20-26 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family


Walks in wild places


Make a wild difference!


For Nature Society (Singapore) members only



MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

26 Feb (Sun): Coastal Clean-up at Mandai Mudflats

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Join us to clean up the Mandai Mudflats to benefit its thriving wildlife. Designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA), this stretch of coastline is a key habitat for horseshoe crabs and an important feeding site for wading birds.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 3.30pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Mandai Mudflats
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

25 Feb (Sat): Mandarin guided tour at Sungei Buloh

Join us for a morning guided walk around the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
This guided walk is suitable for everyone, including families with children.

The walk will be cancelled in the event of rain. Number of participants is limited to 20 people. Minimum number of participants is 5. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre. Please meet at the Information Counter, Kranji Way entrance
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

25 Feb (Sat): Butterfly Walk at Singapore Botanic Gardens

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Explore the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Healing Garden, Fragrant Garden, and Evolutionary Garden (areas close to the Eco Lake and bamboo stands) for butterflies. We hope to spot our National Butterfly the Common Rose, the Common Birdwing (one of the largest butterflies in Singapore), and the Bamboo Tree Brown. Butterflies frequently seen here include the Painted Jezebel, Common Mormon, Common Grass Yellow, Cycad Blue and Striped Albatross.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Visitor Centre (Nassim Gate, near the junction of Nassim and Cluny Roads) close to the nature shop.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

25 Feb (Sat): Fort Canning Spice Garden Tour

You may have tasted nutmeg and clove in various cuisines, but have you ever seen their trees?
Join this free guided walk through the Spice Garden, which was once the site of Singapore’s first Botanical and Experimental Garden started by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1822!

Maximum 40 persons. More details and registration online.

Time: 9am -10.30am
Venue: Meeting Point, at the Roundabout, between Fort Canning Arts Center and Hotel Fort Canning
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

25 Feb (Sat): Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs

The Naked Hermit Crabs introduce you to Chek Jawa without getting your feet wet. Even though we are not going on to the shore, there is still much to see and enjoy. There are monitor lizards, fiddler crabs, spiders, rare plants, wild boar, mudskippers and lots of fruit trees. If we are lucky, we might even spot the Oriental Pied Hornbill, White-bellied Sea Eagle and the giant Atlas Moth.
Not more than five persons in a group, pre-register with this online form.

More details on the event and how to get to Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin on the Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs blog.

Time: 9.30am meet at the Chek Jawa Info Kiosk, Pulau Ubin. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin and to Chek Jawa.
Duration: Two hours
Cost: no charge for now, but donations accepted.
Website: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/
Contact: nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

25 Feb (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit TImah

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Bukit Timah. Although commonly seen, they are very misunderstood. Few seeing them realise anything about the social world these monkeys live in. They have kin networks, power struggles, friends, foes, and an otherwise complex social network. In many ways, they provide a mirror of our own sociality.
If you would like to learn more about your community and the interesting world of your neighbouring macaques at Macritchie, please join our free walk, led by experts from the Jane Goodall Institute Singapore.

Suitable for adults and children above 8 years.

More details and registration online.

Time: 5pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, BTNR Visitor Centre's Front Courtyard, Visitor Centre Front Courtyard
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

25 Feb (Sat): What's in my water?

What's that swimming in the water? A fish, a worm, an insect or a crocodile!? Join us for an interesting morning walk getting to know the creatures and plants that lives in and around the water edges of Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre. Please meet at Information Counter, Visitor Centre (Kranji Way entrance)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

25 Feb (Sat): Race Against Time - Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

This session introduces the research facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens such as the Library of Botany and Horticulture, Orchid and Micro-propagation laboratory and the Herbarium.
Highlights of this 45-minute tour includes a visit to the Herbarium which stores physical records of reference plant materials, some dating as far back as 1790. In addition, learn about our hybridization programme for orchids, a process introduced back in 1930’s by the then Director, R.E Holttum.

Limited to 25 people, for ages 9 and above.

This tour repeats every fourth Saturday. More details online.

Time: 10am, registration is required at the Service Desk 15-minutes before the scheduled start time.
Venue: Botany Centre, Tanglin Gate (nearest MRT is Orchard station)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

25 Feb (Sat): Guided tour of Flower Trail of the Gardens

Participants will have the opportunity to take a closer look at selected flowering plants to learn about their beautiful colours and explore different parts of a flower as well as their different functions. The guided tour will introduce the variety of flowering plants in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Suitable for children in K1 – P6 levels. Registration online.


Time: 10am - 11am
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Visitor Services Desk at Tanglin Gate Botany Centre, Botany Centre, Tanglin Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying adult. Please make the payment on the spot on the event date itself.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19 Feb (Sun): NSS Kids’ Fun with Nature at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve fully reopened its trails in October 2016, after two years of restorative works including new boardwalks, rope handrails, non-slip paths and reinforced slopes. Uncle Si Guim will lead us on a nature walk along the South View and Kruing trails. Be captivated by the giant and diminutive lifeforms coexisting in this rare patch of primary rainforest.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 8am - 10am
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Cost: Member: $2 per child, Non-Member: $10 per child. Fees will be collected on the spot. Parents, caregivers and older siblings are encouraged to join in at no charge.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

19 Feb (Sun): Love MacRitchie Walk by Toddycats - Venus Drive

Join the NUS Toddycats of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in discovering the forest! Learn about amazing plants and animals living in our backyard as part of the Love Our MacRitchie Forest movement.
The Cross Island MRT Line (CRL) site investigation works are slated to begin this month. How will the works affect the forest and wildlife? Come join us learn about the conservation issues surrounding the proposed CRL through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

The forest trail at Venus Loop is a dirt path, which is relatively level and suitable for children and the elderly. Be prepared for some mud.

This guided walk is conducted by volunteers and is free-of-charge. Limited spaces available.

More details and registration online.

Time: 8.30am - 11.30am
Venue: Venus Drive
Website: http://lovemacritchie.wordpress.com/

18 Feb (Sat): Critter Cribs Workshop for kids

Join this workshop by Mr Andrew Tay of Cicada Tree Eco Place and get to know some of our native wild critters and the creative cribs that they build, through hands-on study of some specimens of critters’ homes and a guided walk.

For children aged 6 to 10 years old.

More details and registration online.

Time: 11am - 12.30pm
Meeting point: HortPark, Lifestyle Corner
Fee: $25 per person

18 Feb (Sat): MacRitchie Nature Walk with BES Drongos

Join the volunteers of BES Drongos on a remarkable adventure through the stunning forests in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve along the well-trodden Petai Trail!
The BES Drongos are a group of nature lovers from the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) programme at the National University of Singapore (NUS) who have come together to manage guided walks open to everyone and anyone. We want to bring people to appreciate and understand local biodiversity and our ecological systems in Singapore through our guided walks on the Petai Trail at Macritchie Reservoir Park.

More information and registration online.

Time: 8.45am to 12noon
Website: http://besdrongos.wordpress.com/

18 Feb (Sat): National Orchid Garden guided tour

Explore the beauty and diversity of orchids in the National Orchid Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens. Over 1000 species and 2,000 hybrids are now found in the Gardens' collection, with about 600 species and hybrids on display. Every year, more vibrant and enduring hybrids are added on
Full map at http://www.sbg.org.sg/map_nog.htm

This walk is conducted by the volunteers of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

A tour in Mandarin is also conducted at 4pm.

More details online.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (English) and 4pm (Mandarin), register at Visitor Centre, Nassim Gate, 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.nparks.gov.sg/`

18 Feb (Sat): Kampong Tour at Pulau Ubin

Take a walk with us to experience Ubin's wonderful natural and cultural heritage. The 2.2km trail takes about 2 hours to complete. The tour will start at the Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub and take you through the spice trees around Jelutong campsite, Butterfly Hill, Pekan Quarry, Sensory Trail Ponds, Kampong House, Old Bin Kiang School site, Toa Pek Kong Temple and end at the Wayang Stage. You will hear about the use of spices in cooking and the interesting history of the different sites.
Do you know what the Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub was in the 1970s? When was the Toa Pek Kong Temple built? If you would like to know, then this is an excellent introduction to the heritage of the island.

For all ages, children under the age of 13 to be under parental/guardian guidance.

Limited to 4 groups, each group a maximum of 15 people. Register online.

Time: 9.30 - 11.30am
Venue: Meet at Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub, a 10-min walk from Ubin Jetty. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin.
Cost: Guided tours charges: SGD$60.00 / Group (for a maximum of 15 people) Only payment via cheque are allowed until further notice. 4 groups per day allowed, each group can accommodate a maximum of 15 people
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

18 Feb (Sat): What's in my mangrove?

Mangrove forests are living borders of the freshwater and salt water. Out of 73 true mangroves species worldwide, 22 can be found in Sungei Buloh.
Join this free morning walk and get to know the mangrove trees and plants of Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Visitor Centre. Please meet at the Information Counter, Kranji Way entrance
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

6-12 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead


For kids and the family



Walks in wild places



Make a wild difference!



Kayaking!



MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.


12 Feb (Sun): Kayaking Mandai Mangroves

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Join Huey in exploring the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) of Mandai mangroves. We will kayak along Sungei Mandai Besar and Sungei Mandai Kechil where large stands of mature mangroves exist alongside abandoned kampongs. This coastal tract is home to a permanent population of horseshoe crabs. We might spot resident Brahminy Kites and White-bellied Sea Eagles circling overhead, or the migratory Osprey and other overwintering birds. This paddle is suitable for beginners as the kayaks used are stable double-seaters.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 7.45am - 11am
Details will be emailed upon successful registration.
Cost: Member: $100, Non-member: $125
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Feb (Sun): FREE Guided Herp Walk @ Bukit Timah

Herps are reptiles like lizards and snakes, and amphibians like frogs. Let the HSS volunteers introduce you to some delightful and interesting herps in their inaugural walk.
In an effort to promote an awareness of Singapore’s natural and historical heritage, and to promote conversations amongst Singaporeans, the Herpetological Society of Singapore has begun the Herp Walk @ Lower Peirce. We want to raise awareness, in particular, about Herps! These misunderstood creatures are often thought of as scary or unnecessary. But we want to show Singaporeans that Herps are important and integral to the Singaporean ecosystem!

The walk is free but registration is required online.

Time: 8am - 11am
Venue: Successful registrants will be informed of the Meeting Point via email. More details on their blog.
Website: https://herpsocsg.wordpress.com/

11 Feb (Sat): Life in the Wetlands

Celebrate World Wetlands Day 2017 with us at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve!
Join us for a guided walk around Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to discover the different wildlife living in the wetlands. More details and registration online.
Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre. Please meet at Information Counter, Visitor Centre (Kranji Way entrance)

Other activities include

Art Exhibition by Wildlife Art Society Singapore
Be mesmerised by the beauty of nature as portrayed in art by various local talents
Date: 11 - 25 Feb
Time: 9am - 5pm
Venue: Api-api Lab, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre.

Living Wetlands
Check out our specimen booth where you can see a live aquaria display of mangrove saplings and micro-organisms that live in the wetlands.
Time 9am - 12noon
Venue: Information Counter, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre.

Wishing Tree
Mangroves are important to the Reserve. Don't miss this opportunity to pen your wishes for our mangroves at the Wishing Tree.
Time 9am - 12noon
Venue: Information Counter, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre.

Colourful Wetlands
Bring out the artist in you and add colours to the wetlands.
Time 9am - 12noon
Venue: Information Counter, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre.

11 Feb (Sat): Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Programme

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Horseshoe crabs (HSC) are in decline globally due to the loss of habitat, poaching and overfishing. They also get trapped in abandoned fishing nets and need our help to set them free. With such concerns, NSS aims to continually monitor our local HSC population to ensure that they stay around for many generations to come. Things to bring: cap, shoes/booties, sunblock, repellent, cutter for horseshoe crab rescue and camera. Washing facilities available after the event.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 3.30pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Kranji Loop. Details will be emailed upon successful registration.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

11 Feb (Sat): Fun Walk along The Southern Ridges

Take your family on a leisure stroll through southern ridges, a soothing sanctuary of greenery that is not only steeped in history but also home to some of Singapore's most exciting flora and fauna.
Highlights of this free tour includes the Henderson Waves, Sembcorp Forest of the Giants, Forest Walk and the Singing Forest.

More details and registration online.

Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Entrance of Henderson Waves (At Mount Faber Park side)
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

11 Feb (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of MacRitchie

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Macritchie Reservoir Park. Although commonly seen, they are very misunderstood. Few seeing them realise anything about the social world these monkeys live in. They have kin networks, power struggles, friends, foes, and an otherwise complex social network. In many ways, they provide a mirror of our own sociality.
If you would like to learn more about your community and the interesting world of your neighbouring macaques at Macritchie, please join our free walk, led by experts from the Jane Goodall Institute Singapore.

Suitable for adults and children above 8 years.

More details and register online.

Time: 5pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Meet at Mushroom Cafe at Macritchie Reservoir Park. The walk will be at Macritchie Reservoir Park, Lawn @ Paddle Lodge
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

11 Feb (Sat): Rain Forest Tour at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Discover the enchantment of our tropical rain forest with our volunteer guides in this one-hour tour.

Tours in Mandarin are available at 10am and 4pm.

This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NPark's Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every second Saturday of the month. More details online.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am and 4pm; Register 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre, Nassim Gate.
Tour duration: One hour.
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

11 Feb (Sat): What's in my sky?

Birdwatchers, join us in this free guided walk and learn to identify many amazing birds of different species that passes through or make Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve their home.

Limited to 20 persons. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre
Please meet at Information Counter, Neo Tiew entrance
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

11 Feb (Sat): I heART Nature Workshop for kids

This interactive free parent-child bonding session includes interesting art and craft activities and a short nature appreciation walk.
For children ages 5 to 7. Child must be accompanied by 1 parent. Maximum 10 children. Register online.

Time: 9am - 10.30am
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, BTNR Visitor Centre's Front Courtyard
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Feb (Fri): Chek Jawa Intertidal Guided Tour

Join the NParks volunteers for a tour to discover and learn about Chek Jawa's six ecosystems and the diverse array of animals that inhabits these unique habitats.
Journey through the Chek Jawa Visitor Centre, 1.1km long boardwalk, Jejawi viewing tower and sandbar with experienced guides.

Open to all ages, children under the age of 13 to be under parental/guardian guidance. More details and registration online, 'waitlist' will appear once event is fully booked.

Time: 3pm - 5pm
Venue: Pulau Ubin, Open Lawn (Chek Jawa Visitor Centre). More on how to get to Pulau Ubin and to Chek Jawa.
Cost: $60 per group (for a maximum of 15 people)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

9 Feb (Thu): Chek Jawa Intertidal Guided Tour

Join the NParks volunteers for a tour to discover and learn about Chek Jawa's six ecosystems and the diverse array of animals that inhabits these unique habitats.
Journey through the Chek Jawa Visitor Centre, 1.1km long boardwalk, Jejawi viewing tower and sandbar with experienced guides.

Open to all ages, children under the age of 13 to be under parental/guardian guidance. More details and registration online, 'waitlist' will appear once event is fully booked.

Time: 3pm - 5pm
Venue: Pulau Ubin, Open Lawn (Chek Jawa Visitor Centre). More on how to get to Pulau Ubin and to Chek Jawa.
Cost: $60 per group (for a maximum of 15 people)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

4 Feb (Sat): FREE Ubin mangrove walk to Celebrate World Wetlands Day with R.U.M.

World Wetlands Day which falls on 2 Feb and volunteers of the Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative will celebrate by sharing Ubin's awesome mangroves with you on this free tour.
FREE mangrove walk with the Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative
This leisurely walk starting from Ubin Town introduces nearby mangroves and Ubin people and kampung culture.

All are welcomed! The event is free but registration is required as there are limited slots. More details about R.U.M.'s free Ubin mangrove walk and registration online.

Time: 10.30am to about 12.30pm
Meeting point: Gather at Uncle Lim's shop at Ubin Town, 3min walk from the Ubin Jetty.
Website: http://rum-initiative.blogspot.sg/

4 Feb (Sat): Forest Clean-Up at Pulau Ubin

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Pulau Ubin is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) with various healthy habitats rich in animals and plants. Make a difference by helping to clean up its forest. Learn about the negative effects of litter and how you can become a better steward of nature.

Registration and more details on the NSS website.

Time: 9am - 12.30pm
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

4 Feb (Sat): What's in my mud?

The mud at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a key habitat for the plants and animals. This unique habitat is full of surprises!
Get close and personal to the mud and observe the rich biodiversity; critical to the ecosystem at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Join us for an interesting free guided walk featuring our lesser known creatures of the mudflats in Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre, meet at the Information Counter.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

4 Feb (Sat): Free tour of the Healing Garden, Botanic Gardens

Launched in October 2011, the Healing Garden showcases over 400 varieties of plants used medicinally. It is laid out thematically relating to component parts of the body such as head, respiratory and reproductive systems. Spread over 2.5 hectares, this garden is designed as a tranquil retreat with medical plants traditionally used in Southeast Asia as the main focus.
Please note that the Healing Garden is closed every Tuesday, and opened 5am - 7.30pm daily. Admission is free.

Registration is required 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre. Mandarin tours are only available at 10am. English tours are available for all slots. This tour repeats every First Saturday of the month. More details online.

This walk is conducted every first Saturday of the month.

Time: 9am - 10am, please register 15 minutes before the tour
Venue: Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Nassim Gate
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/