22-28 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs
• Young Mathematician of the Garden
• Fun with Maths & Plants! A guided tour

For parents! The March school holidays are already packed with exciting activities for kids and the family. Check out the upcoming school holiday events and be sure to register early.

Special events

• 25 Feb (Thu): Green Drinks
• Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers.
• Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh: nature appreciation through art.

Walks in wild places

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

Talks and film screenings

• 27 Feb (Sat): Screening of "End of the Line" and get the WWF Singapore Seafood Guide
• 26 Feb (Fri): Talk on "Secrets to Anthers - Window to Curcuma Evolution?"

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Birdwatching at Pulau Semakau

Registration now open

• 29 Mar (Mon): Chek Jawa Intertidal Walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 21 Mar (Sun): Night workshop for kids - Fabulous Frogs & Terrific Toads! with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• 20 Mar (Sat): Night Workshop for kids - Bats are Beautiful! with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• 15 Mar (Mon): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for kids with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 13 Mar (Sat): Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
• 5 Mar (Fri): Butt Watcher's Workshop - A New Perspective by the Leafmonkey Workshop
• 27 Feb (Sat): Screening of "End of the Line" and get the WWF Singapore Seafood Guide
• 27 Feb (Sat): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Singapore news highlights
from wildsingapore news

• Think before giving shark's fin The New Paper 18 Feb 10;
• Fresh from the farms in Singapore Christa Yeo, Straits Times 21 Feb 10;
• A city under the sea? Claire Huang Today Online 18 Feb 10;
• 18 dolphins for Resorts World Sentosa still in the Philippines Leong Wee Keat, Today Online 17 Feb 10;
• Bonding over a 'community cat' Letter from Dr Tan Chek Wee Today Online 17 Feb 10;
• Floating lanterns: Fire hazard Straits Times Forum 17 Feb 10;
• Not your typical tiger Straits Times 16 Feb 10;

Interesting Singapore blog posts

• ReefFriends Reef Survey Training @ Pulau Hantu from Colourful Clouds
• Two Skips and a Growl Updating the Singapore Butterfly Checklist to 294 from Butterflies of Singapore
• Video of penis fencing in flatworms from wonderful creation
• Awesome Ophiuroids: Brittle star talk at St. John's Island from wild shores of singapore
• SeaMoth and Baby @ Chek Jawa from sgbeachbum
• First Day of The Tiger Year @ Lower Pierce Reservoir Park from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature

Photos of the week are Dr. John Yong's Guides to mangroves, mistletoes and ferns. These invaluable guides help us learn more about our astonishing plant treasures! Download the full size guides and learn more about Dr. John on the Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity blog

28 Feb (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: 8.30-11.30am, 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

28 Feb (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

28 Feb (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

28 Feb (Sun): Birdwatching at Pulau Semakau

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.

27 Feb (Sat): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place

While February is a happy time for us to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Tiger, it is also a sad time for the wild tiger and for people who love them. Tigers are in great danger. There are only 500 tigers left in Malaysia. We have no tigers left in Singapore. Tigers are killed for people who like to eat their exotic meat and people who value medicines made from their bones and other parts. Help us keep tigers alive. Find out more about tigers and how you can play a part to save them.

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/

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

The Naked Hermit Crabs introduce you to Chek Jawa without getting your feet wet. Even though we are not going on to the shore, there is still much to see and enjoy. There are monitor lizards, fiddler crabs, spiders, rare plants, wild 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: 9.30am 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

27 Feb (Sat): Screening of "End of the Line" and get the WWF Singapore Seafood Guide

Come for the screening of "The End of the Line" and the chance to pick up a free WWF Singapore Seafood Guide! More about the Seafood Guide.

Where have all the fish gone? See the world’s first major feature documentary film revealing the devastating impact of overfishing on the oceans!

The film explores the effects of our global love affair with fish as a source of food, including the imminent extinction of bluefin tuna, brought about by increasing demand for sushi, and the profound implications of a future world with no fish.

Filmed across the world – from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market – this captivating documentary features top scientists, indigenous fishermen as well as investigative reporter Charles Clover who confronts politicians and celebrity restaurateurs, who themselves exhibit little regard for the damage they are doing to the oceans.

Scientists predict that current fishing practices could spell the end of most seafood by 2048. Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Imagine the global consequences. This is the future if we do not stop, think and act. The End of the Line is a wake-up call to the world. More about the film.


To reserve your ticket: Email rsvp@wwf.sg by 12pm on Friday 26 Feb include your name, contact number and number of tickets.

More details on payment methods on the WWF Singapore website.

Time: 4pm
Venue: Sinema Old School, 11B Mount Sophia, Old School
Cost: $5/person
Website and contact: http://www.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/singapore/

27 Feb (Sat): Young Mathematician of the Garden

How many petals are there on a flower? Count the number of leaflets on a leaf. Get introduced to addition, subtraction, and many more mathematical skills that you can apply to plants. Be a young Mathematician of the Garden in this guided tour and have fun learning about Maths and Plants.

Suitable for children in P3 – P6 levels.

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 or through email: 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: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

27 Feb (Sun): Fun with Maths & Plants! A guided tour

Have fun being a little Mathematician and discover plants at the same time! Learn basic math concepts through colours, shapes, sizes and numbers. Practice your skills using leaves, flowers and other plant parts. You will discover that Mathematics is fun and interesting!

Suitable for children in K1 – P2 levels.

For enquiry and registration, please contact the Education at 64719961 or through email: 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: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

27 Feb (Sat): Evolution Garden guided tour

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

27 Feb (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

27 Feb (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

27 Feb (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.

Marine Fish guided walk at 3.30pm.

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 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

26 Feb (Fri): Talk on "Secrets to Anthers - Window to Curcuma Evolution?"

Did you know that the appearance of flower parts can provide valuable information about the evolutionary history of individual plants, their species or genera?
This talk on the ginger genus Curcumawill focuses on ginger flowers and their reproductive organs. In this talk, Mgr. Eliska Zaveska from Charles University (Prague) will share and unveil answers to the Curcuma evolution puzzle.

All are welcome!

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: Function Hall, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Botany Centre (Enter by Tanglin Gate)
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

25 Feb (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 have two presentations.

Mr Low CK will talk about global warming, while NUS SAVE will talk about the activities they have organized in 2009 for students, such as raising awareness of global warming, as well as proposing recommendations to alleviate the situation.

Everyone is welcome!

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

Time: 8-10pm
Venue: Food#03 109 Rowell Road map
Website: Green Drinks Facebook Group
Contact: olivia@greendrinks.org

15-21 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• PrawnWatch at Sungei Buloh a hands on introduction to traditional prawn farming.

Walks in wild places

• Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin.
• Mangrove walk at Pasir Ris Park.
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Guided walk at the National Orchid Garden.

Talks this week

• 20 Feb (Sat): The Dragonfly Story at the Pasir Ris library

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• NSS Kids’ Fun with Migratory Birds at Ubin

Registration now open

• 29 Mar (Mon): Chek Jawa Intertidal Walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 21 Mar (Sun): Night workshop for kids - Fabulous Frogs & Terrific Toads! with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• 20 Mar (Sat): Night Workshop for kids - Bats are Beautiful! with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• 15 Mar (Mon): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for kids with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 28 Feb (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers.
• 27 Feb (Sat): Screening of "End of the Line" and get the WWF Singapore Seafood Guide
• 27 Feb (Sat): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Singapore news highlights
from wildsingapore news

• Singapore accused of launching 'Sand Wars' Barney Henderson, The Telegraph 12 Feb 10;
• Singapore animal groups growl over 8 Days' 'tiger skin' shots Victoria Vaughan, Straits Times 13 Feb 10;
• Year of no concern for the tiger? Letter from Natalie Cook, Today Online 12 Feb 10;
• Bird-ringing in Singapore for a better understanding Ong Dai Lin, Today Online 9 Feb 10;

Interesting Singapore nature blog posts

• Stonefish @ Tanah Merah video clip from sgbeachbum
• Life History of the Archduke from Butterflies of Singapore
• The Resident Common Bronzeback's Feast from Life's Indulgences
• Videos of corals off Semakau-Sakeng from wonderful creation
• A Good Outing @ Lornie Trail from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature
• Thing that goes 'tock' at night from The annotated budak
• Brahminy Blind Snake from Creatures Big & Small

Photo of the week is this little frog with a powerful song shared by Marcus on his Annotated Budak blog.

IMG_9067, originally uploaded by budak.

21 Feb (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

20 Feb (Sat): Prawnwatch at Sungei Buloh

Free guided introduction to traditional prawn farming. Go on a journey back to the past, where the history of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as prawn and fish farms is one not to be ignored. The importance of mangroves as a spawning place and nursery for prawns and other life played an important role in shaping Sungei Buloh today. The traditional method of prawn harvesting will be demonstrated and how the tidal influence play a part in this activity will be brought to life.

The highlight is a real hands-on demonstration of a prawn harvest. The kids will be thrilled to check out what comes up with the net, see real live prawns and learn more about our seafood and the tides.

The walk is approximately 5km on wide earthen trails. Suitable for older children who are reasonably fit.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups.

More about PrawnWatch on the Sungei Buloh website. More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website.

Time: Meet at 9.30am at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Information Counter.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for older 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

20 Feb (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

20 Feb (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

20 Feb (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

20 Feb (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 13 Feb.

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/

20 Feb (Sat): NSS Kids’ Fun with Migratory Birds at Ubin

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

The migratory season is here, and we’ll be checking out Pulau Ubin to see which birds have landed! Our feathered friends migrate to warm places like Singapore in the northern autumn and winter, which is typically from October to March in any given year. We also hope to spot resident birds like the charismatic Oriental Pied Hornbill and more as we stroll around the idyllic island. Our trip will end at the NSS Ubin House, right in the heart of Ubin village, which brims with nature paraphernalia, where we'll have a little quiz with prizes to be won.

Please register your kids (4 to 12 years old) with Gloria at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if you are a NSS member or not, your mobile number, and if you need us to loan you binoculars or not. A fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents are encouraged to come along at no charge.

Details will be emailed to those who sign up.

Time: 8.30-10am.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

20 Feb (Sat): Talk on "The Dragonfly Story"

Dragonflies have lived for more than 300 million years. They have evolved not only in size but also with human culture. Know more of this beautiful insect, how they adapt, the myths surrounding them, their life cycle and their importance in determining the quality of the natural environment. This talk is by Mr. Mohd Roslee, an NParks Officer working in the Nature Parks department of the National Parks Board. Besides his love for nature, his passion and interest in dragonflies are unparalleled.

Registration is not required.

Time: 3-4.30pm
Venue: Activity Room in Pasir Ris Public Library
Website and contact: http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/

15 Feb (Mon): The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk

The Pasir Panjang Guides commemorate the Malay Regiment's defense of the ridge every year. We will share with you stories about the Battle of Pasir Panjang, the geography, history and the flora and fauna that first drew us to explore the ridge decades ago.

This walk is conducted by the Raffles Museum Toddycats, volunteers of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, NUS. In collaboration with the National Archives of Singapore, NHB.

More details on the habitatnews blog.

Time: 7am - 12pm
Start Point: University Cultural Centre
Website: http://pasirpanjang.rafflesmuseum.net/

15 Feb (Mon): Istana Open House

The Istana grounds are open to the public in celebration of Chinese New Year.

View the Istana gardens, and for an entrance fee of $2, view the Staterooms in the Istana Building. A variety of performances on the grounds also provide entertainment. You may also have the chance to have your photos taken with the President and First Lady when they come by to greet visitors.

Istana open house
from Today Online 12 Feb 10;

The Istana grounds will be open to the public on Monday from 8.30am to 6pm for Chinese New Year.

There will be school bands and martial arts performances, and an exhibit of Falabella miniature horses by the Singapore Zoo.

Admission to the grounds is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents; others have to pay an entrance fee of $1. Proceeds from the sale of souvenirs and entrance fees collected will be donated to the Community Chest.

Time: 8.30am - 6pm
Venue: Entrance to the grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road.
Charges: Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents. Others, including foreign visitors, are required to pay an entrance fee of $1 per person.
Website: http://www.istana.gov.sg/

15 Feb (Mon): Revisiting History, Embracing Nature at Fort Canning Park

A Chinese New Year Special, this approximately two and a half hour programme will highlight the changing faces of Fort Canning through the centuries.

Once the seat of Malay royalty in the 14th century, it was home to colonial governors and turned into a fort in the 19th century. In modern times, it was used as a military base during the Second World War. Now, it is a lush and tranquil public park popular and known for hosting some major festivals like WOMAD, SINGFest and most recently F1 Rocks.

Included in this walk is entry into the Battle Box, a remnant bunker from World War II. This maze-like underground complex of 26 rooms and corridors was used by the British as the nerve centre for their military operations in South East Asia. Find out the significance of 15 Feb 1942 and how the Battle Box played a part in this heartbreaking moment in Singapore's history.

Walk is moderately easy but will involve walking up slopes and steps so do come dressed comfortably.

For registration and enquiries, please call 63321200 or 63321302 or email surinam_sumsudin@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 10am-12.30pm
Meeting place: Along courtyard outside NParks Visitor Centre, Fort Canning Centre
Cost: $8 (includes entrance fee to The Battle Box)
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

8-14 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

It's a long weekend and there's lots to see and do!

Special events on 15 Feb (Mon)

• The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk
• Istana Open House
• Revisiting History, Embracing Nature at Fort Canning Park

For kids and the family

• 9 Feb (Tue): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Walks in wild places

• NEW! Guided forest walk at Bukit Batok Nature Park.
• Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail.
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.

Go wild on your own!
Why not explore our wild places free-and-easy? Great destinations include Pulau Ubin and a wide range of seashores, mangroves and forest destinations. Lots of info for visitors on wildsingapore with tips on how to prepare for a trip, how to get there and what to see and do.

A tip for a long-weekend trip
Our wild places and parks can get VERY crowded on long weekends. The best way to avoid the crowds is to arrive early in the morning and leave early. Our wildlife is generally more active in the morning too!

Registration now open!

• 21 Mar (Sun): Night workshop for kids - Fabulous Frogs & Terrific Toads! with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• 20 Mar (Sat): Night Workshop for kids - Bats are Beautiful! with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• 15 Mar (Mon): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for kids with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• closes 14 Mar: Singapore BioDiverCity a photo competition by NParks to showcase our wildlife
• 28 Feb (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers.
• 15 Feb (Mon): The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk
• 9 Feb (Tue), 27 Feb (Sat): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Singapore news highlights
from wildsingapore news

• Wild boars hog the limelight in Thomson neighbourhood Kimberly Spykerman, Straits Times 8 Feb 10;
• Singing praises of Singapore: nature makes for Uniquely Singapore Bob Roberts Mirror 6 Feb 10;
• Shark's fin issue a matter of moral suasion, says MP Goh Chin Lian, Straits Times 7 Feb 10;
• 18 dolphins from Solomon Islands destined for Singapore are stranded in Subic Tonette Orejas, Philippine Daily Inquirer 5 Feb 10;
• New-era industrial park at Lorong Halus Straits Times 5 Feb 10;
• Illegal imports in Singapore at record high Food, animals, plants see biggest increase, Carolyn Quek, Straits Times 5 Feb 10;
• Tuas Power to start building coal-fired station soon Ronnie Lim, Business Times 3 Feb 10;
• ‘Don’t exploit tigers’: Singapore and Malaysian animal welfare groups Hilary Chiew, The Star 2 Feb 10;
• Riau wants Malaysia, Singapore to face up to oil spills Fadli, The Jakarta Post 2 Feb 10;

Interesting Singapore nature blog posts

• Exposing children to beauty of beaches, can help them appreciate nature from The Lazy Lizard's Tales
• Sitting Pretty: Colour morphology and hunting success in orb web spiders from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!
• Butterfly of the Month - Celebrating the Year of the Tiger from Butterflies of Singapore
• Going, going, gone - the end of Ngee Ann Stream (almost) from Water Quality in Singapore
• Blog Log: 31 January 2010 from Pulau Hantu
• Seahorse search at sunset from wild shores of singapore
• Is acidity a problem in streams of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR)? from Water Quality in Singapore
• 2 Feb is World Wetlands Day from wild shores of singapore

Photo of the week is this gorgeous 'furry' legged Carpenter bee shared by John Lee, a self-taught young entomologist specialising in bees and wasps. Read all about John and his work in Singapore and Hong Kong, in Part 1 and Part 2 interviews by Marcus Ng. And all about Singapore's bees, on the Celebrating Singapore's Biodiversity blog.

Photo by John Lee from his Asian Hornet Net website.

14 Feb (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

13 Feb (Sat): Guided forest tour at Bukit Batok Nature Park

This one hour tour at Bukit Batok Nature Park highlights the interesting plants and wildlife that can be found in an established secondary forest habitat. The walk will allow participants to appreciate the importance of forests in their daily lives.

To register, please contact Ms Dinu at dinushini_williams@nparks.gov.sg or Ms Ng at ng_kim_yan@nparks.gov.sg.

Guided tour will commence once 15 persons sign up.

More about Bukit Batok Nature Park on the wildsingapore website.

Time: 9-10am
Meet at: Meeting Point 2 - Bukit Batok Nature Park
Cost: $4 per person
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

13 Feb (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

13 Feb (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

9 Feb (Tue): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place

While February is a happy time for us to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Tiger, it is also a sad time for the wild tiger and for people who love them. Tigers are in great danger. There are only 500 tigers left in Malaysia. We have no tigers left in Singapore. Tigers are killed for people who like to eat their exotic meat and people who value medicines made from their bones and other parts. Help us keep tigers alive. Find out more about tigers and how you can play a part to save them.

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: 27 Feb (Sat)
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/

1-7 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• Kampong Ubin walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh.
• Our Kitchen Garden Tour at Pasir Ris.
• HeArt for Nature art workshop for kids at Lower Pierce Reservoir.

Walks in wild places

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

Special events

• 6 Feb (Sat): Youth Forum on Animal Welfare- Animals Matter to Me! for youth advocates (13-35 years old)
  
• 5 Feb (Fri): Workshop for Nature Guides - Life Between the Tides Where are our shores? What has been lost? And what can we do for them?
  
  

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Plant Walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
• Birdwatching at Kranji Marsh

NEW! Singapore BioDiverCity a photo competition by NParks to showcase our wildlife. Share YOUR photos of our wonderful biodiversity! Winning entries will be showcased in roving exhibitions around Singapore, including the World Cities Summit. What a great way to tell everyone that Singapore has wild places and wildlife! Closing date for entries 14 Mar.

NEW! I love SG reefs! a new facebook group about Singapore reefs. What can you see? How can you dive our reefs?

NEW! Speak up for the wild and natural places that you love. Do the URA survey! More details on wild shores of singapore

Registration now open

• 28 Feb (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers.
• 9 Feb (Tue), 27 Feb (Sat): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Singapore news highlights
from wildsingapore news

• Challenges in protecting biodiversity in Singapore New finds still being made, even as balance is sought between conservation and development, Grace Chua, Straits Times 30 Jan 10;
• A year of going green in Singapore Straits Times 30 Jan 10;
• Rare bird spotted in Singapore Today Online 30 Jan 10;
• Cycling paths: Hikers need space too Sunday Times 31 Jan 10;
• Punggol to get green makeover Jessica Cheam, Straits Times 29 Jan 10;
• Littering in parks and beaches: set a shutdown quota Straits Times Forum 28 Jan 10;
• Litterbugs turn public parks into rubbish dumps Amresh Gunasingham Straits Times 25 Jan 10;

Interesting Singapore nature blog posts

• A world without from The annotated budak
• Water Competitions for Students in Singapore from Water Quality in Singapore
• Pulau Semakau: Glimpse of the past in NewspaperSG from wild shores of singapore
• Coming soon: Singapore's new natural history museum! from wild shores of singapore
• A morning of action at SBWR from The Simplicities in Life
• Rich Biodiversity @ Temasek Junior College Part 3 from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature
• Life History of the Two-Spotted Line-Blue from Butterflies of Singapore
• Common Kingfisher and the fish that got away from Bird Ecology Study Group
• Nature in Singapore: worms transformed and good and bad vines from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!

Photo of the week is a glimpse of our wild reefs at Pulau Hantu shared by Debby Ng of the Hantu Blog. Visit the blog to learn more about how you can join a dive at Hantu. Check out the most viewed videos too!

coral reef, originally uploaded by Debby Ng, Hantu Blogger.

7 Feb (Sun): MAD lesson on tigers with Cicada Tree Eco Place

While February is a happy time for us to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Tiger, it is also a sad time for the wild tiger and for people who love them. Tigers are in great danger. There are only 500 tigers left in Malaysia. We have no tigers left in Singapore. Tigers are killed for people who like to eat their exotic meat and people who value medicines made from their bones and other parts. Help us keep tigers alive. Find out more about tigers and how you can play a part to save them.

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: 9 Feb (Tue) and 27 Feb (Sat)
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/

7 Feb (Sun): Plant Walk at Sungei Buloh

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

This is the second walk in our mangrove series, after the first in Chek Jawa. Join Gerard Francis and the Plant Group for a stroll along the Mangrove Boardwalk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR). Singapore has half of all the mangrove species in the world and many of them can be found at SBWR. Observe their unique adaptations such as air breathing roots and fruits that germinate on the mother plant. By the end of the walk, you should be able to identify at least ten mangrove trees with the help of an identification key hand-out. The mangrove mudflats also teem with mudskippers, tree climbing crabs, migrant shorebirds, Malayan Water Monitors and the occasional crocodile.

Time: 8.30am. Meet at Sungei Buloh Visitor Centre. Take bus service 925 from Kranji MRT station.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

7 Feb (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.

Mandarin guided tour at 9.45-11.15am. Please register at 67941401 to book this free guided tour. A minimum of 5 participants to start the tour. Limited to maximum 15 persons.

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

7 Feb (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: 2-3.30pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, meet at the Information Counter at the Visitor Centre
Website and contact: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/

6 Feb (Sat): Youth Forum on Animal Welfare- Animals Matter to Me!

Calling all youth advocates for animals (13 – 35 years old)!

This first-of-its kind community dialogue with politicians on animal welfare is a chance to engage in a dialogue with Dr. Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman (Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of National Development and MP for Sembawang GRC), Dr. Lim Wee Kiak (MP for Sembawang GRC), and Mr. Louis Ng (Executive Director, ACRES and Chong Pang YEC Environment and Animal Welfare Secretary).

This is your chance to play a greater role in animal welfare issues, give constructive feedback and help shape animal welfare policies in Singapore.

The Forum is organised by Chong Pang CC Youth Executive Committee (YEC), in partnership with ACRES.

To register, email louis@acres.org.sg with your full name and email address.

Time: 2-5pm
Venue: Chong Pang Community Club Hall, 21 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 768677 map
Website: http://www.acres.org.sg/Youth-Forum.html

6 Feb (Sat): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes with G Sreedharan

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

We begin with a pleasant walk along a countryside road to the Kranji Marshes where we will walk along the PUB Bund. The marshes are designated by URA as a Nature Park and are currently adopted by NSS under the PUB’s ABC Waters Programme. Birding highlights here include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-browed Crake, Changeable Hawk Eagle and more.

Booking required by 27 January 2010 (Max: 20 pax). Email sreed@tp.edu.sg

Time: 7.45am. Meet at the Kranji Dam Carpark near the Tidal Gates of Kranji Reservoir (off Kranji Way). Reachable by Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station. We will carpool from here.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

6 Feb (Sat): Edible and medicinal plants tour at the Botanic Gardens

Join this free tour by our volunteer guides and spice up your knowledge of Edible and Medicinal Plants.

This tour is conducted every first Saturday. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre, 15 minutes before the tour starts.

More information on the Singapore Botanic Gardens website.

Time: 9am and 10am, register 15 minutes before the tour at Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services (6471 7361)

6 Feb (Sat): Our Kitchen Garden tour at Pasir Ris Park

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

Suitable for children from K1-P6 levels.

To register, please contact Wei Teng at 64653305 or email chong_wei_teng@nparks.gov.sg

This walk is conducted every first Saturday of the month

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