25-31 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• MAD Lesson on Critters' Cribs with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Special events

• Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh.
• Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers.

Walks in wild places

• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Birdwatching at Semakau

Other events

• Really Really Free Market
• Green Drinks
• 19-31 Jan: Singapore mosses and sponges exihibition at the Science Centre Singapore.

Registration now open

• 28 Feb (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers.
• 7 Feb (Sat), 9 Feb (Tue), 27 Feb (Sat): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 6 Feb (Sat): Kampong Ubin walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 5 Feb (Fri): Life between the tides - a workshop for nature guides by the Leafmonkey Workshop
  

NEW! Nature walks at St. John's Island now available with the Tropical Marine Science Institute. For more of what you might see and do at St. John's Island, see wild shores of singapore.

Singapore news highlights
from wildsingapore news

• URA launches public consultation exercise for Concept Plan 2011 Joanne Chan, Channel NewsAsia 23 Jan 10;
• $10m gift for natural history museum Offer from unnamed donor boosts NUS bid to set up gallery for vast collection Tan Dawn Wei, Straits Times 24 Jan 10;
• Chase butterflies in Orchard Road Nature lovers plan urban butterfly trail that's billed as the first of its kind in the world Tracy Quek, Straits Times 24 Jan 10;
• Jurong residents turn vacant plot into garden Jamie Ee Wen Wei, Straits Times 24 Jan 10;
• New startup introduces environmentally-friendly postal service Rachel Kelly, Channel NewsAsia 20 Jan 10;
• Marsiling trees: Some felled, others spared Esther Ng, Today Online 20 Jan 10;
• Home's no place for wildlife in Singapore Law penalises those who keep wildlife as pets; AVA assesses them case by case Ang Yiying, Straits Times 20 Jan 10;
• Internet allowing illegal wildlife trade: activist Yahoo News 17 Jan 10;
• Looking for long-term volunteers Helping out regularly in an area which interests you does far more good Grace Chua, Straits Times 18 Jan 10;

Interesting Singapore nature blog posts

• Felled a forest tree cut down from Flying Fish Friends
• The Cruelty of Man a python beaten to death from Life's Indulgences
• A morning of action at SBWR a crodocile on the hunt! from The Simplicities in Life
• An Aussie Skipperoo Comes to Town intriguing info about a little butterfly from Butterflies of Singapore
• A species a day! from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!
• Wildfacts updates: January sightings - special snails galore! from wild shores of singapore
• Update on the mass fish deaths at Pasir Ris and Pulau Ubin from wild shores of singapore

MORE recent blog posts about Singapore wildlife and wild issues.

Photo of the week is this special snail on a vast lost shore at Changi shared by Marcus on his The Annotated Budak blog. We can still be surprised with truly wild places in Singapore.

IMG_4107, originally uploaded by budak.

31 Jan (Sun): Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh

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

Tham Pui San, a volunteer of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, is an avid artist who expresses his passion for nature through his art work.

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 and enjoy learning different drawing techniques at Sungei Buloh.

More in the art in the wetlands blog.

Time: 8.30-noon, meet at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ticketing counter (Visitor Centre).
Venue: Main Observation Hide.
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 info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

31 Jan (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

31 Jan (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

31 Jan (Sun): Really Really Free Market

The first session of the Singapore Really Really Free Market this year is held just before Chinese New Year!

Join us for this temporary market based on the concept of giving and building a community based on sharing resources, caring for one another and improving the collective lives of all - share your stuff (books, cds, toys, food, etc) or skills (tarot card reading, hair cutting, poetry writing, singing, etc) by giving them to others who need them!

Please announce your participation on the wall so others can also be inspired!

And, of course, you're also welcome to come by to just experience the joys of giving and making friends!

Time: 4-9pm
Venue: Show Room, Post-Museum 107+109 Rowell Rd
Website and contact: on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=269085856018&ref=nf

30 Jan (Sat): Birdwatching at Semakau with Dr Ho Hua Chew

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

A good time to visit Pulau Semakau for resident birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions include the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret and Malaysian Plover. There is also the possibility of seeing rare migrants like the Chinese Egret and Ashy Drongo. Return to mainland by 2 pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off West Coast Highway.

Non-refundable $28 fee for boat and administration. Send your cheque to the NSS office by 20 January with the All Purpose Form. Number of persons for this trip: 11, 22 or 33. Book your place with Dr Ho at hohc@starhub.net.sg. IC or Passport mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members only on a first come first served basis.

Children under 12 not allowed (NEA regulation).

Time: 7.30am.
Meet at West Coast Pier near the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

30 Jan (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.

With a special Marine Fish guided tour at 3.30pm.

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 Jan (Fri): MAD Lesson on Critters' Cribs with Cicada Tree Eco Place

In celebration of the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity 2010, Cicada Tree Eco Place celebrates with mad lessons on wildlife! Our first topic for the year is mad lesson on critters' cribs.

MAD Lesson on Critters' Cribs

Critter: Usually a small, cute animal that crawls, runs, flies, glides or swims very fast.
Crib: (1)A baby's bed; (2)A safe cozy home to go back to.

Where can we find cute critters in Singapore? Where are their cribs? Come for this fun workshop to learn all about our critters and their cribs, where they make them, how they make them. Some make their own cribs, while others bunk with us in our cribs!

For kid between the ages of 5 and 10.
Please sign up early as it's limited to 20 kids per class.
For enquiries and registration, please contact Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg


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

28 Jan (Thu): Green Drinks

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

This month, we are gathering all the green groups, societies, businesses and individuals with green values to talk about their plans for 2010, and explore ways we can all work together.

Special thanks to James Norris from Social Innovation Park who came up with this brilliant idea!

In particular, we are targetting to have ECO (Singapore), SEC, Nature Society (Singapore), Vegetarian Society (Singapore), Social Innovation Park, Food for All, green societies from the various tertiary institutions, various businesses, and individuals already well known in the green sphere. As always, everyone is welcome!

Let us have a meaningful greater conversation about what we can do together!

Do spread the word, and we hope to see you there!

Foodwise, Naive is kindly putting together a special three-course menu at the price of $18+ for those wishing to dine there. Please check back for the menu items.


Time: 8-10pm
Venue: Naive, in the Canopy room, 99 East Coast Road map
Website: Green Drinks Facebook Group
Contact: olivia@greendrinks.org

18-24 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• MAD Lesson on Critters' Cribs with Cicada Tree Eco Place on Saturday and Sunday, in celebration of International Year of Biodiversity!
• Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs.
  

Walks in our wild places

• HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour.
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Heritage and nature guided walk at Fort Canning Park.
• Evolution Garden guided walk.

Talks this week

• 22 Jan (Fri): "Figs as a window to the biogeography of tropical plants"

Registration now open

• 28 Feb (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers.

NEW! Nature walks at St. John's Island now available with the Tropical Marine Science Institute. For more of what you might see and do at St. John's Island, see wild shores of singapore.

NEW! New guide books from the Singapore Science Centre: Mosses and Sponges from Habitatnews. Check out the display of mosses and sponges at the Science Centre Singapore 19-31 Jan.

Singapore news highlights

• Biodiversity nears 'point of no return' Hilary Benn, BBC Green Room 17 Jan 10;
• Fish farmers speed up co-op plans Goh Chin Lian Straits Times 17 Jan 10;
• AVA helping fish farmers affected by plankton bloom off Pasir Ris, Pulau Ubin Mustafa Shafawi, 938LIVE Channel NewsAsia 14 Jan 10;
• Tiresome monkey business in Singapore Neo Chai Chin Today Online 16 Jan 10;
• Looking for long-term volunteers Helping out regularly in an area which interests you does far more good, Grace Chua, Straits Times 18 Jan 10;
• Electric cars to receive special rebates in Singapore Samuel Ee, Business Times 13 Jan 10;
• Singapore pares emission cut plans after Copenhagen Reuters 11 Jan 10;
• The leaders of tomorrow would kill all insects and ban all exams Esther Ng Today Online 12 Jan 10;

Some interesting blog posts

• Some thoughts on the fish kill at Pasir Ris from Water Quality in Singapore
• More dolphins heading to Singapore via Langkawi? from wild shores of singapore
• Singapore Nature: Library resources from Celebrating Singapore's Biodiversity!
• Life History of the Plain Palm Dart from Butterflies of Singapore
• Chek Jawa three years after the mass mortality event from Chek Jawa Mortality and Recruitment Project
• Synchronised flowering of Pulai trees in January from Otterman speaks
• Phylomon: Pokemon meets Real Wildlife from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!
• The latest Guide to Greener Electronics is out! from Green Drinks Singapore
• Dugong blimp cam survey at Sungai Pulai from wild shores of singapore

for MORE recent blog posts about Singapore wildlife and wild issues.

Photo of the week is this stunning capture by Brandon Chia on his flickr! It's amazing what you can see in our nature reserves if you take the time to observe.

Taking off!, originally uploaded by brandon Chia.

24 Jan (Sun): MAD Lesson on Critters' Cribs with Cicada Tree Eco Place

In celebration of the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity 2010, Cicada Tree Eco Place celebrates with mad lessons on wildlife! Our first topic for the year is mad lesson on critters' cribs.

MAD Lesson on Critters' Cribs

Critter: Usually a small, cute animal that crawls, runs, flies, glides or swims very fast.
Crib: (1)A baby's bed; (2)A safe cozy home to go back to.

Where can we find cute critters in Singapore? Where are their cribs? Come for this fun workshop to learn all about our critters and their cribs, where they make them, how they make them. Some make their own cribs, while others bunk with us in our cribs!

For kid between the ages of 5 and 10.
Please sign up early as it's limited to 20 kids per class.
For enquiries and registration, please contact Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg


Other date: 29 Jan (Fri)
Time: 2.30-4.30pm
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
Cost: $15 per child which includes a lovely badge.
Website:http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

24 Jan (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

23 Jan (Sat): MAD Lesson on Critters' Cribs with Cicada Tree Eco Place

In celebration of the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity 2010, Cicada Tree Eco Place celebrates with mad lessons on wildlife! Our first topic for the year is mad lesson on critters' cribs.

MAD Lesson on Critters' Cribs

Critter: Usually a small, cute animal that crawls, runs, flies, glides or swims very fast.
Crib: (1)A baby's bed; (2)A safe cozy home to go back to.

Where can we find cute critters in Singapore? Where are their cribs? Come for this fun workshop to learn all about our critters and their cribs, where they make them, how they make them. Some make their own cribs, while others bunk with us in our cribs!

For kid between the ages of 5 and 10.
Please sign up early as it's limited to 20 kids per class.
For enquiries and registration, please contact Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg


Other dates: 24 Jan (Sun), 29 Jan (Fri)
Time: 2.30-4.30pm
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
Cost: $15 per child which includes a lovely badge.
Website:http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

23 Jan (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.

Not more than five persons in a group, pre-register at nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

More details on the Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs blog.

Time: 9am 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

23 Jan (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

23 Jan (Sat): HortPark Butterfly Garden Guided Tour

HortPark's latest attraction - Butterfly Garden - is an experimental project that supports efforts for a Butterfly Species Recovery Programme. It aims to breed various butterfly species, including locally extince species using suitable nectar and host plants in the enclosure.

Get up close and personal with the flying jewels, and learn their different stages of metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar into butterfly. Observe how pupae emerge into adult butterflies before taking their maiden flight within HortPark's Butterfly Garden.

This walk is held every last Saturday of the month

Time: 10am, please gather at the Butterfly Garden for the tour
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 6471 5601

23 Jan (Sat): Heritage and Nature guided 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

23 Jan (Sat): Guided tour of the 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.

This walk is held every fourth Saturday of the month. Please register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre.

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

22 Jan (Fri): Talk on "Figs as a window to the biogeography of tropical plants"

The Singapore Botanic Garden starts off the year with a talk on figs, a quintessential tropical plant. Did you know that figs are one of the most diverse plant genera in any forest? Join this talk by Dr Rhett Harrison, fig expert from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, to find out more! Be 'wow'-ed by how figs spread around the globe and evolved.

All are welcome.

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: Function Hall, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Garden
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Janice Yau Janice_YAU@nparks.gov.sg

19-31 Jan: Singapore mosses and sponges on display at the Science Centre Singapore

In conjunction with the launch of two new guidebooks, our mosses and sponges are on special display at the Science Centre Singapore. Visit the display to see some intriguing mosses.
And awesome sponges.
And buy the new guidebooks so you can learn more about them for yourself. The guidebooks are available for sale at the Science Centre Singapore's Curiosity Shop: at $5.35 (Mosses) and $6.42 (Sponges). These books should also be available at major bookshops, particularly Kinokuniya.

More about the launch of the guidebooks on the wild shores of singapore blog.

Website and contact: http://www.sci-ctr.edu.sg/

11-17 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Evolution Garden Walk (Singapore Botanic Gardens) with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• The Eight Treasures Hunt @ HortPark - Chinese New Year Special!

Special events

• 16 & 17 Jan (Sat & Sun): Screening of "Singapore Hornbill Project - Return of the King" Registration by 11 Jan.
• Workshop for Nature Guides - Crabby Tales: No Chilli required

Walks in our wild places

• Butterfly Garden Tour - Chinese New Year Special!
• Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin
• Rainforest walk at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Mangrove walk at Pasir Ris Park.
• Guided walk at the National Orchid Garden

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Venus Drive to Bt Timah Ramble with Rehan Yusoff
• Birdwatching at Rifle Range
• Plant Walk at Sentosa with Shawn Lum

Singapore news highlights

• Plankton bloom monitored by AVA Straits Times Forum 11 Jan 10;
• Dearer fish for reunion dinner Shortage of tiger garoupa as demand rises in Year of the Tiger and plankton hits farms, Jessica Lim, Straits Times 7 Jan 10;
• Python no threat: Police response Straits Times Forum 11 Jan 10;
• Seagrasses, mass orchid blooms, hornbills and serious tree climbers from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!
• BioD in the City: What is the Singapore Index? from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!
• Dead Fish Patrol at Changi and Pasir Ris and Chek Jawa on wild shores of singapore.
• Butterfly Survival Strategies - Part 2 from Butterflies of Singapore
• Marine Flatworms – Simply, Brilliant from Pulau Hantu

Photo of the week is this mudskipper spitting mud shared by James on his blog. Mudskippers can spit mud balls a good distance away as they dig out a burrow. And also to sling mud missiles at intruders! It's amazing what you can see on the Chek Jawa boardwalk!

Gold-spotted mudskipper (Periophthalmus chrysospilos), originally uploaded by [wj].

17 Jan (Sun): Venus Drive to Bt Timah Ramble with Rehan Yusoff

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

The Nature Ramblers led by Rehan Yusoff will take us on a 5hr/10km ramble geared for robust walkers used to long hikes. We will ramble through different terrains, the highlight being The Treetop Walk with the summit of Bukit Timah Hill as the final goal. This ramble ends at the Visitor Centre (Hindhede Rd). We will stop midway for a picnic, so pack some snacks and drinks.

Not suitable for children below 12 years old.

Time: 7.30am.
Meet at Venus Drive public carpark.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

17 Jan (Sun): Birdwatching at Rifle Range

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Wing Chong leads this walk to continue the tradition of making the Rifle Range area our first birding site for the year. This is a good time to look for wintering birds like the Forest Wagtail, Arctic Warbler and perhaps even the elusive Ferruginous Flycatcher. We would also try to spot resident birds like the Asian Fairy Bluebird, Blue-winged Leafbird and Short-tailed Babbler. Bring some snacks, as we will stop briefly at the edge of the reservoir for some relaxing chit chat. Trip should end by 11.30 am.

Time: 7.30am. Meet at junction of Rifle Range Road and Dunearn Road.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

17 Jan (Sun): Evolution Garden Walk (Singapore Botanic Gardens)

Come take a picture-book walk with Uncle Joe through the pages of the infant earth to the present. With the help of visual aids and 'living fossils' we explore what scientists have uncovered so far in the understanding of how plants have changed with the ever-changing environment throughout geological time to become what they are today.

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

Time: 9-11am
Cost: $13 per person (adult or child). Minimum 20 persons for walk to go ahead.
Venue: Evolution Garden (Singapore Botanic Gardens)
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

17 Jan (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.

With a special Mandarin tour 9.45am to 11.15am.

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

17 Jan (Sun): The Eight Treasures Hunt @ HortPark - Chinese New Year Special!

The Eight-Treasure-Box (八宝盒 ) or ‘Tray of Togetherness’ is a traditional Lunar New Year goodie box containing eight sweet treats.
Discover more about the ingredients of these eight sweet treats that originate from eight different plants by participating in the Eight Treasures Hunt @ HortPark. This treasure hunt-cum-amazing-race will bring you on a fun and exciting quest of learning and discovery around HortPark. Be the first to find all 8 treasures and receive a special gardening treat!

The event is free but pre-registration is required.

Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Venue: HortPark, Fruit Room
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/ or call 6471 5601

17 Jan (Sun): Butterfly Garden Tour - Chinese New Year Special!

Providing a visual feast of tropical plants and nearly 20 species of native butterflies, the Butterfly Garden enables visitors to learn about the different stages of metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar into butterfly. Within the enclosure, visitors are greeted with an up close and personal encounter with these flying jewels and can observe how pupae emerge into adult butterflies before taking their maiden flight.

A free tour.

Time: 9-10am
Venue: HortPark, Butterfly Garden
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/ or call 6471 5601

16 Jan (Sat): Plant Walk at Sentosa with Shawn Lum

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Join Dr Shawn Lum and the Plant Group to explore the secondary forest at Mount Imbiah in Sentosa. We will observe at close range, insects, birds and plants along an elevated walkway before we venture into the forest.

Time: 9.30am
Meet at: Imbiah Lookout's Sentosa Nature Discovery
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

16 Jan (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.

Booking now online until 9 Jan.

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 and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

16 & 17 Jan (Sat & Sun): Screening of "Singapore Hornbill Project - Return of the King"

"Singapore Hornbill Project - Return of the King" is about the endeavour of a team of dedicated researchers, passionate citizen scientists, bird lovers and like-minded sponsors who spent more than 6 years studying the ecology and breeding behaviour of the Oriental Pied Hornbill.
This hornbill was thought to be extinct in Singapore as it had not been seen for more than 150 years but it was rediscovered in 1994. From a single individual, the population of the Oriental Pied Hornbill in Singapore has now increased to more than 50, mainly due to the research team's efforts in providing suitable artificial nest boxes and improving the habitats for the birds to breed.

This 40-minute documentary feature is a work of passion, which highlights the trials and tribulations of past years of research work to bring the King of the forest back to Singapore.

The event is free but registration is required. To register, please email by 11 January 2010 to lim_wei_ling@nparks.gov.sg with your preferred date. Seating is available on a first-come-first-served basis.

See also this article Hornbill breeding takes flight in Singapore Pair produces 3 chicks in a year after being released into the wild, Chang Ai-Lien, Straits Times 2 Jan 10;

Time: 10am – 12pm
Venue: Function Hall, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

16 Jan (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.

The walk is free but registration is required at least 3 days before the walk. A maximum of 5 persons per registration. To register, call 65545127. Walks will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

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: 6554 5127

16 Jan (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

16 Jan (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

16 Jan (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 (English) and 4pm (Mandarin), 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 Jan (Fri): Workshop for Nature Guides - Crabs

Crabby Tales: No Chilli required
We are celebrating our 1st anniversary with our 13th workshop in a series of monthly workshops by The Leafmonkey Workshop for existing nature guides and those interested in becoming nature guides.

What is this workshop about?
This workshop will cover the crabs commonly found in the waters of Singapore. What they are? What are their roles and adaptations? Find out more in this brief introduction to crabs for nature guides.

This workshop is likely to be more useful for those who have already started guiding and who have some basic knowledge of crabs. The workshop is not intended to replace self-study and practical experience in the field. For more details about crabs, see the wildsingapore fact sheets.

About the speaker
Tan Swee Hee, RMBR
Swee Hee is the Curator of Crustacea at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR) specializing in crab taxonomy. He is also a lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore.

Please register by 13 Jan (Wed).

More details of the event on the Leafmonkey Workshop

Time: 7 - 9.30pm
Venue: Civil Service College, 31 North Buona Vista Road [Map]
Website: http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/
Contact: leafmonkey@gmail.com

4-10 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• All about Edible Plants - a tour for kids
• The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh
  

Walks in wild places

• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail.

Go wild on your own!
It's the beginning of a new year and there are few organised activities in our wild places. But you can always explore them on your own! Great destinations include Pulau Ubin and a wide range of seashores, mangroves and forest destinations. Lots of info for visitors is available on wildsingapore with tips on how to prepare for a trip, how to get there and what to see and do.

Registration now open

• 16 & 17 Jan (Sat & Sun): "Singapore Hornbill Project - Return of the King" free screening but registration required.
• 15 Jan (Fri): Crabby Tales: No Chilli required a workshop for nature guides.

Announcing the new Celebrating Singapore's Biodiversity blog and Facebook page.
2010 is International Year of Biodiversity. Visit the new blog to learn more about our biodiversity and how you CAN make a difference!

Singapore news highlights

• Plankton bloom hits Pulau Ubin fish farms Melissa Sim, Straits Times 2 Jan 10;
• 200,000 fish in farms off Pasir Ris dead Carolyn Quek & Jessica Lim, Straits Times 1 Jan 10
• Hornbill breeding takes flight in Singapore Chang Ai-Lien, Straits Times 2 Jan 10;
• In search of the green, green grass of home Grace Chua, Straits Times 2 Jan 10;
• Snakes are straying into urban areas as their habitats are cleared Teh Joo Lin, Straits Times 31 Dec 09;
• Monster Marine issue of the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology from wild shores of singapore
• Why are there so many dead fish on Pasir Ris? from wild shores of singapore

Photo of the week is this rare snail found at Sentosa! It is Trivirostra oryza (Family Triviidae) and has not been seen since 1970s. Kok Sheng found it and shared about it on his blog.

10 Jan (Sun): The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh

Would you like to learn how to fold these cute little frogs?
And not just frogs, you can get to learn how to fold many more interesting creatures, or even boats which we used to fold during our childhood days! This is a good opportunity for us to bring ourselves back to our childhood days, or to pass on the skill to our children, or a new skill for us to pick up and pass on to others.

Origami is not only fun, but is also an artistic way of interpreting animals, plants, objects, or basically anything you can think of!

The focus of this origami workshop will be on animals that can be found in our nature areas.

Time: 2.30-4pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, meet at the Information Counter at the Visitor Centre
Website and contact: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/

10 Jan (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.

Special Mandarin guided tour at 9.45am to 11.15am. Please call at 67941401 to book this free guided tour. We need a minimum of 5 participants to commence the tour. Limited to maximum 15 participants.

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

9 Jan (Sat): All about Edible Plants - a tour for kids

Learn where healthy, yummy fruits and vegetables come from! Be amazed by the many different types of fruits and vegetables that we have in Jacob Ballas Children's Garden! Give your eyes a visual treat! Join us to learn interesting and amazing fruit and veggie facts.

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 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")

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying parent
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

9 Jan (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

9 Jan (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 (Enligsh) and 4pm (Mandarin); 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

28 Dec - 3 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Our Kitchen Garden tour at Pasir Ris Park.

Walks in wild places

• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Edible and medicinal plants tour at the Botanic Gardens.

Go wild on your own!
It's the beginning of a new year and there are few organised activities in our wild places. But you can always explore them on your own! Great destinations include Pulau Ubin and a wide range of seashores, mangroves and forest destinations. Lots of info for visitors is available on wildsingapore with tips on how to prepare for a trip, how to get there and what to see and do.

Registration now open

• 16 & 17 Jan (Sat & Sun): "Singapore Hornbill Project - Return of the King" free screening but registration required.
• 15 Jan (Fri): Crabby Tales: No Chilli required a workshop for nature guides.

Singapore news highlights

• The Singapore Green Plan and "Areas of Natural Scenic Beauty" Esther Ng Today Online 25 Dec 09;
• A season of feasting... and wasting Victoria Vaughan and Kim Spykerman, Straits Times 28 Dec 09;
• Singapore introduces key measures to fight climate change Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia 26 Dec 09;
• Safety of reservoir user comes first but PUB reviewing rules Straits Times Forum 28 Dec 09;
• Why men keep pet birds Chua Mui Hoong, Straits Times 27 Dec 09;
• Have you seen a wild boar in Singapore? Rachael would like to hear from you, from wild shores of singapore
• Another Red-Legged Crake found dead from Bird Ecology Study Group
• Mudskippers a-leaping at Chek Jawa! from wild shores of singapore

Photo of the week is this gorgeous butterfly shared by Khew SK on the Butterflies of Singapore blog. Butterfly colours and patterns are not just pretty but also part of Butterfly Survival Strategies. Visit the Butterflies of Singapore blog for lots of gorgeous photos and astounding information about our amazing butterflies!

3 Jan 10 (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