28 Jun (Mon): Kranji Nature Walk with the Nature Society Singapore

Join this free nature walk at the beautiful Kranji Reservoir Marsh tucked in a remote corner of Singapore. Get away from it all and enjoy the interesting wildlife and the scenic landscape of Kranji Reservoir and the countryside.
This event is part of Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2010, an annual global platform for water solutions that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world.

For more information and to register contact Karen Neo L C NEO_Lay_Cheng@pub.gov.sg or call 67313276. She can also arrange chartered buses for group visits.

For more information about the Nature Society Singapore's work on Kranji Marsh, see Happenings at Kranji Marsh

Time: 8.30am.
Website: http://www.siww.com.sg/

28 Jun (Mon): Guided tour of Berlayar Creek by Keppel Club

Find out more about the richly diverse eco-system and exotic birds of Berlayar Creek and learn about the history surrounding this Creek. This guided tour takes about two hours.

Capacity: Max 60 pax per slot

This event is part of Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2010, an annual global platform for water solutions that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world.

For more information and to register contact Karen Neo L C NEO_Lay_Cheng@pub.gov.sg or call 67313276. She can also arrange chartered buses for group visits.

Time: 9am
Venue: Keppel Club
Website: http://www.siww.com.sg/

21-27 Jun: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Walk on The Wild Side! with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• Let’s Discover Plants & Animals a guided tour for kids
• Fun with Maths & Plants!
• Young Mathematician of the Garden
• "Creatures in Nature" Drama workshop for kids
• Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
• Free Chek Jawa Boardwalk Tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs

Going wild in our wild places

• Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers
• Paint Along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh
• Kranji Nature Walk with the Nature Society Singapore
• MacRitchie Reservoir Guided Walk
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Evolution garden guided walk

Talk and film screening

• 26 Jun (Sat): "Dead or Alive?" a talk by Nparks
• 24 Jun (Thu): Screening of "The Age of Stupid"

Early next week

• 28 Jun (Mon): Guided tour of Berlayar Creek by Keppel Club

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Kampong Chantek Ramble

Specially for Singapore shore guides: veteran, newbie, wannabe! A weekly series of intensive workshops (8 Jul - 5 Aug) that covers all our favourite shore ecosystems, and ends with a field session! Registration now open.

Highlights of Singapore nature news

• Singapore, Johor study cross-border eco-tourist attraction on Sungei Buloh and three Johor sites Joanne Chan Channel NewsAsia 19 Jun 10;
  
• All major canals to be reviewed: Yaacob Goh Chin Lian Straits Times 20 Jun 10;
• Orchard Road floods: 'Not acceptable' Grace Chua Straits Times 19 Jun 10;
• Blocked drain blamed for Orchard Road flood Grace Chua & Victoria Vaughan Straits Times 18 Jun 10;
• Hip Deep on Singapore's Orchard Road Wrath of Mother Nature and Climate Change? Lee Poh Onn Asian Sentinel 17 Jun 10;
• PUB probes Orchard Rd flood Grace Chua Straits Times 17 Jun 10;

Highlights of Singapore nature blogs

• Sungei Buloh: Bigger and Better - the Master Plan from wild shores of singapore
• Aftemath Of The Oil Spill - Tanah Merah (2) from Colourful Clouds
• Chek Jawa seagrasses after the oil spill (19 Jun 10) from teamseagrass
• So Just What is Shark Fin Soup? from EcoWalkthetalk
• "Pulau Ubin, Singapore's Nature Reserve" from wild shores of singapore
• More bleaching at Terumbu Semakau from wonderful creation
• Project Semakau Volunteer Recruitment from Raffles Museum News
• Life on a stretch of Kallang River from Life's Indulgences
• Bleaching at Cyrene from wild shores of singapore
• Checkup on Tanah Merah coral garden from wonderful creation
• Beting Bronok annual checkup from wonderful creations
• Seagrass habitats are important! (Changi) from Psychedelic Nature

Photo of the week is this stunning cover of Dr Chua Ee Kiam's latest book, "Wetland in a City" that was just launched. Read more about the book on wild shores of singapore.

27 Jun (Sun): Kranji Nature Walk with the Nature Society Singapore

Join this free nature walk at the beautiful Kranji Reservoir Marsh tucked in a remote corner of Singapore. Get away from it all and enjoy the interesting wildlife and the scenic landscape of Kranji Reservoir and the countryside.
The walk is conducted by the Nature Society under the PUB's ABC Waters Programe.

The walk is free and open to all, but pre-registration is required. To register, email kranji@nss.org.sg

This walk is held every last weekend of the month.

For more information about the Nature Society Singapore's work on Kranji Marsh, see Happenings at Kranji Marsh

Time: 8am.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

27 Jun (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: Shelter 2 and 3, Mangrove Boardwalk.
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

27 Jun (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

27 Jun (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

26 Jun (Sat): Walk on The Wild Side! with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Yes, kids, June 26th is the day we get to know about some interesting friends you may never have met before! We’ll be leading you along the Lower Peirce Trail where certain forest friends live, like the mousedeer, pangolin and colugo. Strange names, right? Come and find out about them!

Photo by Chan Kwok Wai.

There’s more! Our trail is also home to monitor lizards and monkeys. If we’re lucky that day (and why shouldn’t we be?) we might spot our feathered friends - drongos, babblers, barbets, cuckoos, flowerpeckers, sunbirds, an eagle or two, and we might prick up our ears to hear the regal kingfishers! Our nature guides will be telling us the proper names, and we will learn more about your new friends. Come along! We’ll be walking along shady boardwalks, and it will be nice and cool. It will be quite enchanting, as Lower Peirce is tucked away from the noise of the city. This will be a great nature break!

What to bring: Water in your re-usable water bottle, and herbal insect repellent. Be sure to dress cool in cotton clothing, and bring a hat and a poncho to be prepared for any kind of weather!

For enquiries and registration, please contact Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg

Minimum of 15 kids required for walk to go ahead.

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Meeting point: Main Entrance car park of Lower Peirce Reservoir Park, Old Upper Thomson Road.
Cost: $15 per child. Accompanying adults at no charge.
Website:http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

26 Jun (Sat): MacRitchie Reservoir Guided Walk

Learn more about MacRitchie Reservoir's eventful history spanning over 130 years, the interesting flora and fauna, as well as the activities you can enjoy at the reservoir. The tour will be guided by volunteers from MacRitchie Reservoir’s adopter, MediaCorp. Tour will take about two hours.

This event is part of Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2010, an annual global platform for water solutions that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world.

For more information and to register contact Karen Neo L C NEO_Lay_Cheng@pub.gov.sg or call 67313276. She can also arrange chartered buses for group visits.

Time: 9am
Website: http://www.siww.com.sg/

26 Jun (Sat): Kampong Chantek Ramble

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Led by Rehan Yusoff of The Nature Ramblers, we will stroll through old kampong trails where local fruits like the durian, rambai, chempedak, jackfruit and mango grow wild. If we are lucky, we might even get to pick and taste some of these. The second part of the trip will see us ambling through the countryside on the way to Zhenghua Park. Bring along your binoculars and camera for a spot of birdwatching and wildflower photography.

Time: 7.30am.
Meet at the carpark of Bukit Timah Hawker Centre. This 8km/4hour ramble ends at Zhenghua HDB estate.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

26 Jun (Sat): Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh

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

Limited to 40 children between the age of 6-10 years old. Registration is required.

More information on the programme and registration form on the Reserve website.

Time: 9am- 5pm
Cost: Each participant needs to purchase a young naturalist passport from the Visitor Services Counter at 50 cents. Registration of $5 is applicable, and cheques will be returned upon attendance and completion of the camp. The fee will be donated to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve education fund if the child fails to turn up for the camp upon registration and confirmation. Admission charges (50 cents per child) apply.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: 67941401

26 Jun (Sat): Let’s Discover Plants & Animals - a guided tour for kids

Apart from plants, we often come across many animals in the Gardens, such as, birds, frogs, squirrels, butterflies, dragonflies, ants, earthworms. Be amazed by the many different types of animals in Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden! Learn fascinating facts about wildlife in the Garden and pick up tips on respecting them in nature and our environment. You may even have the chance to get up-close-and-personal with an oriental whip snake and a monitor lizard too!

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/

26 Jun (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.

There's also a Marine Fish Tour at 9.30am.

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

26 Jun (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 event and how to get to Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin on the Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs blog.

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

26 Jun (Sat): Talk on "Dead or Alive?" by Nparks

Are dead tress useless? No there are not. It is not widely known that dead trees make up a vibrant ecosystem by themselves, supporting a wide range living things like birds, insects and fungi.

Dead trees have a lot of other uses so come to this talk for more information and understand the importance of dead trees in various aspects of our environment.

This talk to suitable for children aged 7 onwards and their parents.

Time: 3-4pm
Venue: Bishan Public Library, Activity Room

26 Jun (Sat): Evolution garden guided walk

A free guided walk of the Evolution Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a 1.5-hectare area dedicated to telling the amazing story of how plants gave us life, and how, long before we humans arrived, they started to evolve into the myriad complex life forms that we see today.

Take a journey through time, from the fiery planet that our world was in ancient times before memory, through the planet of dinosaurs, and into the modern world of 250,000 different flowering plants we enjoy today.

Journey through time with our volunteer guides in this one-hour tour.

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

24 Jun (Thu): Screening of "The Age of Stupid"

From the producer of the Oscar-winning "One Day in September" comes an ambitious drama-documentary-animation hybrid about the consequences of not acting now to halt climate change.

"The Age of Stupid" stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055. Watching 'archive' footage from 2008, he asks "why didn't we stop climate change while we had the chance?"

The screening of this climate blockbuster is brought to you by Young NTUC, NTUC FairPrice, World Wildlife Fund and supported by British High Commissions. Part of the 350 Singapore initiatives.

Time: 7-9.30pm
Venue: NTUC Auditorium, Level 7 NTUC Centre, One Marina Boulevard
Cost: Free but pre-registration is required. (Each participant will receive an eco-bag containing snacks and
product samples)
Website: http://yntuc.sg/ageofstupid contact angjd@ntuc.org.sg

24 Jun (Thu): Fun with Maths & Plants!

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/

24 Jun (Thu): 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/

22 Jun (Tue): "Creatures in Nature" Drama workshop for kids

Samuel Squirrel Shows Responsibility

Discover nature and its creatures through story, dramatization and the use of props in this drama series! Centered on nature and creatures whose habitat are gardens and rainforests, each workshop will feature a creature and a character building value to educate children to emulate the good value in their lives.

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

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels

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

14-20 Jun: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Nature Craft - Origami at Pasir Ris for kids
• The Birthday Day Party a guided tour for kids

HortPark Family Fiesta 2010

• Night Workshop: Fabulous Frogs & Terrific Toads!
• Bugs & Slugs! What's Wild at HortPark?
• Butterfly Garden Tour
• Bats are beautiful! - a night workshop for kids

Walks in wild places

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

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Mangrove walk at Pasir Ris

Registration now open

• 27 Jun (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers
• 26 Jun (Sat): Walk on The Wild Side! with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Highlights of Singapore nature news

• Are we ready to handle a larger oil spill? Straits Times Forum 14 Jun 10;
• Singapore is getting HOTTER Shuli Sudderuddin Straits Times 13 Jun 10;
• Changi East Oil Spill: Dispersion of oil not ideal 'but still best method' Janice Tai Straits Times 10 Jun 10;
• Sand dredgers back in Cambodia The Phnom Penh Post 9 Jun 10;

Highlights of Singapore nature blogs

• Crude Oi! residue @ Tanah Merah & ECP - 13June2010 from sgbeachbum
• How's Changi doing after the oil spill? from wild shores of singapore
• My First Visit To Bukit Batok Nature Park from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature
• Coral bleaching in the region from wild shores of singapore
• Oil spill at Changi East: What impact of dispersants? from wild shores of singapore
• Athyrium accedens: New Record of Fern for Singapore from Flying Fish Friends
• Been to Cyrene: Succulent Drumstick and Mystery Tentacles from Cyrene Reef Exposed!
• World Ocean Day: Voices From The Ocean from colourful clouds

Photo of the Week is this stunning moth which is appearing in large numbers. Read more about Lyssa zampa, the tropical swallowtail moth from Habitatnews and how you can report your Lyssa sightings to Siva!

20 Jun (Sun): Mangrove Walk at Pasir Ris Park

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Join the Plant Group for a stroll amongst the mangroves at Pasir Ris Park. Singapore has half of all known mangrove species in the world. How many of these 36 species can we find here? A mangrove identification key will be given out.

Time: 9am. Meet at Pasir Ris Park’s Carpark C
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

20 Jun (Sun): Night Workshop: Fabulous Frogs & Terrific Toads! at HortPark Family Fiesta 2010

Find out how you can make a positive difference to frogs and toads and their habitats. Learn about the diversity of frogs and toads in Singapore, their life cycle, where they live, what they eat, what may eat them, and the threats they face daily.

Suitable for children above 5 years old.

Part of HortPark Family Fiesta 2010, this is a collaboration between NParks and Cicada Tree Eco-Place.

Time: 5.30-8pm
Venue: HortPark, Hands-On-House
Cost: $20 per child
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

20 Jun (Sun): Bugs & Slugs! What's Wild at HortPark? at HortPark Family Fiesta 2010

Join this fun walk with us to find out more about our garden friends. You are advised to wear cool cotton clothing and a good pair of walking shoes as we will be walking in the HortPark garden. Make sure your water bottle is full too.

The walk will take place regardless of rain or shine. Be prepared for the weather by bringing along both a hat and a poncho!

Suitable for children above 5 years old.

Part of HortPark Family Fiesta 2010, this is a collaboration between NParks and Cicada Tree Eco-Place.

Time: 3-4pm
Venue: HortPark, Hands-On-House
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

20 Jun (Sun): Butterfly Garden Tour at HortPark Family Fiesta 2010

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 event is part of HortPark Family Fiesta 2010.

Time: 9-11am, 4-6pm, please gather at the Butterfly Garden for the tour
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 6471 5601

20 Jun (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

19 Jun (Sat): Bats are beautiful! - a night workshop for kids

Bats are awesome flying mammals. They are important to us as they help to pollinate plants that in turn produce fruit for us. Insect-eating bats help to control our insect-pest numbers, while fruit-eating bats help to disperse seeds that contribute to our forests. Join us for a bat-watching session to learn all about these awesome flying mammals, and discover how they play an important ecological role in our environment.

Suitable for children between 5-11 years old.

Limited to the first 30 sign-ups. Registration is on first-come-first-serve-basis. Closing date: 2 days before each programme. Please note that each workshop will only commence with minimum 15 participants. This is a collaboration between NParks and Cicada Tree Eco-Place.

Time: 5.30-8pm
Cost: $20 per child (materials included)
Venue: HortPark, Hands-On House
Contact: For more information or registration, please contact HortPark Visitor Services Counter at 6471-5601 or NPARKS_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg

19 Jun (Sat): Bugs & Slugs! What's Wild at HortPark? at HortPark Family Fiesta 2010

Join this fun walk with us to find out more about our garden friends. You are advised to wear cool cotton clothing and a good pair of walking shoes as we will be walking in the HortPark garden. Make sure your water bottle is full too.

The walk will take place regardless of rain or shine. Be prepared for the weather by bringing along both a hat and a poncho!

Suitable for children above 5 years old.

Part of HortPark Family Fiesta 2010, this is a collaboration between NParks and Cicada Tree Eco-Place.

Time: 3-4pm
Venue: HortPark, Hands-On-House
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19 Jun (Sat): Butterfly Garden Tour at HortPark Family Fiesta 2010

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 event is part of HortPark Family Fiesta 2010.

Time: 9-11am, 4-6pm, please gather at the Butterfly Garden for the tour
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 6471 5601

19 Jun (Sat): Nature Craft - Origami - at Pasir Ris for kids

Been to Pasir Ris park and seen the animal around? Want to master the traditional art of paper folding? We have squirrels, frogs, prawns and more!

Suitable for kids 8 to 12 years.

To register, please email Lili at lin_lili@nparks.gov.sg. Registration closes 3 days before the event. Classes will commence with minimum 15 persons per session

Time: 11-12.30pm
Cost: $10/person(includes materials)
Venue: D'Space, Pasir Ris Park (Carpark E)
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19 Jun (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 two days 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:Lili at lin_lili@nparks.gov.sg

19 Jun (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.

There's also a Marine Fish Tour at 9.30am.

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

19 Jun (Sat): Rainforest walk at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the largest surviving primary rainforest in Singapore. Come and join us on a fascinating journey of discovery to learn more about the natural wonders of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and why we should protect and conserve its complex ecosystem and diversity.

At this walk, the guide will introduce you to the common native flora and fauna found in the primary rainforest.

This guided walk is suitable for families with children and groups of not more than 5. Along a slightly undulating natural path, 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.

Registration is required at least a week before the walk. Contact Vanessa Chang at 6554 5127 or Vanessa_CHANG@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 9.30am. Meet at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, at the ranger counter.
Tour duration: About one hour.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19 Jun (Sat): Guided walk at the National Orchid Garden

Explore the beauty and diversity of orchids in the National Orchid Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Since 1859, orchids have been closely associated with the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The products of the Gardens' orchid breeding programme, which began in 1928, deserve a place where they can be displayed in their full splendour. The very design of these orchids is, one could say, 'hand-crafted' by the Gardens' horticultural staff, dedicated to bringing out the finest in any hybrid cross.

Over 1000 species and 2,000 hybrids are now found in the Gardens' collection, with about 600 species and hybrids on display. Every year, more vibrant and enduring hybrids are added on. So that all may admire and enjoy their diversity, richness and beauty, the National Orchid Garden now offers a permanent showcase, the largest display of tropical orchids in the world.

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

19 Jun (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 12 June.

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. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin.
Cost: $60 per group of 15 persons, maximum 6 groups
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

15 Jun (Tue): The Birthday Day Party - a guided tour for kids

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

Suitable for children in K1 – P2 levels.

To register, email nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg or call 64719961 or register online at www.sbg.org.sg (under "Education")

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $8.50 per child (includes $2.50 “The Birthday Party. Sara at the Children’s Garden” workbook); $6 per accompanying parent.
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 6471 9961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg

7-13 Jun: Highlights of the week ahead

Now open for booking, Chek Jawa intertidal walks for Jul-Dec 2010. More details on the NParks Chek Jawa page and wild shores of singapore.

For kids and the family

• Getting To Know Our Dipterocarps: Elders Of Our Forest at Yishun Park
• All about edible plants a tour for kids
• Let’s Discover Plants & Animals a guided tour for kids
• Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh

Planning for the June school holidays? Publicised events for all of June have been uploaded on the blog! Here's some highlights. Or see the full list and register early for your favourite activities!

Walks in wild places

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

Other walks

• Wallace Education Centre Gallery walk

Other outdoor events

• 13-27 Jun: Fly High @ West Coast Park - kite-flying for everyone.

For Nature Society members only

• Birdwatching at Pulau Ubin

Registration now open

• 27 Jun (Sun): Dive Pulau Hantu with the Hantu Bloggers
• 26 Jun (Sat): Walk on The Wild Side! with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• 20 Jun (Sun): Fabulous Frogs & Terrific Toads! a night workshop for kids
• 19 Jun Sat and 20 Jun (Sun): Bugs & Slugs! What's Wild at HortPark?
• 19 Jun (Sat): Bats are beautiful! a night workshop for kids

Other on-going events and announcements

• Video competition - "Love Green: Just Bin it" closing date 27 Jun.
• BiodiverCity Voters' Choice competition closing date 20 Jun.
• From 1 Jun: Free entry to National Heritage Board Museums

Highlights of Singapore nature news

• Get updates on the oil spill off Changi East on the Oil Spill Facebook Page or via wild shores of singapore and wildsingapore news.
• Weather causes 30% drop in durian output in Johor Moh Farhaan Shah, The Star 7 Jun 10;
• Green shoots in Singapore Venessa Lee Today Online 5 Jun 10;
• 'We're environmentally pampered' A chat with Howard Shaw, executive director of the S'pore Environment Council by Venessa Lee Today Online 5 Jun 10;
• Probe into illegal sale of bear parts at expo Victoria Vaughan Straits Times 3 Jun 10;
• Silence the sand critics The authorities should take this chance to refute inaccuracies, be proactive Letter from Eugene Tay Tse Chuan Today Online 2 Jun 10;
• Sand import controls in place: JTC Jessica Cheam Straits Times 2 Jun 10;
• Singapore Tries to Green Up Its Act David Fogarty The New York Times 30 May 10;

Highlights of Singapore nature blogs

• Oil spill: What long term effects on our marine life? from wild shores of singapore
• World Environment Day - Coastal Cleanup - Marine threats from Psychedelic Nature
• Malaysian Railway land is a ready-made green corridor from Habitatnews
• World Environment Day @ Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve from colourful clouds
• Life History of the Striped Albatross from Butterflies of Singapore
• Two Common Blues @ Toa Payoh Town Park from Beauty of Fauna and Flora
• A Tinsel Surprise from Butterflies of Singapore
• Coral bleaching on our Southern shores? from wild shores of singapore
• Admiralty Park the Macro Haven from Macro Photography in Singapore
• Nature lovers band together amidst oil spill tragedy from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!
• Toddycats reports from Operation No Release 2010 from Toddycats!
• Sad Scene of Sharks @ Semakau from Where Discovery Begins
• Spectacular coral reef of Kusu from wonderful creation
• Adventure on Pulau Jong from Nature's Wonders

Photo of the week is this poor anemone fish in a bleaching sea anemone. This was one of the many photos Karenne Tun shared of bleaching at Pulau Hantu and Raffles Lighthouse. Bleach Watch Singapore has more about coral bleaching on Singapore's reefs and what this means.

13 Jun (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

13-27 Jun: Fly High @ West Coast Park

Come down this June holidays to learn how to make a kite! Make your own little kite, personalise it and watch it fly high on our Grand Lawn! This workshop also features demonstration of stunt kites by professionals!
To register, please contact Lili at lin_lili@nparks.gov.sg. Registration closes 3 days before the workshop or when the class is full.

Time: 3-4.30pm
Venue: West Coast Park - Grand Lawn Stage (near playground and carpark 3)
Cost: $3.50/person
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

13 Jun (Sun): Birdwatching at Pulau Ubin

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Ali Jaffa leads the trip. We will take a bumboat to Pulau Ubin, an island that never fails to surprise, with many new sights to discover. Here, we will look for specialties of this island including the Red Junglefowl, Oriental Pied Hornbill and globally-endangered Straw-headed Bulbul.


Time: 7.30am. Meet at Changi Jetty.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Jun (Sat): Young Naturalist Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh

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

Limited to 40 children between the age of 6-10 years old. Registration is required.

More information on the programme and registration form on the Reserve website.

Time: 9am- 5pm
Cost: Each participant needs to purchase a young naturalist passport from the Visitor Services Counter at 50 cents. Registration of $5 is applicable, and cheques will be returned upon attendance and completion of the camp. The fee will be donated to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve education fund if the child fails to turn up for the camp upon registration and confirmation. Admission charges (50 cents per child) apply.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: 67941401

12 Jun (Sat): Wallace Education Centre Gallery walk

Learn more about our forests, from the 18th century until today and find out how you can play a part in biodiversity conservation.
This guided walk is held every second Saturday of the month.

More details about the Wallace Education Centre on the NParks website.

Please call 3 days in advance at 65545127 to register for the walk.

Time: 9.30-10.30am
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park, Wallace Education Centre
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

12 Jun (Sat): Trees of the Fort

Embark on this adventure and discover the secret lives of our heritage trees and more!
Our nature-loving guides from The Green Volunteers will walk you through this public park that has undergone a series of historical transformation through the centuries. Although much of the original vegetation has disappeared due to these changes, active greening efforts have converted this once formidable fort into an idyllic respite from the hustle and bustle of city life amidst lush and magnificent trees. Meet the Towering Kapok, Flaky Gelam, Gnarled Madras Thorn and many more.

Learn how plants and animals have co-existed and to a certain extent become co-dependant on one another for survival. Immerse yourself in the sounds of nature orchestrated by chirping birds and shrilling cicadas as you walk along the trail.

In a vastly developed urban jungle, Fort Canning offers that unique pocket of biodiversity to appreciate the greenery within our vibrant city.

This is a free public outreach programme in the park, held every second Saturday.

Time: 4-6 pm
Venue: Meet at courtyard, opposite NParks Visitor Centre, Fort Canning Centre
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 6332 1200 or lee_weiling@nparks.gov.sg or or visit thegreenvolunteers.blogspot.com

12 Jun (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

12 Jun (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