24-30 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Southern Ridges walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs.

Special events

• Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers.
• 25 Aug (Tue): Screening of "The Cove"

Walks in wild places

• Mangrove at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Nature and Heritage walk at Fort Canning Park.
• Guided walk at HortPark.

Talks

• 28 Aug (Fri): Debate and Public Forum on Sharks and Shark's Fin
• 27 Aug (Thu): Green Drinks with 100% biodegradable bags

Early next week

• 1 Sep (Tue): Talk on "Cultivating the Native Plants of Singapore"

Registration now open

• 13 Sep (Sun): Screening of "The End of the Line" by WWF
• 12 Sep (Sat): Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh

Exhibitions

• August: Kranji Countryside promotion
• 8 Aug-22 Nov: "I Polunin" social and natural history of Singapore and Malaya
• 1-30 Aug: "Wallace & Darwin, the Two Faces of Evolution Theory"
• 25 Jul - 21 Sep: Hunters and Collectors: The Origins of the Southeast Asian Collection

Visit the wildsingapore happenings blog for a full listing of upcoming events for the next three weeks and to search for events by your area of interest.

Photo of the week is this charming spider shared by James on his Singapore Nature blog and seen in the mangroves of Pulau Ubin.

090816pulauubin-021, originally uploaded by [wj].

30 Aug (Sun): 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 Sunday morning, subject to availability of guides.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) 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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

30 Aug (Sun): Dive Pulau 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 upcoming trip and to register online.

From the Hantu Bloggers: "The Hantu Blog Dives are integral to our work on the island. More than just an educational field trip, our dives are also our primary source of funding to develop and maintain public education work in schools and at national events. By joining our dives, you’ll not only be signing up for an insightful and eye-opening weekend, you’ll also be contributing to our efforts to safe guard Pulau Hantu and its marine life."

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

30 Aug (Sun): Southern Ridges walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Southern Ridges Walk offers a fascinating look at Adinandra belukar forest and open country. To find out what sets them apart from the dense primary forest of Bukit Timah, come join Uncle Joe as he teases apart for you the characteristics of these essential (but often overlooked and understated) vegetation types so you understand why they are important to the overall ecology of the forests of Singapore and the biodiversity found therein.

Minimum 20 pax for walk to go ahead.

Advance registration & payment is required. Register with Celine Low contact@cicadatree.org.sg

Time: 9-11am
Meeting point: The walk will start at Hort Park and end at Henderson Wave.
Cost: $13 per person (adult or child).
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/
Contact: Celine Low contact@cicadatree.org.sg

29 Aug (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: 9.30am 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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

29 Aug (Sat): Nature and Heritage 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

29 Aug (Sat): Guided walk at HortPark

This free tour of HortPark features HortGardens, a collection of 20 theme gardens and the GardenPatch, a patchwork of display plots showcasing garden designs, concepts and products by local gardening-related companies. See nurserymen at work, propagating plants for our garden city.

This tour is conducted every last Saturday of the month.

Please register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first served basis.

Time: 10-11.30 am
Venue: Register at Visitor Information Counter @ HortPark
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 64715601 or NPARKS_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg

29 Aug (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 boars, 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.

More about the walk on the Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs.

The free walk will be held every last Saturday of the month. (Previously every last Sunday of the month).

Not more than six persons in a group please.

A message from the Crabs:

Drop us a line at nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com to let us know us know that you're coming. We will give you a reply to confirm your place. However, if you have not registered with us but feel like showing up on the day itself, do come along anyway. If yours is a small group, we should be able to take you in as well.

Time: 3 pm meet at the Chek Jawa Info Kiosk
Duration: Two hours
Cost: no charge for now, but donations accepted.
Website: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/
Contact: nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

28 Aug (Fri): Debate and Public Forum on Sharks and Shark's Fin

Are sharks killed mainly for their fins, their meat or both? Some believe that it is western propaganda that sharks are killed mainly for their fins, saying instead that they are slaughtered chiefly for their meat. However, the majority viewpoint is that the demand for shark’s fin is the key factor driving sharks towards extinction.

Hear both sides of the story and watch the exciting debate between proponents of the two camps. The debaters include Dr Giam Choo Hoo, an Asian representative at CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) meetings, and Louis Ng, Executive Director of ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society).

This debate and public forum will be chaired by Dr Shawn Lum, President of NSS, and is open to all including NSS members, the public and the media. Venue: to be announced on the NSS website and various email loops one week before the date of the debate. The venue can also be checked by calling the NSS office.

Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Training Room P303, Spring Singapore, 2 Bukit Merah Central, Singapore 159835
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

27 Aug (Thu): Green Drinks with 100% biodegradable bags

Because you want to engage in a greater conversation about the environment, and steer it towards a positive outcome for the world.

This month, Richard Chang from Biostarch champions the merits of 100% water soluble, 100% compostable and 100% biodegradeble bags.

Richard will give us a background of Biostarch and their bio bags, as well as demonstrate its water solubility. A range of samples will be available for viewing and touching on the day!

Time: 8-10pm
Venue: Food #03, 109 Rowell Road (Off Serangoon Rd in Little India) map
Website: Green Drinks Facebook Group
Contact: olivia@greendrinks.org

25 Aug (Tue): Screening of "The Cove"

Catch an exclusive ACRES preview screening of this film followed by a dialogue session with guest speaker Ms. Anbarasi Boopal, Director of the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC).

"The Cove" is a fascinating, internationally-acclaimed documentary exposing the shocking truths about the killings of dolphins and, most importantly, how you can play a part to help them.

In the 1960’s, Richard O’Barry was the world’s leading authority on dolphin training, working on the set of the popular television programme Flipper. Day in and day out, O’Barry kept the dolphins working and television audiences smiling. But one day, that all came to a tragic end. "The Cove", directed by Louie Psihoyos, tells the amazing story of how Psihoyos, O’Barry and an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The mysteries they covered were only the tip of the iceberg.

More about "The Cove"
More about ACRES

Time: 7pm
Venue: Cinema Europa, GV VivoCity
Ticket Price: $10, student Price: $8
(only for sale at GV VivoCity Box Office)
More details at http://www.gv.com.sg/moviedetails/gv_moviedetails_0346.jsp

17-23 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• MAD lessons on strange plants on Thursday and Sunday

Walks in our wild places

• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Guided walk at Evolution Garden

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Birdwatching at Bukit Brown
• Plant Walk at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park
• Pulau Ubin Ramble

Talks

• 18 Aug (Tue): Talk on "How good is your river?"
• 18 Aug (Tue): Talk on "Confessions of a Nature Addict" by Prof Leo Tan.
• 20 Aug (Thu): Talk on "An Orientalist's Treasure Trove"
• 21 Aug (Fri): Talk on "The Life Of A Tree Climber"
  
• 23 Aug (Sun): Talk on "Saving Money and Saving the Earth - Can One Have it All?" by Shawn Lum

Exhibitions and more

• Green Transport Week from 22 Aug
  
• August: Kranji Countryside promotion
  
• 8 Aug-22 Nov: "I Polunin" social and natural history of Singapore and Malaya
• 1-30 Aug: "Wallace & Darwin, the Two Faces of Evolution Theory"
• 25 Jul - 21 Sep: Hunters and Collectors: The Origins of the Southeast Asian Collection

Registration now open

• 12 Sep (Sat): Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
• 30 Aug (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers
• 30 Aug (Sun), 16 Aug (Sun): Southern Ridges walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 29 Aug (Sat): Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs

Visit the wildsingapore happenings blog for a full listing of upcoming events for the next three weeks and to search for events by your area of interest.

Photos of the week are the seahorses of Singapore. Visit the new flickr group on Seahorse Sightings in Singapore for a look at our seahorses. If you have sighted seahorses, please do share your photo on the flickr group.

Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), originally uploaded by wildsingapore.

23 Aug (Sun): Birdwatching at Bukit Brown

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Wing Chong leads this session. We will take a casual walk around this unique and quiet corner of Singapore. The area is well-covered with huge trees and other vegetation. Expect to see a mix of parkland, open country and forest birds such as babblers, bulbuls, doves, flowerpeckers, parakeets, sunbirds and woodpeckers.

Time: 7.30am, meet at the junction of Sime Road and Kheam Hock Road near the entrance to the historical Bukit Brown Chinese cemetery.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

23 Aug (Sun): MAD lessons on strange plants

Some plants have strange qualities... some eat up bugs, whilst others feed bugs which care for them in return. Other plants chase bugs away by the smell they give off! Some plants have sweet leaves or shoots which may be eaten, while others are poisonous and cannot be eaten. Come learn interesting fun facts about strange plants.

In this lesson, you will learn how natural and organic herbal repellent for the not-so-friendly bugs in our lives is made. This MAD lesson will also include information about how you can be part of the solution to protect our environment and wild habitats.

For kids aged 5-10 years.

Registration required: email Celine Low contact@cicadatree.org.sg

Time: 2.30 to 4.30pm
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
Cost: $15 per child which includes a lovely badge.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/
Contact: Celine Low contact@cicadatree.org.sg

23 Aug (Sun): Talk on "Saving Money and Saving the Earth - Can One Have it All?"

How you can make a difference for the Earth and your personal savings by conserving

Shawn Lum has always been passionate about conserving because of how it can help the planet. Many have asked him over the years whether being “green” is a luxury that most cannot afford.

In this one-hour presentation, Shawn will reveal how “going green” can actually save you money during this difficult economy while also preserving the planet for the generations to come. This free talk is a great investment into your and our planet’s future.

Time: 2-3pm
Venue: Level 2, Bishan Public Library
Website: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106441031428
Contact: info@janegoodall.org.sg

23 Aug (Sun): 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 Sunday morning, subject to availability of guides.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) 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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

22 Aug (Sat): Plant Walk at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

See more dipterocarps and other distinctive forest species at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park with Shawn Lum. We will come across examples of secondary forest, primary forest, and even a freshwater swamp forest. The edge of the Reservoir also affords a panoramic view of a key part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. With luck, we might observe some interesting insect and vertebrate life as well.

Time: 9.30am, meet at the viewing tower of Upper Seletar Reservoir.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

22 Aug (Sat): Pulau Ubin Ramble

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Led by Dr Ho Hua Chew of The Nature Ramblers, we will visit less-frequented trails to savour the rustic charms of Malay kampongs and their surrounding fish ponds, coconut groves and fruit trees. The highlight of this 8km/4hour ramble is a visit to Chek Jawa where we can admire its marine treasures from the boardwalk, and climb its tower for a bird’s eye view of the surrounding mangrove swamps. Not suitable for children below 12 years old.

Time: 8am, meet at the Pulau Ubin Jetty. Participants will have to take the ferry from the Changi Point Ferry Terminal.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

22 Aug (Sat): Green Transport Week

Green Transport Week aims to raise awareness of the impact travel has on the environment, to make people stop and think about the way they travel on every journey.

Formula Green Concert at 7-10pm
The biggest concert for the environment ever produced in Singapore, with a star-studded line-up featuring some of the hottest music talents and celebrities in the local scene, giving a chance for everyone to come together to take a stand for our home planet.
Mass cycling event at 4pm, ends at SMU in time for the concert
Own a bike? Show your support for Green Transport and join us for a mass cycling that will end at SMU Campus Green just in time for the Formula Green Concert!

You can choose from 2 routes starting at Big Splash ECP or West Coast Park.

View routes, register and find out more on the Green Transport Week website.

See also media articles about this event.

22 Aug (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: 9.30am 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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

22 Aug (Sat): Guided walk at Evolution Garden

A free guided walk of this unique garden in the Botanic Gardens, 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

21 Aug (Fri): Talk on "The Life Of A Tree Climber"

Mr Jordan Glossop is a professional tree climber who has been involved in setting-up, judging, demonstrating and coaching climbers in the Singapore Tree Climbing Championships and more! Join us this Friday when Mr Jordan Glossop will share with us some of the exciting areas of Arboricultue that he has been involved in and his views on the Arboriculture industry.

All are welcome!

Click on image for larger view

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: Function Hall, Botany Centre
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361

20 Aug (Thu): MAD lessons on strange plants

Some plants have strange qualities... some eat up bugs, whilst others feed bugs which care for them in return. Other plants chase bugs away by the smell they give off! Some plants have sweet leaves or shoots which may be eaten, while others are poisonous and cannot be eaten. Come learn interesting fun facts about strange plants.

In this lesson, you will learn how natural and organic herbal repellent for the not-so-friendly bugs in our lives is made. This MAD lesson will also include information about how you can be part of the solution to protect our environment and wild habitats.

For kids aged 5-10 years.

Registration required: email Celine Low contact@cicadatree.org.sg

Dates and time:
20 Aug (Thur): 2.30 to 4.30pm
23 Aug (Sun): 2.30 to 4.30pm
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
Cost: $15 per child which includes a lovely badge.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/
Contact: Celine Low contact@cicadatree.org.sg

20 Aug (Thu): Talk on "An Orientalist's Treasure Trove"

A talk by Bonny Tan offered in relation to the exhibit "Hunters and Collectors: The Origins of the Southeast Asian Collection" at the Asian Civilisations Museum

Carl Alexander Gibson-Hill was the last expatriate director of the Raffles/National Museum. A keen naturalist and dedicated scientist, his directorship straddled the British and Malayan era. Reference librarian Bonny Tan of the National Library Board was involved in the publication of a collection listing Gibson-Hill's library.

Free admission to the talk.

Time of talk: 7.30-9pm
Venue of the talk: Ngee Ann Auditorium, Asian Civilisations Museum

Details of the Exhibition
Opening hours: Mon 1-7pm, Tue-Sun 9am-7pm (to 9pm on Friday)
Venue: Special Exhibitions Gallery, Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress Place how to get there
Charges: $5 (adults) / $2.50 (full-time students / senior citizens). Free admission for children aged 6 and below.
Website and contact: http://www.acm.org.sg

18 Aug (Tue): Talk on "How good is your river?"

"How good is your river? Non specialists play a critical role in ensuring the good ecological status of rivers"

By Bridget Peacock, Director, Riverfly Partnership, London

Trained non-specialists are playing a critical role in helping to ensure the good ecological status of UK rivers. The Riverfly Partnership Anglers’ Monitoring Initiative enables trained non-specialist groups to have an informed dialogue on river water quality with the statutory bodies.

The initiative has caught the imagination of anglers and others across the UK who care about the health of their rivers and an expanding army of volunteer groups are now regularly monitoring their rivers.

After the seminar, there will be opportunity to discuss how aspects of Bridget's work might be adopted in Singapore

More about the Riverfly Partnership http://www.riverflies.org

More details about the talk on the eco-tax mailing list

Time: 12noon -1pm
Venue: Conference Room, Department of Biological Sciences (S3-05, next to the General Office), National University of Singapore location map

18 Aug (Tue): Talk on "Confessions of a Nature Addict"

A talk by Prof. Leo Tan, as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Department of Biological Sciences, the National University of Singapore.

It is difficult to imagine there was a Singapore that had vast tracts of natural vegetation and marine life just fifty years ago. The natural areas have diminished greatly over the decades, causing a lot of grief, anguish and a sense of helplessness but it sparked a fire in the heart and mind of a young and foolhardy student to try to save at least one coral patch on the main island. The journey was long and fraught with difficulties but persistence, passion and persuasion paid off with the legislating of 10 hectares of Labrador Park into a Nature Reserve in 2002. What drives people to take up nature causes and do they do so for valid reasons or just to satisfy their personal cravings and addictions? The existence of Sugei Buloh, Chek Jawa, Semakau point to more than vested interests!

More details about Prof Leo Tan and the talk.

Light refreshments will be served after the talk.

Admission is free but registration is required. More details on the Department of Biological Sciences website.

Time: 6.30-8pm
Venue: LT 31, Blk S16, National University of Singapore location map
Website and contact: http://www.dbs.nus.edu.sg/60anniversary/public_lectures.html

10-16 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Southern Ridges walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• Trail of Colours a guided tour for kids
• Stem & Leaf Print Workshop for kids
• "Before You Get that Doggie!" a talk for kids by Action for Singapore Dogs
• Kranji Countryside promotion
  

Special events

• The Green Mart

Walks in wild places

• Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin
• Mangrove walk at Pasir Ris Park
• Rainforest walk at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday
• Guided walk at the National Orchid Garden

Talks this week

• "Collective consciousness: Feeling and Fieldwork" part of the "Hunters and Collectors" exhibition
• "Before You Get that Doggie!" a talk for kids by Action for Singapore Dogs

Early next week

• 18 Aug (Tue): Talk on "Confessions of a Nature Addict" by Prof Leo Tan

Exhibitions and more

• August: Kranji Countryside promotion
  
• 8 Aug-22 Nov: "I Polunin" social and natural history of Singapore and Malaya
• 1-30 Aug: "Wallace & Darwin, the Two Faces of Evolution Theory"
• 25 Jul - 21 Sep: Hunters and Collectors: The Origins of the Southeast Asian Collection

Registration now open

• 12 Sep (Sat): Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
• 30 Aug (Sun): Southern Ridges walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 20 Aug (Thu), 23 Aug (Sun): MAD lessons on strange plants with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Visit the wildsingapore happenings blog for a full listing of upcoming events for the next three weeks and to search for events by your area of interest.

Photo of the week is this outstanding, amazing shot of a family of otters at Sungei Buloh shared by Brandon Chia on his blog. A young naturalist, Brandon is way ahead of the pack in his dedication and expertise in not only capturing but also understanding and sharing about our wildlife.

Ottters Family In Sungei Buloh!, originally uploaded by brandon Chia.

16 Aug (Sun): 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 Sunday morning, subject to availability of guides.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) 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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

16 Aug (Sun): Southern Ridges walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Southern Ridges Walk offers a fascinating look at Adinandra belukar forest and open country. To find out what sets them apart from the dense primary forest of Bukit Timah, come join Uncle Joe as he teases apart for you the characteristics of these essential (but often overlooked and understated) vegetation types so you understand why they are important to the overall ecology of the forests of Singapore and the biodiversity found therein.

Minimum 20 pax for walk to go ahead.

Advance registration & payment is required. Register with Celine Low contact@cicadatree.org.sg

Dates
16 Aug (Sun) 9-11am
30 Aug (Sun) 9-11am
Meeting point: The walk will start at Hort Park and end at Henderson Wave.
Cost: $13 per person (adult or child).
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/
Contact: Celine Low contact@cicadatree.org.sg

15 Aug (Sat): Trail of Colours - a guided tour for kids

Our beautiful garden would not be complete without the colourful blooms! In this tour, children will be able to learn about colours and the different parts and function of a flower.

Suitable for children in K1 - P2 levels

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg . Online registration is available on www.sbg.org.sg (under "Education")

Suitable for children in Pri 3- Pri 6 levels.

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Fee: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying adult
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg
Contact: 64719961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg

15 Aug (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: 9.30am 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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

15 Aug (Sat): Mangrove walk at Pasir Ris Park

Eppy Walk What exactly is a mudskipper? And who is Fiddler crab or Sesamine crab? Does a dog-faced water snake look more like a dog or a snake? Join the team and discover answers to the questions above and more. And if we’re lucky, we may be able to see some of the seashore animals at the river mouth (depending on the tide conditions).

Suitable for kids.

Registration closes one day before the walk date.

This walk is held every third Saturday. More details on the Pasir Ris Park website.

Time: 9-10am
Venue: Pasir Ris Park, Pasir Ris Green (Carpark C)
Cost: $4/person
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: chong_wei_teng@nparks.gov.sg

15 Aug (Sat): Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin

Experience Ubin's wonderful nature through your senses along our Sensory Trail, the trail will brought you to the patch of herbs and spices and a "Secret Garden" to feel the original garden used to be on the island. Much more along the trail for you to explore.

This walk is held every third Saturday of the month.

For more details about this walk, see the NParks website
More about the Sensory Trail on the wildsingapore website and Ubin Volunteers blog

Time: Walks starts 9.30am and lasts for about 1.5 hours. Meet at the Pulau Ubin Main Information Kiosk next to the Ubin Jetty.
Cost: $60 per group of 15 persons, maximum 6 groups
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Jacky Soh jacky_soh@nparks.gov.sg or 65434734

15 Aug (Sat): Guided walk at the National Orchid Garden

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.

A tour in Mandarin is also conducted at 4pm.

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

15 Aug (Sat): Rainforest walk at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

A Walk in an Ancient Forest: This free guided nature walk brings you along natural winding hillside trails under tall rainforest trees. Learn about our only substantial patch of primary rainforest, spot forest creatures and strange forest plants.

Along a slightly undulating nature path, the walk is suitable for children aged 9 and above. The trail is not accessible to prams and wheelchairs.

More about the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on the wildsingapore website and NParks website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Central Nature Reserve and is held every third Saturday of the month.

Please register at least three days before the walk at 65545127 or email woon_ling_ling@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9.30am. Meet at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, at the ranger counter at 9.25am.
Tour duration: About one hour.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Woon_Ling_Ling@nparks.gov.sg or Tel:6554 5127

15 Aug (Sat): Talk on "Collective consciousness: Feeling and Fieldwork"

A talk by Nigel Barley offered in relation to the exhibit "Hunters and Collectors: The Origins of the Southeast Asian Collection" at the Asian Civilisations Museum

The popular author and former curator of The British Museum will review some of the odd relationships between collectors and their collections, ranging from Stamford Raffles in Java to the British navy in Africa. Drawing from his own experience, he will illustrate some of the ways in which people and objects become fatally entangled.

Free admission to the talk.

Time of talk: 2 - 3.30pm
Venue of the talk: Ngee Ann Auditorium, Asian Civilisations Museum

Details of the Exhibition
Opening hours: Mon 1-7pm, Tue-Sun 9am-7pm (to 9pm on Friday)
Venue: Special Exhibitions Gallery, Asian Civilisations Museum, Empress Place how to get there
Charges: $5 (adults) / $2.50 (full-time students / senior citizens). Free admission for children aged 6 and below.
Website and contact: http://www.acm.org.sg

15 Aug (Sat): The Green Mart

Join the Green Effort and support our first Eco-friendly flea market in the park!

Asmara Lifestyle will be launching the first ever flea market which will boost a cosy number of 40 stalls selling green products. It aims to be a socially-conscious carnival that promotes green living and environmental awareness.

• Affordable: all items sold under $50
• With heart: Sponsor a child under World Vision or buy handicrafts from SCA and Friends of the Disabled
• Organic: choices of face, body, food & wellness products available
• choices of face, body, food & wellness products available
• Eco–friendly: BYOB, no fancy packaging or superfluous receipts, drop your old newspapers or old clothes into the World Vision recycling boxes to help vulnerable children around the world.

Products featured range from organic, healthy and eco friendly – truly showing that lessening your carbon footprint can be both affordable and chic. Jewellery and accessories with nature inspired theme, pre-love clothes and organic fruits are among some of the products featured. Live band J.A.I will be playing easy listening music all day and the public can join our very own recycled material percussion drum circle.

Time: 10am – 5pm
Venue: Asmara Lifestyle @ Bishan Park 2 (opposite the Caltex Station)

15 Aug (Sat): Stem & Leaf Print Workshop for kids

Hey kids, come down for a session of fun using leaves and stems like capscium, potatoes, sweet corn to make your own interesting art prints and greeting cards. Suitable for kids (6-12 years old). Kids are advised to bring a change of clothing. Parental supervision is required.


Time: 4pm
Venue: HortPark, The Lab
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

15 Aug (Sat): "Before You Get that Doggie!" a talk for kids by Action for Singapore Dogs

Come listen to the story Rags and his owner, John. It’s a story that will touch your heart and make you rethink about YOUR decision to adopt a pet. This is a much bigger decision than you can imagine!

Join us to find out what adopting a pet can lead to and how it can be for the whole family! For children of all ages and their parents.

Time: 1-1.45pm
Venue: Activities Room in Bukit Batok Public Library
Website and contact: http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/

August: Kranji Countryside Promotion

IN A bid to get more Singaporeans and tourists to 'go local', 14 local farms are offering fun activities and prizes for visitors next month.
About 15,000 passports, or Farmpasses, will be distributed - at the farms, schools and tourist visitor centres - throughout August.

Every weekend, all the farms will be holding activities ranging from pottery- making and charity flea markets to sampling of frog's legs and discounts on farm fresh eggs.

The farms in Kranji range from fisheries and vegetable farms to goat and crocodile farms.

Armed with a Farmpass, visitors stop by at each farm to collect a stamp. Once seven stamps are collected, they can participate in a lucky dip to claim a prize. Collect another seven stamps to receive another prize.

More details on the wildsingapore news blog and on the Kranji Countryside website

3-9 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

Walks in wild places

• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Nature walk at the Admiralty Park Nature Area.
• Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail.
• "Getting to know MacRitchie" walk.
• Nature walk at MacRitchie Prunus Trail.

Explore our wild places on your own this long weekend.

Tip: to avoid the crowds, go early and leave early. Wildlife is more active and plants are fresher in the morning anyway. More details of where to go, how to get there and what to see and do on wildsingapore.

Talks

• 3 Aug (Mon): "The Blue Future: Exploration of the Oceans"
• 3 Aug (Mon): "Plant-based solutions for a changing world - the role of Botanic Gardens"
• 6 Aug (Thu): Talk on "Beauty & the Beasts"

Exhibitions

• 8 Aug-22 Nov: "I Polunin" at the NUS Museum - a survey of everyday life in Singapore and Malaya in the 1950s and 1970s.
• 1-30 Aug: "Wallace & Darwin, the Two Faces of Evolution Theory"
• 25 Jul - 21 Sep: Hunters and Collectors: The Origins of the Southeast Asian Collection

Registration now open

• 12 Sep (Sat): Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
• 30 Aug (Sun), 16 Aug (Sun): Southern Ridges walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 1 Aug (Sat), 20 Aug (Thu), 23 Aug (Sun): MAD lessons on strange plants with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Visit the wildsingapore happenings blog for a full listing of upcoming events for the next three weeks and to search for events by your area of interest.

Photo of the week is this marvellous mimic. Can you tell which one is the real ant? The other is an ant-mimicking spider! Shared by Marcus accompanied by verse on his annotated budak blog.

IMG_0594, originally uploaded by budak.

9 Aug (Sun): 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 Sunday morning, subject to availability of guides.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) 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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

8 Aug-22 Nov: Exhibition "I Polunin" at the NUS Museum

Approached as a survey of everyday life in Singapore and Malaya in the 1950s and 1970s, I, Polunin presents rarely seen photographs, slides and film footage selected from the personal archives of Dr. Ivan Polunin.

Pulau Sudong, 1951, Ivan Polunin Collection

Conceptualized as an ‘archival site’, the exhibition also brings together Dr. Polunin’s personal objects which sit alongside the photographic displays.

Encouraging its audiences to connect intuitively but also set against the different legacies of colonial knowledge production and of what constitutes a sense of the Singapore Self - I, Polunin -strives to challenge take-for-granted notions of memory and melancholy in the postcolonial era.

Arriving in Singapore from England in 1948, Dr. Polunin taught Social Medicine and Public Health at the then University of Malaya. In an adventurous career that began with the filmic documentation of tropical diseases, Dr. Polunin’s ethnographies grew to encompass hundreds of hours of film footage on Malaya’s eclectic sociocultural practices and its rich biodiversity.

Free admission.

More details on the NUS museums website. Thanks to Otterman speaks for the alert.

See also the Urban Forest blog for an account of a visit to the exhibition.

The exhibition will also be featured on Okto on 10 Aug (Mon) 9.30pm – Ivan Polunin’s 1950’s & 1960’s images of Singapore on “Lost Images,” from Otterman speaks.
Guided Tours
Tuesdays to Fridays: By appointment
Saturdays: 2pm- 3pm (Selected exhibition only. Please call the Museum for details)

Venue: NUS Museum, University Cultural Centre, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent more details
Opening Hours: 10am to 7.30pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 10am to 6pm Sundays, Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays
Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/museum
Contact: museum@nus.edu.sg or call 6516 8817

8 Aug (Sat): Nature walk at the Admiralty Park Nature Area

Experience the nature area filled with rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. Appreciate the beauty of the river at different water levels. Venture through both the secondary Rain-forest and the mangrove forest, and seize the opportunity to observe the various plants and animals.

This walk is held every second Saturday of the month.

Registration ends 3 days before the event. To register, please email Dorothy at dorothy_lim@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 8.30-10.30am
Venue: Admiralty Park, amphitheatre
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Dorothy at dorothy_lim@nparks.gov.sg

8 Aug (Sat): Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail

A free guided nature walk through a rainforest right in the heart of the city! Along paved trails, under the shade of giant trees, learn about our rainforests, spot forest creatures and strange plants.

Suitable for young children.

More about the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail on the wildsingapore website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NPark's Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every second Saturday of the month.

A special Mandarin version of this tour is at 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am, 4pm; Register 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One hour.
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

8 Aug (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: 9.30am 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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

8 Aug (Sat): "Getting to know MacRitchie" walk

Want to about the history and importance of MacRitchie? "Getting to Know MacRitchie" is the walk for you. Starting at the roundabout within the park, the first portion of the walk will cover the history of MacRitchie and its relationship with water. The second portion of the walk will cover how the forests around the reservoir play a very important role in maintaining the water quality�in MacRitchie�and how the various flora and fauna, within the forests, are vital to life. The walk will weave through the forest trail and end at the bandstand.

This free walk is also available in Mandarin, upon request.

Kindly dress in comfortable clothing and shoes for this walk. Do bring along water and an umbrella. In the event of bad weather, the walk will be cancelled.

Please register at least three days before the walk at 65545127 or email woon_ling_ling@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9am
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Call 65545127 for enquiry and/or free registration.

8 Aug (Sat): Nature walk at MacRitchie Prunus Trail

Botanical wonders of MacRitchie. Free guided nature walk along boardwalks hugging the MacRitchie Reservoir. Learn about this mature secondary, spot forest and aquatic wildlife, enjoy panaromic views of waters surrounded by luxuriant forest.

Suitable for young children.

More about the MacRitchie Prunus Trail on the wildsingapore website and NParks website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks Central Nature Reserve and is held every second Saturday of the month.

Time: 9.30am. Meet at entrance of the trail, about 50m after the canoe kiosk on the eastern side of MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
Tour duration: About one hour.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Woon_Ling_Ling@nparks.gov.sg or call 6554 5127.

6 Aug (Thu): Talk on "Beauty & the Beasts"

By Prof Ponnampalam Gopalakrishnakone, Department of Anatomy, National University of Singapore

SNAKES and scorpions are much known – or maligned as in many a Hollywood movie – for their deadly venoms. However, to Prof Gopal of the Venom and Toxin Research Programme, the components of venoms can be used to develop drugs that help to alleviate certain symptoms such as soothing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis or pain relief in terminal illness. Prof Gopal will give a presentation on the dangerous animals in the lands and seas around Singapore and how to identify them and also prevent their bite, and if any accident happens, what to do! He will also touch on the uses of these venoms in medicine.

This talk was also featured in "Bloats like a pufferfish, stings like a bee" by Teh Jen Lee, The New Paper 5 Aug 09;

Registration required. More details on the Science in the Cafe website.

Time: 7pm
Venue: Mendel Auditorium, Singapore Science Centre location map
Website and contact: http://www.science.edu.sg/ssc/CafeMain.htm