21-27 Mar: Highlights of the week ahead

Special events

• Earth Hour

Walks in wild places

• Inter-tidal walk at Pulau Semakau with Nature Society (Singapore)
• Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday with marine fish guided tour and Sunday.
• HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour.
• Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour.
• Evolution Garden tour.

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Birdwatching at Semakau
• Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes

Registration now open

• 16 Apr (Sat): Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research
• 10 Apr (Sun): NSS Kids’ Fun with Marine Life at Chek Jawa
• 9 Apr (Sat): Monkey Walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
• 3 Apr (Sun): Grow Things! A Gardening Workshop for Kids with Cicada Tree Eco Place

27 Mar (Sun): Birdwatching at Semakau

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

This is a good time to visit Semakau for resident birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions include the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret, Malaysian Plover and Osprey. Sightings of uncommon migrants such as the Black-capped Kingfisher, Peregrine Falcon and Eastern Marsh Harrier are possible.

Non-refundable $28 fee for boat and administration. Send your cheque to the NSS office by 18 March with the All Purpose Form. Number of persons for this trip: 11, 22 or 33. Email Hang Chong hangchong@gmail.com to register. Resident/PR identity card or passport is mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members only on a first come first served basis. Under NEA regulations, children below 12 years old are not allowed to come. Please note that your reservation is not automatically confirmed until you hear from your trip leader after the closing date.

Time: 7.30am-2pm. Meet at West Coast Pier near the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

27 Mar (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 Mar (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 Mar (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

26 Mar (Sat): Earth Hour

Many ways to celebrate including the Earth Hour Party at the Promontory @ Marina Bay, the Earth Hour Night Walk, a Live Concert and Carnival with educational games, craft activities, and discover how to do good while shopping. There's also a screening of "The Age of Stupid".
More details and registration on the Earth Hour website.

26 Mar (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

Join this free tour by staff of the Singapore Botanic Gardens to learn more about the Gardens’ research work.

Come and explore the hub of the Gardens' research facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens to learn about botanical research. Find out about the urgency of plant exploration, collection and scientific documentation as species and habitats continue to be lost in the region. Visit the Orchid Micro-propagation and hybridisation display and find out how new hybrids are produced. You can also enter the restricted domain of the Herbarium and Library to learn about the valuable historical treasures they hold for science and posterity.

Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Green Pavilion, Botany Centre (max 20 persons).

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Green Pavilion, Botany Centre
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Services at 6471 7361
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/

26 Mar (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

26 Mar (Sat): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Dr. Ho Hua Chew leads this walk. 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.

Pre-registration required, maximum 20 persons. Email kranji@nss.org.sg by by 18 March 2011.

Time: 7.45am meet at Kranji Dam Carpark 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.

26 Mar (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.

With Marine Fish guided 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 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 Mar (Sat): Inter-tidal walk at Pulau Semakau with Nature Society (Singapore)

Open to members and non-members

Nature Society (Singapore) will be organizing an inter-tidal walk to Pulau Semakau! Come explore interesting coastal marine life with us on our offshore landfill island. A tour of landfill operations is also included. This tour is open to both members and non-members.

More about Pulau Semakau on wildsingapore.

Time: 8.15am – 2pm
Cost: $55/person (non-refundable) for boat and administration. Send your cheque to the Nature Society office by 22 March with the completed All Purpose Form. Resident/PR identity card or passport is mandatory for boarding. Booking priority for members on a first come first served basis. Under NEA regulations, children below 12 years old are not allowed to come.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: Goh Ter Yang at teryang@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

14-20 Mar: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Green Circle Eco-Farm tour with Cicada Tree Eco Place.
• Bollywood Veggies tour with Cicada Tree Eco Place
  
• Sara Goes To Supermarket Garden a guided tour for kids
• Science in my Kitchen for kids at Pasir Ris Park
• Let’s Discover Plants & Animals a guided tour for kids
• The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh.
• "Stories about the Forest" a drama workshop for kids

Specially for the March school holidays, here's some biodiversity happenings for kids. With MORE school holiday events.


Other wild stuff to do

• Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research
• Public Bird Census Programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Walks in wild places

• Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday with mandarin guided tour.
• Guided walk at the Fort Canning Spice Trail.
• National Orchid Garden guided tour.

Talks this week

• 18 Mar (Fri): “Bird Conservation in Singapore”

Check out the New Wireless Trail at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: the free wireless trail using ColorCode allows visitors using mobile devices with cameras and internet connection (such as smartphones) to learn more about the flora and fauna at SBWR. More about the wireless trail.

Registration now open

• 10 Apr (Sun): NSS Kids’ Fun with Marine Life at Chek Jawa
• 26 Mar (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour
• 26 Mar (Sat): Inter-tidal walk at Pulau Semakau with Nature Society (Singapore)

20 Mar (Sun): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

With Mandarin guided tour 9.30-11.15am. Limited to 15 persons. Please register on this link: http://tinyurl.com/register-for-mandarin-guide

For regular walks, registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come -first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Sunday morning, subject to availability of guides.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

20 Mar (Sun): Bollywood Veggies tour with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Come for a guided fun trip at Bollywood Veggies. Some of their guests are bees, butterflies, bugs, slugs & other crawlies. See local fruits up in trees, not packed in styrofoam. Look at earthworms, aerating the soil as they roam.

Please note that Bollywood Veggies does not allow outside food so if the kids need to eat they can buy food from the bistro - they have kids meals like burgers, fish & chips etc.

To register, email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participant's name, age & your mobile no.

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: Bollywood Veggies 100 Neo Tiew Road
Cost: $20 per child (5-12 yrs), with maximum of 2 adults accompanying each kid. Non-paying participants will have to pay entrance fee of $2 each.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg

20 Mar (Sun): The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh

Origami is not only fun, but is also an artistic way of interpreting animals, plants, objects, or basically anything you can think of! The focus of this origami workshop will be on animals that can be found in our nature areas.

For this session, learn how to fold paper fishes!

For more details see the Purple Mangroves blog.

Time: 1.30-3pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, meet at the Information Counter at the Visitor Centre
Entry charges: While the event is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website and contact: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/

19 Mar (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 Mar (Sat): Public Bird Census Programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is conducting introductory bird census programme to showcase the birds of the Reserve and its bird monitoring programme. Join for a first-hand experience on bird watching and research work. There is a limit of 40 persons so register for the activity now!

Register with mendis_tan@nparks.gov.sg and indicate the preferred date as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Time: 9am-12pm
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

19 Mar (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 Mar.

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/

19 Mar (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. Register with Goh Ter Yang teryang@nss.org.sg stating your name, if you are a NSS member or not, affiliations (eg. school/company), experience (if any) and contact details.

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.

19 Mar (Sat): National Orchid Garden guided tour

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 Mar (Sat): Guided walk at the Fort Canning Spice Trail

"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 walk 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/

19 Mar (Sat): "Stories about the Forest" - a drama workshop for kids

I am special

Centred on forests and its creatures, each workshop will feature a story associated with this special habitat. Using simple props, costume pieces and musical instruments, children get to participate by taking on various roles in the story. Through play and dramatisation, children will learn to emulate and incorporate the good, moral 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/

19 Mar (Sat): Science in my Kitchen for kids at Pasir Ris Park

There’s more than what meets the eye. Explore and learn all about plants: Classification, life cycle, plant systems the functions of leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. Come to our outdoor science classroom. You will leave in awe of mother nature and cultivate the love of plants.

Suitable for children from K1-P6 levels.

To register, please email your name, contact number and total no. of participants to Yvonne yvonne_chee@nparks.gov.sg.

Registration closes 3 days before the event. The walk will only take place with a minimum of 15 persons.

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

18 Mar (Fri): Talk on “Bird Conservation in Singapore”

Birds are among the most conspicuous elements of Singapore’s biodiversity. They have been the emphasis of many recent conservation actions. This talk by Yong Ding Li will review and summarise local conservation developments from an avian perspective. Issues to be covered include the Red Data book and the conservation status of locally endangered birds, the Wild Animals and Birds Act (WABA), poaching, the importance of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, the Eco-link, hornbill projects and more. Priorities and challenges in local bird conservation will also be discussed.

For details, email Ding Li at zoothera@yahoo.com.

The talk is open to both members and non-members

Time: 8-9.30pm
Venue: The Sunflower (NSS office). 510 Geylang Road #02-05,Singapore 389466
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

17 Mar (Thu): 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!!

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

17 Mar (Thu): Green Circle Eco-Farm tour with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Come for a guided fun trip at Green Circle organic farm! Where bees & butterflies, bugs & slugs are welcome. See local fruits up in trees, not in boxes in shops. Look at earthworms and how they help the crops.

Register with Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: Green Circle Eco-Farm 41 Neo Tiew Road
Cost: $20 per child(5-12 yrs), with maximum of 2 adults accompanying each kid.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg

15 Mar (Tue): Sara Goes To Supermarket Garden - a guided tour for kids

Sara, the Botanicosaurus is back! This time Sara, with her siblings and friends, visit the Supermarket Garden in the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. Join Sara to learn fascinating facts and hear interesting stories about the banana, peanut, soya bean, sugarcane, sweet potato and many more yummy fruits and vegetables in this special garden. Alongside learning about plants which you can eat, pick up tips on being a nutritional winner by eating delicious greens to stay strong and healthy.

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
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Fee: $9 per child (includes $3 “Sara goes to the Supermarket Garden” workbook) and $6 per accompanying adult
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg
Contact: 64719961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg

7-13 Mar: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs
• Monkey Walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
• Young Naturalists Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
• Our Kitchen Garden Tour at Pasir Ris Park
• Young Mathematician of the Garden
• Fun with Maths & Plants!

Specially for the March school holidays, here's some biodiversity happenings for kids. With MORE school holiday events.

Walks in wild places

• Free Guided Nature Walk at Pasir Ris Park with Grant Pereira and the Green Volunteers.
• Trees of the Fort at Fort Canning Park.
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on Saturday with a Marine Fish guided walk and Sunday.
• Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail.

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Last Kampong Ramble

Registration now open

• 10 Apr (Sun): NSS Kids’ Fun with Marine Life at Chek Jawa
• 26 Mar (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour
• 26 Mar (Sat): Inter-tidal walk at Pulau Semakau with Nature Society (Singapore)
• 19 Mar (Sat): Public Bird Census Programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

13 Mar (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 Mar (Sun): Last Kampong Ramble

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Led by Ali Jafaar, this morning ramble begins with a tour of the last surviving traditional village (kampong) on mainland Singapore - Kampong Lorong Buangkok. Expect to observe nature and tradition at close hand. This kampong will evoke nostalgia as well as give the younger generation a taste of how life was for many in Singapore in the 50s and 60s. From here, we will travel along Punggol River and explore wooded areas in the vicinity.

Please register with Benjamin Ho at benhojw@gmail.com.

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

12 Mar (Sat): Monkey Walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

In collaboration with NParks, Crystal will be leading Monkey Walks at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. After a short introduction to the Long-tailed macaques, head out to wherever the Hindhede monkeys happen to be, which is typically near the Visitor Centre or carpark at that time of day. As we all observe the macaques, Crystal will share more about their behavior, how to identify specific individuals, how the hierarchy of this group is organized, and more.

Crystal has been working with the Bukit Timah monkeys for the past year and a half and looks forward to the opportunity to share what she has learnt about these fascinating creatures.

The event is free but pre-registration is required with Crystal at sgmonkeywalk@gmail.com at least three days before the day of the walk. Walks will be limited to the first ten people to sign up.

The walk is held every second Saturday, Jan-May 11.

For more details, see Crystal's blog.

Time: 5-6pm
Venue: Meet at the Bukit Timah Visitor Centre. If it rains up to 45 minutes before the walk, the walk will be canceled.

12 Mar (Sat): Free Guided Nature Walk at Pasir Ris Park

Grant Pereira and the Green Volunteers take you on this stroll through mangroves, native trees, and vegetable and spice gardens. If you have binoculars please bring them as there are some interesting birds to see.

Limited to 20 persons. Registration required. Email grant@rameshtravel.com with your name, mobile number and total number of people attending. First come first serve basis!

Time: 9.30am sharp, meet at station control Pasir Ris MRT Station
Website and contact: http://thegreenvolunteers.blogspot.com/

12 Mar (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 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 Mar (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

12 Mar (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 Mar (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.

With Marine Fish Tour at 3.30pm.

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

12 Mar (Sat): Our Kitchen Garden Tour at Pasir Ris Park

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

Suitable for children from K1-P6 levels.

To register, please email your name, contact number and total no. of participants to Yvonne yvonne_chee@nparks.gov.sg.

Registration closes 3 days before the event. The walk will only take place with a minimum of 15 persons.

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

12 Mar (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

12 Mar (Sat): Young Mathematician of the Garden

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

Suitable for children in P3 – P6 levels.

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

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

12 Mar (Sat): 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/

28 Feb - 6 Mar: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Seashore Study for kids – St. John's Island with Cicada Tree Eco Place
• Seashore Study for kids – Chek Jawa Wetlands (boardwalk) with Cicada Tree Eco Place

The March school holidays are coming! Here's some biodiversity happenings for kids during the holidays. With MORE school holiday events.

Walks in wild places

• Free Butterfly Walk at Pasir Ris Park with Grant Pereira.
• "A Forest No Less" in Bukit Batok Nature Park.
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
• Edible and Medicinal Plants tour at the Botanic Gardens

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Kayaking Sungei Khatib Bongsu
• Medicinal Plants and Trees at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Registration now open

• 26 Mar (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour
• 19 Mar (Sat): Public Bird Census Programme at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• 12 Mar (Sat): Young Naturalists Passport Camp at Sungei Buloh
• 12 Mar (Sat): Free Guided Nature Walk at Pasir Ris Park with The Green Volunteers
• 12 Mar (Sat): Monkey Walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

6 Mar (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

6 Mar (Sun): Medicinal Plants and Trees at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

There are many medicinal plants and trees at the Botanic Gardens. Where exactly are they? Join Janice Oh as she leads us to discover some of these plants and trees prized for their medicinal and healing properties.

Time: 9am meet at the Visitor Centre (Nassim Gate). The tour will take about 2 hours and will end near the Green Pavilion.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

6 Mar (Sun): Seashore Study for kids – St. John's Island

What was St. John's Island used for in the past? What types of habitats are found at St. John's Island? What kinds of plants and animals live in these habitats? What kinds of dolphins are found around St. John's Island? What can I do to help protect and conserve St. John's Island for future generations?

This outdoor learning lesson is one of a series of seashore study lessons offered by Cicada Tree Eco-Place this quarter.

Suitable for kids 8 years and above.

Pre-registration required, with Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participant's name, age & your mobile no.

Minimum 20 pax for walk to go ahead.

Time: 3-7pm
Venue: Chek Jawa Boardwalk, Pulau Ubin
Cost: $25 per kid (with maximum of 2 adults accompanying each kid at no charge). (Cost excludes the ferry ride to St. John's Island. The return ferry ride is $12 for kids 12 years and below and $15 for adults. All participants are required to purchase their own ferry tickets.)Duration of the ferry ride is about 45 mins. The last ferry will leave St. John's Island at 5.50pm.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

5 Mar (Sat): Free Butterfly Walk at Pasir Ris Park

Grant Pereira and The Green Volunteers are organising this butterfly walk at Pasir Ris Park, to learn more about these “flying flowers”. S.K. Khew a butterfly expert has kindly consented to lead this walk. Khew is author of "A Field Guide to Butterflies of Singapore". Participants of the walk will also have the opportunity to buy the guidebook at $35 (usual price $40).

Limited to 12 persons. Registration required. Email grant@rameshtravel.com (subject: Butterfly walk) with your name, mobile number and total number of people attending.

Website and contact: http://thegreenvolunteers.blogspot.com/

5 Mar (Sat): "A Forest No Less" in Bukit Batok Nature Park

Learn about the importance of the forest in your daily life! This one hour tour at Bukit Batok Nature Park highlights the interesting plants and wildlife found in an established secondary forest habitat.

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

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

5 Mar (Sat): Edible and Medicinal Plants tour at the Botanic Gardens

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

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

More information on the Singapore Botanic Gardens website.

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

5 Mar (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

5 Mar (Sat): Kayaking Sungei Khatib Bongsu

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Explore Sungei Khatib Bongsu by kayak, in a 7.5 km relaxing mangrove paddle amongst one of the last accessible riverine mangroves on mainland Singapore.

Expect to see a variety of interesting plant and animal life.

Suitable for beginners and for those who have never kayaked before. Up to 3 children can be accommodated on this trip, and must be accompanied by one parent per child. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a change of clothes (will get wet!). Toilets with showers are available.

For details and registration, please contact Moira Khaw at burningblue2@gmail.com.

In the event of a good response, it may be possible to re-run this trip at a suitable date later this year.

Time: 7-11.30am at Sembawang Park beneath a spreading fig tree by the sea, along a road named Kampong Wak Hassan.
Cost: $50 per person.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

3 Mar (Thu): Seashore Study for kids – Chek Jawa Wetlands (boardwalk)

Discover more about our precious, wild seashores! What does Tanjung Chek Jawa mean in Malay? How does the geography of Chek Jawa make it suitable for plants and animals to live there? What types of ecosystems are found together at Chek Jawa? What kinds of plants and animals live in these different ecosystems? What can I do to help protect and conserve Chek Jawa for future generations?

This outdoor learning lesson is one of a series of seashore study lessons offered by Cicada Tree Eco-Place this quarter.

Suitable for kids 10 years and above.

Pre-registration required, with Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participant's name, age & your mobile no.

Minimum 20 pax for walk to go ahead.

Time: 3-6pm
Venue: Chek Jawa Boardwalk, Pulau Ubin
Cost: $15 per kid (with maximum of 2 adults accompanying each kid at no charge). (Cost excludes the bumboat ride to Pulau Ubin and mini-bus ride to Chek Jawa. The bumboat ride is $2.50 per person one way. The mini-bus ride is $4 return per person to and from the main village. Transport costs are to be settled with the transport operators yourselves.)
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/