wild happenings in singapore: 2011

31 Dec (Sat): HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour

HortPark's Butterfly Garden is a 150-sqm landscaped theme garden comprising an enclosure and an outdoor garden. Providing a visual feast of tropical plants and nearly 20 species of native butterflies, the Butterfly Garden enables visitors to learn about the different stages of metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar into butterfly. Within the enclosure, visitors are greeted with an up close and personal encounter with these flying jewels and can observe how pupae emerge into adult butterflies before taking their maiden flight.

The Butterfly Garden also serves as an experimental garden for National Parks Board to work on a Butterfly Species Recovery Programme to research on suitable nectar and host plants for breeding a variety of butterfly species, including locally extinct species such as Clipper (Parthenos sylvia) and Common Sergeant (Athyma perius).

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 free and is held every last Saturday of the month.

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

31 Dec (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 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

19-25 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

"Save our Wildlife" fundraising dinner for ACRES
Fun with Maths & Plants!
Young Mathematician of the Garden

Walks in wild places

Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
Evolution Garden guided tour.

Explore our wild places on your own! Try out NParks' DIY trail guides. More about our wild places, what to see and do on wildsingapore. A tip for hassle-free explorations during peak periods: visit early and leave early. The animals are more active in the cool morning anyway!

25 Dec (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

24 Dec (Sat): Evolution Garden guided tour

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 Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre.

Time: 9am (English tour)
Venue: Register at Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre before the tour starts.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361

24 Dec (Sat): "Save our Wildlife" fundraising dinner for ACRES

All are warmly invited, family and friends, to a VEGE great festive dinner at Livingreens to raise some funds for ACRES. All kids get to make their own native animal masks, free! PLEASE bring bells, whistles, rattles - Impromptu singing, carolling and caterwauling may happen!

ACRES is a local charity and Singapore's first wildlife rescue centre devoted to caring and housing confiscated wildlife from the illegal wildlife smuggling trade. ACRES also runs its centre as an educational facility, doing outreach to create awareness about the importance of conserving and protecting wildlife and their habitats. ACRES will be selling their teeshirts plus other merchandise, so get your last minute Xmas presents here! All proceeds go to ACRES. More about ACRES http://www.acres.org.sg/

Enjoy festive fare of hearthy pumpkin pickle appetiser, salad roll, La Mian & Shepard's Pie with cabbage, Christmas Pudding, Livingreens special fruit drink and hot tea. All vegan, and suitable for Buddhists too.

Please register with Andrew Tay andrew.tay@pacific.net.sg To confirm your seat/s, please send cheque payment made payable to "Livingreens LLP" to: 38 Toa Payoh Lor.5, #08-499, S(310038). Or promise to pay on the spot, we'll take your word for it.

This is Battyboo with Babyboo, rescued by ACRES. Mommy's right wing got snagged on fishing line litter and had to be amputated off. Gave birth to baby after her rescue. She is a Dusky Fruit Bat, a native rare species of bat who helps to grow forests by dispersing seeds of trees.

Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Livingreens organic vegan restaurant, 325 Beach Road (opposite Concourse building) Near Nicoll Highway MRT Station, Singapore 199559 Tel. 63965523 www.livingreens.com.sg
Dinner price: Adults $50, Kids aged 7 to 11 yrs $25, kids 6 yrs and below free.

24 Dec (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

22 Dec (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/

22 Dec (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/

12-18 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

Walks in wild places

Fascinating Forest at Labrador
Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin
Fort Canning Spice Trail guided walk
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.

Film this week

14 Dec (Wed): Free screening of "A Fall from Freedom" by ACRES

18 Dec (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

17 Dec (Sat): Fort Canning Spice Trail guided walk

"Revisiting History, Embracing Nature"
Join us as we guide you along The Fort Canning Spice Trail and discover the fascinating world of spices.

This trail sits on the site of Singapore’s first experimental and botanical garden. A small replica of the 19ha garden, it now has a collection of more than a hundred species of plants - spice, herbs, medicinal, economical and ornamentals. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) trees, which were planted extensively in the first garden, can be found there as well.

Other attractions along this trail also includes the Archaeological Dig, which showcases the actual excavation site, the only such exhibition in modern Singapore, and Keramat, believed to be a tomb of Singapore’s last king, Sultan Iskandar Syah.

Whether it is botanical or historical, learning about our history is just a walk in the park.

Walk is moderately easy but will involve walking up slopes and steps so do come dressed comfortably. The tour lasts two and a half hours. This is held every third Saturday of the month.

You may also opt for the Heritage on the Hill tour, which will bring you around the park and discover the events that have changed and shaped the face of Fort Canning over the years.

Pre-registration required. Call 63321200 or 63321302 or email nurul_asyiqin_jaffar@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 4-6pm
Venue: Meet courtyard opposite NParks Visitor Centre, Fort Canning Centre
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (Sat): Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin

Experience Ubin's wonderful nature through your senses along our Sensory Trail. This is an excellent introduction to the rustic and natural character of the island. You will be able to touch, see or smell fruit trees, spices and herbs for cooking, plants used in traditional medicine and native plants of the mangrove forest.

This walk is held every third Saturday of the month.

Booking now online until 10 Dec.

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/

17 Dec (Sat): Fascinating Forest at Labrador

Come and experience the fascinating forest of Labrador Nature Reserve. A gazetted reserve,this indigenous ecosystem houses rich biodiversity including Singapore’s only protected coastal cliff vegetation and rocky shore. The walk will take you into the dense secondary forest housing diverse flora and fauna. You will walk through Singapore’s only coastal cliff vegetation and learn how plants in the nature reserve play an important role in the ecosystem by supporting the different life forms.

To register, please contact Miss Toh 62738602 or email at toh_yuet_hsin@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9-10am
Venue: Carpark C ikiosk, Labrador Nature Reserve
Cost: $4 per person
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

14 Dec (Wed): Free screening of "A Fall from Freedom" by ACRES

Whales and dolphins have captured the imagination of people all over the world. They have come to symbolize not only an alien form of intelligence, but a sense of ultimate freedom in their marine environment and a camaraderie among their herd mates that we envy and admire.

A Fall from Freedom is the first film to expose the long and sordid history of the captive whale and dolphin business: a history that continues to this day. The illegal capture and transport of killer whales, the thousands of dolphins that are killed in order to provide marine parks and aquariums with replacement animals, and the ability of these facilities to miseducate the public about these animals.

These, and many other issues, are covered in graphic detail in this 80-minute film.

A Fall From Freedom trailer from OdyseeTV on Vimeo.

Free entry but pre-registration required on the Save the World's Saddest Dolphins website.

Time: 7pm
Venue: Sinema Old School, 11b Mount Sophia, Old School #B1-12
Website and contact: http://www.saddestdolphins.com/A%20Fall%20Freedom/AFallFromFreedom.html

5-11 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs
Kids visit the Raffles Museum with Cicada Tree Eco Place
Strange Plants Workshop! for kids
NSS Kids’ Birding Fun at Lorong Halus
Young Naturalists Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
HeART for Nature FREE workshop for kids

The school holidays are here! Lots of biodiversity events for kids and the family, on the Celebrating Singapore's Biodiversity blog. More events especially for kids and the family during the school holidays.

Special events

10 Dec (Sat): HeART for Nature – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Anniversary Celebration 2011
10 Dec (Sat): Wild Carnivores at the Library

Walks in wild places

A walk with your neighbours the macaques of Bukit Timah
Public Bird Census Programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes
Trees of the Fort at Fort Canning Park
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.

Talks this week

10 Dec (Sat): "Forests of the Sea" by Siti M. Yaakub

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research at Kranji

Upcoming events!

Chek Jawa intertidal walks for whole 2012, Jan-Mar dates open for booking from 1 Dec on the wild shores of singapore blog.

11 Dec (Sun): NSS Kids’ Birding Fun at Lorong Halus

The scenic Lorong Halus Wetland was opened in March 2011 to help purify run-offs from this old rubbish landfill. Get to meet Bird Group Chairperson Alan Owyong as he takes us on a sight and sound tour of the thriving bird life found here. For years, Little Grebes and Common Moorhens have made their home at Halus. We might spot attractive grassland birds such as Yellow-bellied Prinias, Munias, Baya Weavers and Long-tailed Shrikes.

Please register your children (4 to 12 years old) with Gloria Seow at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if they are NSS members or not, and let us have your mobile number. A fee of $5 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot. Parents / caregivers are encouraged to join in at no charge. Details will be emailed to those who sign up.

This event is open to the public.

Time: 8-10.30am
Venue: Lorong Halus Wetland
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

11 Dec (Sun): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes

From the meeting place, a hired bus will ferry us to our destination. We begin with a pleasant stroll along a countryside road to the Kranji Marshes where we will continue our walk along the PUB bund. The marsh is designated by URA as a Nature Park and is 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, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and more.

This walk is open to the public. Click on the ‘ATTEND’ button to register by 2 Dec 2011. A registration form will then be emailed to you. Max: 20 pax. This walk is open to the public.

Time: 7.45am to 11.00am. Meet at Kranji Dam Carpark B near the Tidal Gates of Kranji Reservoir (off Kranji Way). Reachable by Bus 925 from Kranji MRT station.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

11 Dec (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

10 Dec (Sat): Young Naturalists 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 online 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

10 Dec (Sat): Public Bird Census Programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Sungei Buloh is conducting introductory bird census programme to showcase the birds of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and its bird monitoring programme. Join us to have a first-hand experience on bird watching and research work. There is a limit of 40 participants. Bring along a hat, binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing. Join us for a fun time bird watching and learning about the migratory birds at SBWR!

Register with mendis_tan@nparks.gov.sg Registration closes 8 Dec 2011 at 6pm, contact Mendis Tan at 67941403.

Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Entry charges: While the event 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

10 Dec (Sat): HeART for Nature – Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Anniversary Celebration 2011

Come celebrate the 18th Anniversary of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve! Enjoy handicraft activities and an art exhibition by our very own nature volunteers! Come watch Mr Tham Pui San, our senior volunteer, use his Apple Ipad to sketch live! The activities include Face Painting, Hanna Painting, Origami, Bottle Painting and more! Join Us!

There will be an Art Exhibition for the whole month of December too.
Time: 9.30am-12.30pm

Entry charges: While the activities are 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

10 Dec (Sat): Talk on "Forests of the Sea" by Siti M. Yaakub

Seagrass meadows are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth, but no one knows what they are! Are they algae? Are they seaweed? Can they be eaten? Is it true you can find mermaids frolicking in seagrass meadows?

Marine biologist Siti M. Yaakub will teach us about these underwater forests, what makes them tick and why everyone should hug a seagrass today!

Debby Ng shares more about Siti on the Hantu Blog:

Siti read marine biology as an undergraduate at James Cook University where she dabbled in various aspects of the marine sciences from geology to genetics. Her first encounter with seagrasses started in a marine botany class in second year and when she went back to Singapore during her semester break, she started surveying seagrasses in Singapore just for giggles. Little did she realise that brief dalliances turn into lifelong obsessions – seagrass continued to be a feature when she worked as a Senior Biodiversity Officer with NParks and now as a graduate student at the National University of Singapore. She has since accepted her fate as a seagrass-nerd-extraodinaire and strongly advocates that everyone should hug a seagrass today.

Don't miss this opportunity to find out more about our fascinating seagrasses in Siti's quirky and fun talk!

Time: 2.30pm
Venue. The National Geographic Store, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-19 VivoCity.
Website and contact: http://www.ngsingaporestore.com/exhibits/forests_sea.html

The National Geographic Store is also hosting a marine exhibition of posters of Singapore's marine life by wildsingapore from 1 Nov-31 Dec.

10 Dec (Sat); Wild Carnivores at the Library

Come join the Raffles Museum Toddycats and discover Singapore's natural heritage!

The exhibition will showcase animal specimens, skulls, skeletons and even a REAL DINOSAUR BONE. We will also have fun activities and exciting biodiversity talks lined up for the day:

11am "The Secrets of Ubin's wildlife"
12noon "Adventures of the 'Red Jungle Fowl'"
2pm "The Return of the Wild Pig!"
3pm "Stalking the Civets of Siglap"
4pm "Singapore's River Otters"
5pm "The fruit-loving Common Palm Civet"

Venue: Activity Room, Level 1, Geylang East Library
Website and contact: http://toddycats.wordpress.com/

10 Dec (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.

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

10 Dec (Sat): Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Join us for this monthly mission to rescue and study the Mangrove Horseshoe Crab (HSC). We have also started an ongoing HSC Training & Accreditation Programme for anyone keen to be a qualified HSC R&Rer. We recommend that you bring a cap, shoes/booties, sun block, repellent, cutter (for HSC rescue) and camera. Washing facilities available.

Pre-registeration required, by clicking on the 'ATTEND' button.

Time: 3.30pm, meet at the extension of Kranji Road at the junction with Kranji Loop. Take bus 925 from Kranji MRT station and alight at the Chinese temple along Kranji Loop, cross the road and look for the nameless track that starts beside Leong Soon Pte Ltd (251 Kranji Road).
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

10 Dec (Sat): Strange Plants Workshop! for kids

Some plants have really strange qualities! Plants like Pitcher Plants, Venue Fly-traps and Sundews eat up bugs, while other plants like Ant Plants and Ant Ferms provide food for bugs which protect them. Some plants have sweet leaves or shoots which may be eaten, while others are poisonous and should never be consumed. In this lesson, kids will learn about the Ant Plant and its symbiotic relationship with ants. Kids will also see examples of useful plants like the Rattan. The lesson will end with a walk in the garden where kids will get to hunt for all sorts of strange plants.

For kids aged 5-10 years. This programme is conducted with Cicada Tree Eco Place and made possible by the Garden City Fund and Sembcorp Industries.

Pre-registration is required and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Registrations close 5 days before each programme. All programmes will only commence with a minimum of 15 participants. To register please contact HortPark Visitor Services at 6471-5601 or NPARKS_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 2-4pm
Venue: Greenhouse, HortPark
Cost: $25 per child
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (Sat): HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids

This FREE art workshop helps children to delve deep into their hearts to express nature in various themed art activities like drawing, fingerprinting, origami, puppet making. The children will also learn about our natural heritage.

Suitable for children aged 5 to 10 (with parental supervision).

Limited spaces available. Please call 3 days in advance at 65545127 (Mondays to Fridays) to register for the activity.

Time: 10.30-11.30am
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park- Wallace Education Centre
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (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

10 Dec (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit Timah

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Although commonly seen, they are very misunderstood. Few seeing them realise anything about the social world these monkeys live in. They have kin networks, power struggles, friends, foes, and an otherwise complex social network. In many ways, they provide a mirror of our own sociality.

If you would like to learn more about your community and the interesting world of your neighbouring macaques at Bukit Timah, please join our walk, led by experts in these unique creatures.

Register at sg.monkey.walk@gmail.com, at least 3 days in advance. Do provide us with your name, contact number (in case of cancellation, we will contact you), number of adult and children participants (at most, 5 participants per registration). Upon receiving your registration, we will reply with a confirmation email. The walk will be cancelled if there is bad weather 45 minutes before the walk.

Time: 5-6.30pm
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (Meeting point is at the Ranger Counter)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (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.

With free Mandarin guided tour 9.30am to 11.30am. Meet at the Information Counter, Visitor Centre. Please call 67941401 to book this free guided tour. We need a minimum of 5 participants to commence the tour. Limited to maximum 15 participants.

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 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 Dec (Wed): Kids visit the Raffles Museum with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Join this guided tour of the museum, highlighting Singapore's incredibly rich biodiversity of fauna and flora, our tropical habitats, conservation issues and animals of Southeast Asia and more! With a special feature on Singapore’s bats.

Although Cicada Tree Eco-Place usually promotes the study and appreciation of living things and living ecosystems, we think that a visit to this museum of dead and preserved animals will give invaluable insights on native biodiversity, many of which are rare or already locally extinct.

Pre-registration is required. Email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participants' names, ages and a mobile no.

Time: 3-5pm
Venue: Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research Department of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Science National University of Singapore 6 Science Drive 2 Blk S6, #03-01 Singapore 117546 how to get there.
Cost: $15 per kid (max. 20 kids and max. 1 adult accompanying each kid, due to limited gallery space)
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg

28 Nov-3 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Flights of Fantasy! birdwatching for kids
Storytime with Sara at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
Sungei Buloh Anniversary Walk

Exploring back-mangroves! at Admiralty Park
Fun Walk along the Southern Ridges
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.

Talks and seminars this week

3 Dec (Sat): Talk on "Secret Shores of Singapore" by Ria Tan
4 Dec (Sun): Seminar on "Identification, Conservation and Research of Singapore Avian Species"

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Choa Chu Kang Cemeteries
Plant Walk at Admiralty Park

Upcoming events!

Chek Jawa intertidal walks for whole 2012, Jan-Mar dates open for booking from 1 Dec on the wild shores of singapore blog.

4 Dec (Sun): Plant Walk at Admiralty Park

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

We will have the opportunity to appreciate several habitat types and their representative species. These habitats include mangrove, coastal and secondary forests, as well as a remnant sliver of original fresh water swamp forest. We will end the walk at the carpark of Admiralty Road West.

Time: 3.30pm. Meet at the west entrance of Admiralty Park on Riverside Road (besides Sakura restaurant). If you are walking over from Woodlands MRT station, head in the direction of Republic Polytechnic. Stroll along Riverside Road for 80 m and you will see Sakura restaurant on your right.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

4 Dec (Sun): Birdwatching at Choa Chu Kang Cemeteries

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Cemeteries are excellent birding areas in urban cities. The cemeteries at CCK border the Western Live Firing areas and Poyan and are left relatively undisturbed. Open landscape and scattered trees and scrubs make up most of the habitat here. From our meeting point, we will drive around the fringes to the Indian, Chinese and Muslim Cemeteries, stopping at vantage points and interesting high grounds to look out for raptors and passerine migrants. We can check out the birdlife inside the Poyan restricted areas from the roadside at the Muslim Cemetery. The accidental visiting Jerdon’s Baza had been seen here. Common Buzzard was reported over at Tengah Airbase. Flocks of Oriental Pratincoles have also been seen flying overhead. Please car pool.

Time: 7.30-11am. Meet by Path 2 and 13 of the Christian Cemetery.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

4 Dec (Sun): Flights of Fantasy! for kids

Join us for this bird-watching workshop along the Forest Walk, a chirpy experience at Telok Blangah Hill Park! Comprising lush green open spaces and forested areas, this park is home to numerous species of flora and fauna. Bring along your binoculars and you may spot some of the 43 species of birds that may be found there!

This programme is conducted with Cicada Tree Eco Place and made possible by the Garden City Fund and Sembcorp Industries.

Pre-registration is required and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Registrations close 5 days before each programme. All programmes will only commence with a minimum of 15 participants. To register please contact HortPark Visitor Services at 6471-5601 or NPARKS_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 8-10am
Venue: Telok Blangah Hill Park, Multi-Purpose Plaza
Cost: $10 per child
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

4 Dec (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

4 Dec (Sun): Seminar on "Identification, Conservation and Research of Singapore Avian Species"

This seminar brings together bird enthusiasts, researchers and conservationists to encourage interest in the conservation of Singapore’s native birds. The speakers will present on the biodiversity and natural history of local bird species, basics of bird identification, field survey techniques and share updates on their conservation status.

Admission is Free! Please RSVP Jessica Rozek (jessica.rozek@wrs.com.sg) by Fri 25 Nov 2011

More details on habitatnews

Time: 1-4pm
Venue: The Lodge, Jurong Bird Park, 2 Jurong Hill Singapore 628925 (map)

4 Dec (Sun): Sungei Buloh Anniversary Walk

Sungei Buloh mangrove was declared a nature park in 1993 and a nature reserve in 2001. Since 1997, a group of veteran and young guides have been conducting a free guided annual walk for the public in celebration of this remnant of an extraordinary ecosystem.

The guides from Raffles Museum Toddycats will share stories about the animals, plants and the ecology of the mangrove. During the receding tide you will see tree-climbing crabs, mudskippers, drills, neritas, water monitors, archer fish, mullets, halfbeaks and garfish. Besides their ecological adaptations and regional economic uses, we will also point out the nearby Mandai mangroves, remember the WWII invasion of Singapore through this area and contemplate the now uncommon scene in of a river draining into the straits of Johor!

It is also time for the migratory birds that have winged down from the north. And sometimes the crowd pleasers appear - the resident family of smooth-coated otters and the crocodile.

Registration and more details at http://sbaw.rafflesmuseum.net/

Time: 8am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Website and contact: http://sbaw.rafflesmuseum.net/

3 Dec (Sat): Talk on "Secret Shores of Singapore" by Ria Tan

No need to swim, no need to dive! Ordinary people can experience much of Singapore's amazing marine life on the intertidal shores. Otters, wild dolphins, sea turtles, sea snakes, living corals and more to enjoy ...

Blogger and nature-lover Ria Tan currently monitors about 40 local seashore locations and volunteers in marine conservation. Ria will share photos and stories of her recent adventures, and she will explain how we can make a difference for our wild shores.

Time: 2.30pm
Venue. The National Geographic Store, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-19 VivoCity.
Website and contact: http://www.ngsingaporestore.com/exhibits/secret_shores.html

The National Geographic Store is also hosting a marine exhibition of posters of Singapore's marine life by wildsingapore from 1 Nov-31 Dec.

3 Dec (Sat): Fun Walk along the Southern Ridges

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Southern Ridges, a soothing sanctuary of greenery that is steeped in history and home to some of nature's greatest gifts of flora and fauna. Highlights of the tour include the Henderson Waves, the Sembcorp Forest of Giants, Forest Walk and the Singing Forest.

This programme is free of charge and made possible by the Garden City Fund and Sembcorp Industries.

Pre-registration is required and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Registrations close 5 days before each programme. All programmes will only commence with a minimum of 15 participants. To register please contact HortPark Visitor Services at 6471-5601 or NPARKS_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9-11am
Venue: Mount Faber Park, Henderson Waves
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

3 Dec (Sat): Exploring back-mangroves! at Admiralty Park

Have you heard about "Merbau", "Merawan" and "Punna"? These are actually trees found in our back-mangroves. They are tough plants that can survive in very poor aerated soil and occasional flooding. These useful plants are beneficial to humans. Come and learn more about them and their interesting properties!

To register, please contact Mr Tan at raem_tan@nparks.gov.sg or call 62738602.

Time: 9-10am
Venue: Amphitheatre, Admiralty Park
Cost: $4 per person
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

3 Dec (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

29 Nov (Tue): Storytime with Sara at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

Join us for a fun-filled storytelling session, specially designed for little ones. Children will explore Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden with Sara the Botanicosaurus and her squirrel friends, Fluff-tail and Twitchy. To conclude the programme, children will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with plants that are featured in the story, and even have the chance to rock the Suspension Bridge and play hide-and-seek in the Maze.

Suitable for children in N1 – N2 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.
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/education/workshopchi.asp
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens 6471 9961

21-27 Nov: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Kids visit the Raffles Museum with Cicada Tree Eco Place
Chek Jawa Walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place
Greet our Forest Giants! for kids with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
1, 2, TREE! for kids
Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh
Young Mathematician of the Garden
Fun with Maths & Plants!

Botanical Wonders of MacRitchie
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour
Evolution Garden guided tour

Make a difference

Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research with Nature Society (Singapore)

Talks this week

26 Nov (Sat): "Singapore's Southern Haunt" by Debby Ng

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill

New places to explore!

New-look Punggol Point: Waterfront buzz Former seafood haunt features a park, 1.2km section of promenade by Jessica Lim and Shuli Sudderuddin Straits Times 21 Nov 11;

27 Nov (Sun): 1, 2, TREE! for kids

Trees are an important part of our City in a Garden. Without the trees lining our roadsides and parks, our city would be a harsh landscape of concrete buildings. In this programme, participants, both children and parents, can learn to recognise key features of trees and be able to identify the common trees in Singapore. This will be followed by a game session where families and friends bond together by playing the ‘1, 2, Tree!’ card game and test their knowledge of plants in a fun way.

For kids (primary school and above) and families

The sharing session on trees will be conducted by Mr Joey Gan, who manages the Heritage Tree Scheme at the National Parks Board (NParks).

Time: 2-4pm
Venue: Serangoon Public Library
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

27 Nov (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

27 Nov (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).
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 Nov (Sun): Greet our Forest Giants! for kids

Greet some lovely forest trees! Find out about the animals and plants that live on and around them. Planted along the Southern Ridges, these forest trees form the Sembcorp Forest of Giants - an arboretum project undertaken by the National Parks Board as part of its efforts to enhance the biodiversity within urban areas.

For kids aged 5-10 years. This programme is conducted with Cicada Tree Eco Place and made possible by the Garden City Fund and Sembcorp Industries.

Pre-registration is required and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Registrations close 5 days before each programme. All programmes will only commence with a minimum of 15 participants. To register please contact HortPark Visitor Services at 6471-5601 or NPARKS_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: Telok Blangah Hill Park, Multi-Purpose Plaza
Cost: $10 per child
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

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