@singnet.com.sg or 6337 5183

25 Nov (Sun): Painting with Pui San at Sungei Buloh

Free art-and-nature appreciation at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Pui San welcomes artists of all ages or anyone who wants to learn. His objective is to encourage creativity while enjoying nature at the same time. Bring along your favourite drawing or painting supplies.

More in the art in the wetlands blog.

Time: Meet 8.30am at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ticketing counter (Visitor Centre). Session usually lasts until about 11am.
Admission charges: While the art session is free, usual admission charges to Reserve apply. $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://artinwetlands.wordpress.com/
Contact: Tham Pui Sam at thampuisan@hotmail.com or the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

25 Nov (Sun): Feet To Walk at Punggol Park

Learn to briskwalk the right way and enjoy the family leisure park and fishing promenade. Feet to Walk is a new programme of morning brisk walking at parks, parks connectors and nature reserve.

Time: 8am-10.30am
Start point: Hougang Ave 8 Entrance Plaza (next to Bliss Restaurant)
End point: Hougang Ave 8 Entrance Plaza
Website: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/feet_to_walk/

24 Nov (Sat): Heritage and nature walk at Fort Canning Park

Free guided walk to discover the most historic part of Singapore. Malay & Chinese historical records point to this hill as the centre of a kingdom that arose around 1300AD. Previously a "Forbidden Hill", Fort Canning Park once housed some ancient Malay rulers as well as Sir Stamford Raffles who had his house built in 1823 during his 3rd and last visit to Singapore.

This walk is conducted by volunteer guides every last Saturday of the month.

Time: 4-5.30pm
Venue: Meet at Cox Terrace, in front of Fort Canning Centre, Fort Canning Park
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Lili at 63321302 or Goh_lili@nparks.gov.sg

24-25 Nov (Sat-Sun): An Ant's Endeavor To Move A Tree - A Holistic Health Green Carnival

A delightful learning experience, and all importantly, a delicious ride of your taste buds and unforgettable showcase or organic health products. Come with your family and friends to find out ways to energize water, and healthy eating for ourselves and our children; Learn ways to live safer in midst of harmful electromagnetic fields and radiation; and more.

Admission is free.

Time: 10am-8pm
Venue: Fort Canning Centre, Fort Canning Park
Website: http://www.lapislazulilight.com/index.php
Contact: lllsing@singnet.com.sg or 6337 5183

24 Nov (Sat): Horseshoe Crab Rescue and Research

Visit our mangroves and make a difference. Join volunteers to save trapped horseshoe crabs and learn more about these endangered animals. This is a project by the Nature Society (Singapore),

More about the project on the Cyber Dino blog

Time: 2.30pm, meet at the track extending from Kranji Loop.
Transport from Kranji MRT station at 2.15pm
Website: http://hsuchiachi.blogspot.com/
Contact: Hsu Chia Chi at 93817653

24 Nov (Sat): Evolution Garden tour

A free guided walk of this unique garden that tells the story of how our plants came to be. An easy stroll on paved paths among strange plants.

Suitable for kids.

The 4pm tour is conducted in mandarin.

This walk is held every fourth Saturday of the month.

Time: 9am (English tour) 4pm (Mandarin tour)
Venue: Register at Visitor Centre before the tour starts.
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361

24 Nov (Sun): Birdwatching at Semakau

for NSS members only;

A good time to visit Semakau for migratory birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions are: Great-billed Heron. Pacific Reef Egret, Malaysian Plover, etc. Possible sighting of rare migrants such as Chinese Egret, Oriental Pratincole, etc.

Booking: Ho Hua Chew hohc@starhub.net.sg.

Please note: Identity card or Passport mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members only – 1st come 1st served basis. Children under 12 not allowed (NEA regulation).

Time: Meet at 7.30am at the West Coast Ferry Terminal (near Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.) We will return to mainland by 2pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway. Please come with a non-refundable $25 fee for boat & administration. Send your cheque to NSS office by 16 November with the AP Form. Number of persons for trip: 11 or 22 or 33.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

24 Nov (Sat): Feet To Walk at Bukit Batok Nature Park

Learn to briskwalk the right way and enjoy a picturesque pond and quarry cliffs. Feet to Walk is a new programme of morning brisk walking at parks, parks connectors and nature reserve.

Time: 8am-10.30am
Start point: Gate along Bukit Batok East Ave 2
End point: Gate along Bukit Batok East Ave 2
Website: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/feet_to_walk/

24 Nov (Sat): Recycling Day 2007

Want to know more about the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle)? Want to recycle your recyclables (paper, plastics, cans and glass) and yet win attractive prizes? Want to do your part for the environment? Come join us for Recycling Day 2007 on 24 Nov 07 (Saturday),

Exchange recyclables for daily items Plus, be a Champion Recycler and stand chance to win vouchers!

Vote for your favorite entries in the Photojournalism Competition & Reusable bags Design competition

Learn more about 3Rs ( Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) through the 3Rs funfair games and exhibition booth

Time: 10am-6 pm
Venue: Central Stage @ Ang Mo Kio Central (beside Jubilee Entertainment Centre, in front of Blk 720)
Website: http://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=2582

Recycling Day events will also be held at these locations:
Bukit Batok Central Opp Blk 628A
Pasir Ris St 11 Blk 109 open space
Punggol CC at 3 Hougang Ave 6.

24 Nov (Sat): Plant Highlights at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

A guided tour.

Love to eat chocolates? Seen a cherry tree? Here's your chance to see cocoa trees, a local cheery tree and many more in this tour highlighting interesting and useful plants in the Children's Garden. If you are lucky, you may even have a close brush with the animals and insects that live amongst the trees and plants in the garden.

Suitable for P1 - P6 levels.

Pre-registration required. Registration closes two days before the event.

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $6 per child/parent
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/education/workshopchi.asp
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens 6471 9961

23 Nov (Fri): Chek Jawa intertidal walk

An easy stroll along seagrass meadows to view rich marine life. Large sea anemones, sea stars, strange crabs and more! Also learn more about the other rare marine habitats on one of our last vast natural shores. You will get your feet wet, and must wear covered footwear for your safety.

Suitable for young children 5 years and above.

Pre-registration required.

More about Chek Jawa on the wildsingapore website and NParks website. The intertidal walks at Chek Jawa are conducted by the volunteers of Ubin NParks.

Time: 2.30pm
Venue: In front of the Volunteer Hub at Pulau Ubin (formerly the basketball court)
Contact: Ubin NParks at 6542-4108

23 Nov (Fri): Recycling is Fun!

Do you know what is recycling and why we need to recycle? Come join us in this hands-on session to learn about recycling and have fun making a cardboard figure from recycled materials. Conducted by the National Library volunteers.

For kids 4-6 years old. Limited to 15 children.

Time: 3-3.50pm
Venue: Bukit Batok Community Library - Activities Room
Cost: $2/child
Website and contact: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/

22 Nov (Thu): Highlights at Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

A talk on the newly opened Children's Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Hear more about plants of many colours, shapes and sizes, textures and feel in our Sensory Garden. Growing here are also plants for drinks, plants for dyes and plants that grow on other plants! Have fun at the fantastic forest which includes a tree house, a pond, a suspension bridge and a cave! Plenty to do here, plenty to see!

Suitable for K1 - P6 levels.

Pre-registration required. Registration closes two days before the event.

Time: 10-10.30am
Cost: $2.50 per child/parent
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/education/workshopchi.asp
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens 6471 9961

21 Nov (Wed): Nature Society Conservation Chat

for NSS members only;

Confirmed agenda for this session (a) NSS Proposal for Reforming Wild Animals and Birds Act (WABA); and (b) PUB's Response to NSS Feedback on the ABC Waters Programme. Held every three months, this chat serves as an informal gathering for members concerned about nature conservation in Singapore. Topics/issues for discussiono will depend on what surfaces in the months leading up to the session. Proposals on any other topic or issues are welcomed. Come to foster camaraderie and to share your fertile mind on any conservation issue.

Contact: Ho Hua Chew hohc@starhub.net.sg.

Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Nature Society (Singapore), 510 Geylang Road, The Sunflower #02-05 Junction of Geylang Road and Lorong 28 Closest MRT is Aljunied.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

20 Nov (Tue): Amazing Water Plants

A guided tour of water plants at the Singapore Botanic Gardens for kids.

Water plants are interesting group of plants that have adapted to living in or on water. How do water plants stay afloat? Learn about the special characteristics of water plants in this tour. You will also be amazed by the water creatures that live in the pond too.

Suitable for K1 - P6 levels.

Pre-registration required. Registration closes two days before the event.

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $6 per child/parent
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/education/workshopchi.asp
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens 6471 9961

12-18 Nov: Highlights of the week ahead

Just updated

KidsASIA! A fun-filled and culturally vibrant family event showcasing the rich culture, heritage, traditions and flavours of Asian communities. With nature activities for kids on Saturday and Sunday at the National Library

Highlights of the Week

This week, there are two weekday talks about global warming at NTU and NUS by Prof Richard C. J. Somerville, Lee Kuan Yew Distinguished Visitor. Something not to be missed for those keen on learning more about Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

During the weekend, special events include a Beach Yoga session in support of Acres. Come learn about yoga, go for a beach walk and make a difference for wild animals at the same time!

Also on next Sunday is the Eco-Picnic at Admiralty Park. A new park and a new concept with prizes to be won. A great outing for the family!

Other events for kids includes the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden Carnival. A special outing for the kids in a garden designed specially for them.

For those who love the sea, Dive Hantu with the hantu bloggers.

Active nature lovers can explore Lower Peirce Reservoir and Khatib Bongsu with the briskwalkers at the Feet to Walk events.

There's also walks at the Orchid Garden and mangrove boardwalk of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Now open for bookings:

1 Dec (Sat): Pedal Ubin a free guided cycling tour of this last unspoilt island.

2 Dec (Sun): Chek Jawa Boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs. Let these enthusiastic volunteers introduce you to the shore at high tide!

17-18 Nov (Sat-Sun): AVA's Responsible Pet Ownership Roadshow 2007

Pet abandonment is cruel and should never be an option for any pet owner. Nevertheless, pet abandonment continues to be a problem in Singapore. How can we put a stop to pet abandonment? What should existing and potential pet owners know about keeping a pet for life?

To find out this and more, visit the Roadshow. Highlights include:
- Interactive displays on Responsible Pet Ownership
- 'Ask the Vet' Booth
- Booths by animal welfare groups
- Stage activities and games
- Kids' Corner
- Cute souvenirs

Time: 11.00 am - 10.00 pm
Venue: Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza
Website: http://www.ava.gov.sg/
Contact: feedback form on the AVA website

18 Nov (Sun): Jacob Ballas Children's Garden Carnival

A family-bonding experience to kick off the school holidays with a bang. The first ever carnival dedicated to children at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden.

It will be a fun-filled day out for the entire family featuring innovative games and activities to capture the imagination of the young and young-at-heart. Whether it is exploring the specially built tree house or finding their way through the plant maze, your children will have a blast with our wide array of child-centric amenities.

More about the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden on the Singapore Botanic Gardens website.

Venue: Singapore Botanic Garden
Website:
http://www.sbg.org.sg/carnival07.asp

18 Nov (Sun): Feet To Walk at Lower Peirce Reservoir

Learn to briskwalk the right way and enjoy the flora and fauna of the forested area there. Feet to Walk is a new programme of morning brisk walking at parks, parks connectors and nature reserve.

Time: 8am-10.30am
Shuttle Service Provided: Ang Mo Kio MRT, pick-up 7-7.30am
Start point: Car Park Casuarina Road
End point: Car Park Casuarina Road
Website: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/feet_to_walk/

18 Nov (Sun): Dive Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers

A unique and educational dive experience in our local waters. Discover what is truly, uniquely Singapore!

Your support helps us monitor and document Hantu's reef on a regular basis! Let's see what's waiting for us out there this time!

Pre-registration is required.

Organised by the Hantu Bloggers, check out their blog for more details of the trip and past exciting encounters.

Join the The Hantu Bloggers Yahoo Group to read the trip itinerary, and to be informed of future dives.

Website: http://www.pulauhantu.org/
Contact: hantublog@gmail.com

18 Nov (Sun): Eco-Picnic at Admiralty Park

"Come out and Play, It's No TV Day!" event, with a focus on climate change and energy conservation.

Republic Polytechnic is also organizing the first ever ECO picnic competition in Singapore in conjunction with Clean and Green Singapore (CGS) North West!
This environment friendly event promotes the message of conservation, family bonding and healthy lifestyle. Picnic goers are encouraged to go green in whatever way they can, such as minimizing the use of disposable items, using eco-friendly picnic utensils, caring for the environment.

Other activities include a Green Hike and Mini Sports Station loaded with games like the Environmental Archery, Street Soccer, Tug-of-War.

Time: 8am - 12noon
Venue: Admiralty Park
Website: http://www.cgs.org.sg/

18 Nov (Sun): YEAH! Yoga Session & Beach Nature Walk

Learn Yoga and then go for a relaxing beach nature-guided walk. A special event in support of Acres.

The one-hour Beach Yoga Session is a fun and interactive session focusing on breath awareness, natural movement plus Yoga postures. Enjoy these exciting lessons as you learn to develop your motor-skills, balance, concentration and body awareness. If you never knew that traditional Yoga poses and masssage techniques can improve your posture and energy levels, be amazed by what you're about to learn!

Beach Nature-guided Walk (45 mins): At this relaxed nature stroll, we will look at seaside plantlife and the wildlife that live on them. Such as the pretty Cotton Stainer Bugs feeding on fruits of the Sea Hibiscus. Along the strand-line of the beach, we comb through coastal debris for Attap Chee and other fruits of seaside vegetation to look at their interesting forms and shapes. Beach beasts that we may bump into include moon crabs, sand hoppers and mudskippers.

All proceeds go to ACRES.
TICKETS ARE LIMITED - SIGN UP NOW! Registration required.

Organisors: ACRES, YEAH! and Cicada Tree Eco-place (CTEP)

Time: 4pm
Venue: Open space next to 'Big Splash' (near boat storage) map
To register: Email teresag@starhub.net.sg AND charlene@acres.org.sg
Cost: $30 nett per person (send cheque payment to ACRES) All proceeds go to ACRES
Website: http://www.acres.org.sg/events.htm
Contact: Teresa Teo Guttensohn teresag@starhub.net.sg

18 Nov (Sun): KidsASIA! at the National Library

A fun-filled and culturally vibrant family event showcasing the rich culture, heritage, traditions and flavours of Asian communities. Experience cultural performances by kids for kids, make and play interesting games, listen to entrancing Asian folktales and enjoy the sweetness of forgotten childhood treats.

There are five activity zones including a Discovery Zone to discover science and nature and find out more about the environment and its conservation.

The other zones include a Creativity Zone with Asian-themed craftwork, toy making, mask making and an opportunity for the kids to create the KidsASIA! graffiti wall; a Fun & Action Zone with kampong games.

Admission is free, some programmes require registration on the day itself.

Nature events on 18 Nov (Sun)

Nature and Our Senses: Asian Spices and Herbs Workshop I
12noon to 1pm, by SAKTI Media Pte Ltd

Develop a greater appreciation of Mother Nature and Asian Culture at this interactive workshop just for you. Participants will discover how beautiful works of art are created from the natural materials around us. Be introduced to various types of native flowers used in religious rituals and prayers, as well as herbs and spices that are prominent in Asian dishes. Limited to 30 children between 4 to 8 years old on a first-come-first-served basis. Register at the KidsASIA! information booth.

Nature and Our Senses: Asian Spices and Herbs Workshop I
2-3pm, by SAKTI Media Pte Ltd

Develop a greater appreciation of Mother Nature and Asian Culture at this interactive workshop for you. Participants will discover how beautiful works of art are created from the natural materials around us. Be introduced to various types of native flowers used in religious rituals and prayers, as well as herbs and spices that are prominent in Asian dishes. Limited to 30 children between 4 to 8 years old on a first-come-first-served basis. Register at the KidsASIA! information booth.

Time: 11am – 6pm
Venue: The Plaza, National Library, 100 Victoria Street
Website: http://www.asianchildrenfest.com/kidsasia.htm
Contact:
Poh_Poh_LIM@nlb.gov.sg

17 Nov (Sat): National Orchid Garden tour

A leisurely stroll through a garden of orchids and other special plants.

This walk is conducted by the volunteers of the Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every third Saturday of the month.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am and 4pm, register at Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the tour starts. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Tour duration: One hour.
Cost: While the tour is free, admission charges to the Orchid Garden applies: $5/adult, $1/student, $1/senior citizens (above 60 years) , Child below 12 years - Free
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361

17 Nov (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come -first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30 am and 3.30pm for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

17 Nov (Sat): Feet To Walk at Khatib Bongsu Park Connector

Learn to briskwalk the right way and enjoy the fishing pond there. Feet to Walk is a new programme of morning brisk walking at parks, parks connectors and nature reserve.

Time: 8am-10.30am
Start point: Yishun Park entrance along Yishun Ave 11
End point: Yishun Park
Website: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/feet_to_walk/

17-18 Nov (Sat-Sun): AVA's Responsible Pet Ownership Roadshow 2007

Pet abandonment is cruel and should never be an option for any pet owner. Nevertheless, pet abandonment continues to be a problem in Singapore. How can we put a stop to pet abandonment? What should existing and potential pet owners know about keeping a pet for life?

To find out this and more, visit the Roadshow. Highlights include:
- Interactive displays on Responsible Pet Ownership
- 'Ask the Vet' Booth
- Booths by animal welfare groups
- Stage activities and games
- Kids' Corner
- Cute souvenirs

Time: 11.00 am - 10.00 pm
Venue: Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza
Website: http://www.ava.gov.sg/
Contact: feedback form on the AVA website

17 Nov (Sat): KidsASIA! at the National Library

A fun-filled and culturally vibrant family event showcasing the rich culture, heritage, traditions and flavours of Asian communities. Experience cultural performances by kids for kids, make and play interesting games, listen to entrancing Asian folktales and enjoy the sweetness of forgotten childhood treats.

There are five activity zones including a Discovery Zone to discover science and nature and find out more about the environment and its conservation.

The other zones include a Creativity Zone with Asian-themed craftwork, toy making, mask making and an opportunity for the kids to create the KidsASIA! graffiti wall; a Fun & Action Zone with kampong games.

Admission is free, some programmes require registration on the day itself.

Nature events on 17 Nov (Sat)

Nature and our Environment Workshop I – Biodiversity in Singapore
1-2pm, by CreativeKids Pte Ltd

Have you ever wonder about nature and the environment? Come join us for the Eco games available and learn more about our local natural heritage. Limited to 30 children between 5 to 12 years old on a first-come-first-served basis. Register at the KidsASIA! information booth.

Nature and our Environment Workshop II - Interconnectivity
3-4pm, by CreativeKids Pte Ltd

We are all interconnected to our environment in some way. Come join us for the Eco games available which teach us about the interactions and interconnectivity in nature. Special feature includes ‘Web of Life’. Limited to 30 children between 5 to 12 years old on a first-come-first-served basis. Register at the KidsASIA! information booth.

Nature and our Environment Workshop III - Conservation
5-6pm, by CreativeKids Pte Ltd

Learning about the environment is not enough; we have to also learn about how best to protect it. Join us as we find out more through Eco games. Limited to 30 children between 5 to 12 years old on a first-come-first-served basis. Register at the KidsASIA! information booth.

Time: 11am – 6pm
Venue: The Plaza, National Library, 100 Victoria Street
Website: http://www.asianchildrenfest.com/kidsasia.htm
Contact:
Poh_Poh_LIM@nlb.gov.sg

16 Nov (Fri): Science Informing Policy: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

a free public talk by Prof Richard C. J. Somerville,
Lee Kuan Yew Distinguished Visitor;

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has become the de facto voice of the mainstream scientific community, as the world seeks to understand the findings of climate science and their relevance to public policy. The IPCC has been immensely influential in the debate over anthropogenic climate change, and it has affected efforts to limit the emissions of gases that increase the greenhouse effect and cause global warming. The IPCC was established in 1988 to provide an authoritative assessment of results from climate science as an input to policymakers. Its mandate is to assess research, not to do research. Its reports are policyrelevant but not policy-prescriptive. Thousands of scientists throughout the world have contributed to the IPCC effort. This talk provides an IPCC participant’s view of what the IPCC is and how it works.

Richard C. J. Somerville is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, USA. He is a theoretical meteorologist and an expert on computer simulations of the atmosphere.

Time: 6pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 2, Nanyang Avenue
Contact: NTU at ccomms@ntu.edu.sg
Website: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/lkydvp/home/somervillenuslecture.htm

14 Nov (Wed): Talk on Papa Frogs in New Guinea

Dr David Bickford will speak on "Ecology and Evolution of Parental Care in Microhylid Frogs from New Guinea".

More details on the habitatnews blog

which also provides this link "Frog Fathers Provide Transport, Piggyback Style,"
by Bijal P. Trivedi. National Geographic Today, 07 Aug 2002.

Time: 2pm
Venue: Seminar Room 3, Block S2 #02-06, Department of Biological Sciences, the National University of Singapore

13 Nov (Tue): Global Warming: The Latest Word on the Best Science

a free public talk by Prof Richard C. J. Somerville,
Lee Kuan Yew Distinguished Visitor;

An international group of experts has just completed a thorough assessment of recent research on climate change science. This sobering document, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007, calls warming of the climate system “unequivocal” and attributes most of the observed recent global warming to human activities, with a confidence level of 90% or more. At the same time, new research shows that previous IPCC projections have not exaggerated the climate changes observed since 1990 and may even have underestimated some aspects of them. As human activities continue to modify the climate system, what will the implications be for rising sea level, hurricanes, and other phenomena? This talk summarizes the key scientific findings and points out areas where scientific confidence is high as well as unsolved scientific issues which await further research progress.

Richard C. J. Somerville is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, USA. He is a theoretical meteorologist and an expert on computer simulations of the atmosphere.

Time: 6pm
Venue: Theatre, University Cultural Centre
Contact: Mr Daniel Tan at LKYDVPL@nus.edu.sg
Website: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/lkydvp/home/somervillenuslecture.htm

Need help organising a nature event?

For the latest list of nature guides and nature groups offering organised nature events, see the wildsingapore website.

What's this blog about?

Singapore has LOTS of wild places left! And plenty of wild activities. This blog is a one-stop location to showcase these events: talks, walks, volunteer opportunities and more. Many of them free or at nominal cost, and suitable for kids and the family.

The blog is updated regularly. Drop by to find out what's on this weekend. Or subscribe to the blog by rss or email updates (see left column, scroll to the bottom).

You CAN make a difference for our wild places.

EXPLORING them is an easy and enjoyable first step.

How to use this blog?
Here are more details.

Other questions?

Where is the old wildsingapore website?!
Still there, no worries. The plan is for the website to host more static pages such as fact sheets. And the website will continue to grow, but not as rapidly as the daily wild stuff.

So where are all the daily updates of wild stuff?
There's a widget on the wildsingapore website homepage that displays all the updates from the following feeds:
This wild happenings blog
The wild news blog of daily media reports
And the wildsingapore google reader of the very many blog entries about our wild places.

Why did I convert the website to blogs?
The wildsingapore website had so far been done by me alone. It was quite taxing to do daily website updates by hand in html and via ftp. I was spending 2-3 hours every day just doing this There were many times when I contemplated just giving it up altogether.

Hopefully, this arrangement will make it easier for me to sustain the effort. Also, with the blogs, anyone can also help with updating. In this way, wildsingapore can be more of a community effort! Which was not possible with the website.

With the change to a blog, you can now…
  • Subscribe to feeds of these blogs.
  • Download widgets of these and put them up on your own blog.
  • Make comments and discuss the entries.
The change also allows me…
  • To provide more instant updates via a web browser.
  • Since it's much easier to update on the blogs, a wider range of news, events and issues can be covered.
  • To invite others to help contribute, for a more vibrant and comprehensive coverage of wild issues and events.
Any comments about this blog?

I'd love to hear from you if you have ideas on improving the blog. Or any other ideas for raising awareness of our wonderful wild places.

Do leave a comment (below, see how useful a blog is!)
Or email me at hello@wildsingapore.com

Thank you!

This blog, as in everything else that I do, would not have been possible without the kindness, patience and generous sharing offered by many volunteers. Thank you all of you too!

Your nature event on this blog

I'll be glad to feature your Singapore nature event on this blog.

Just email me, Ria at hello@wildsingapore.com with these details

(a) Title of event

(b) Date and day of event
(Please double check that these are correct)

(c) Time/duration of event

(d) Venue/meeting point

(e) Is it free? If not, what are the charges?
(Please note: in this blog I prefer to feature not-for-profit efforts that are affordable and relevant to ordinary people and families.)

(f) Your blog/website with more information.
(Please ensure your url goes to the correct location. Please don't make me hunt through your site or google in vain to find the correct url.)

(g) POINT of CONTACT: email or telephone of a human being (not machine) who can provide more information. This is very important. I often get readers asking for more info about an event. Without a contact number or email to forward to readers, it is a waste of everyone's time. So I regret that I will NOT post any events that do not offer a point of contact.

(h) BRIEF description of event in TEXT (one paragraph is ideal)
Please don't make me summarise a two-page write-up or long complicated email about your event. Please don't make me re-type from an image or a protected pdf of your poster (I will usually give up posting your event in this instance). Please help me by giving me a concise, enticing description of your event. You can include a link to a longer description on your web resources.

(i) If you want to, ONE photo of your event is acceptable.
SMALL please. Nothing exceeding 216pixel wide, 72dpi.
You can include a link to more photos.

DO NOT send these please
Large photos
Large posters
Large maps of locations
Long details and background materials to your event.
These should be hosted on your blog/website. I cannot post them here, but will be glad to add a link to your blog/website.