wild happenings in singapore: February 2012

20-26 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

FREE walk at Pasir Ris Mangrove boardwalk with the Naked Hermit Crabs
The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh
Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh
PrawnWatch at Sungei Buloh

Walks in wild places

Mandarin mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh
HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour
Evolution Garden guided tour

Talks this week

Workshop on "Top photography tips"

Latest news about new nature places

Coney Island set to become nature park Kezia Toh Straits Times 19 Feb 12;
A natural river in Bishan Park Channel NewsAsia 15 Feb 12;

26 Feb (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 more details see the Purple Mangroves blog.

Time: 11.30am-12.30pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, meet at the Information Counter at the Visitor CentreEntry 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/

26 Feb (Sun): Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh

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

.

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

Pui San welcomes artists of all ages or anyone who wants to learn. His objective is to encourage creativity while enjoying nature at the same time. Bring along your favourite drawing or painting supplies and enjoy learning different drawing techniques at Sungei Buloh.

More in the art in the wetlands blog.

Time: 8.30-11.30am, meet at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ticketing counter (Visitor Centre).
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

26 Feb (Sun): Workshop on "Top photography tips"

Held in conjunction with the "Portraits of Nature" exhibition are a series of interesting and enriching talks/workshops on nature appreciation and nature photography by Meng Foo.

The workshop is free but pre-registration required. Register by 3 Feb, call 6332 1200 / 6332 1302 / 6332 5795. Limited to 30 participants

Meng Foo has been photographing since he was fifteen years old. At sixteen, he won the Best Print (Student Section) for Asian Photographic Salon competition and his works were exhibited in the Singapore National Museum and the National University of Singapore. Most recently his works were featured in Asian Geographic, Silverlining, Wave and One magazine. He has been giving seminars and workshops on photography and digital photoshop technique. He has keen interest in shooting theatrical performances, cityscape and Arthropods. Some of his works have been collected in Singapore and abroad. He was trained as an architect and urban designer, travelled extensively in Southeast Asia. He also loves to write, paint, design and think. He put his thoughts of 30 years on photography in the book: 100 ways to Photography. He continues to explore the world through photography, sketching, paintings, thinking and writing.

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: The Foothills Fort Canning Park, Galeri Utama (opposite Liang Court, entrance via River Valley Road)
(Formerly the old swimming pool complex)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

26 Feb (Sun): Mandarin mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free Mandarin Guided Tour at 9.30am. Pre-register by calling 67941401, minimum 5 participants to start the tour and maximum 15. Meet at the Information Counter, Visitor Centre.

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.

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.
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

25 Feb (Sat): PrawnWatch at Sungei Buloh

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

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

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

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups.

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

Time: Meet at 9.15am at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Information Counter.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for older children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

25 Feb (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

25 Feb (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

25 Feb (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

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

Suitable for young children.

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

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am 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

25 Feb (Sat): FREE walk at Pasir Ris Mangrove boardwalk with the Naked Hermit Crabs

There are fascinating mangroves at Pasir Ris Park! A boardwalk allows us to explore it easily and it's open even at night! Join the Naked Hermit Crabs for an evening stroll through this interesting but often overlooked mangrove. Here, we are sure to see lots of crazy tree climbing crabs and delightful giant mudskippers. Pasir Ris is also one of the few places where we can easily observe nesting herons. There are also all kinds of other interesting birds in these mangroves. And as the sun sets, we might spot some nocturnal animals like watersnakes. They are well camouflaged as they lie in wait to catch small fishes.

The boardwalk takes us through tall mangrove trees
and allows to see all kinds of curious creatures.

More details on the Naked Hermit Crabs blog.
Register through this online form. A confirmation note will be sent.

Time: 5pm. We should end at around 6.30pm, just before sunset.
Meeting point: Pasir Ris Park, Carpark C, meet near the first toilets nearest the entrance to the carpark. The meeting point is a short stroll from the Pasir Ris MRT station. See map
Website and contact: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/

13-19 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Chek Jawa Walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place

Walks in wild places

A walk in an ancient forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin
Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes
Insect trail walk: Insect hunt at Fort Canning
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh
National Orchid Garden guided tour

Volunteer opportunity

Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Springleaf
Butterfly Watching at Rifle Range

Civet cats on the roof tops!

19 Feb (Sun): Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research

Open to the public

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: 2pm, 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 Feb (Sun): Chek Jawa Walk with Cicada Tree Eco Place

We go on the extensive boardwalk at Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin. Here we shall see a diversity of unique flora and fauna. At low tide, exposed seaweeds used to be collected by locals to feed their pigs. From the mangroves, Attap Palm leaves were harvested for thatching while durable Nibong Palm trunks were used to build kelongs. The shallow sea here was also a rich hunting ground. Many natural resources were depended upon, and used in sustainable ways by the kampong folk who lived at Chek Jawa.

Note: This activity will be on the boardwalk, walking on mudflats is not allowed.

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

Time: 3-6pm
Cost: $15 per person (adult or child), excluding bumboat ride 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. Minimum 20 pax for walk to go ahead.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg

19 Feb (Sun): Birdwatching at Springleaf

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Kim Keang will lead us to this almost forgotten part of Singapore which still retains some of its old rural charm. The numerous tall trees and thick woods are home to parakeets, woodpeckers, bee-eaters, trillers ad many other rural and countryside birds.

Time: 7.30-11am. Meet at the junction of Sembawang Road and Nee Soon Road.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

19 Feb (Sun): Insect trail walk: Insect hunt in Fort Canning

Held in conjunction with the "Portraits of Nature" exhibition are a series of interesting and enriching talks/workshops on nature appreciation and nature photography by Meng Foo.

The walk is free but pre-registration required. Register by 17 Feb, call 6332 1200 / 6332 1302 / 6332 5795. Limited to 30 participants

Meng Foo has been photographing since he was fifteen years old. At sixteen, he won the Best Print (Student Section) for Asian Photographic Salon competition and his works were exhibited in the Singapore National Museum and the National University of Singapore. Most recently his works were featured in Asian Geographic, Silverlining, Wave and One magazine. He has been giving seminars and workshops on photography and digital photoshop technique. He has keen interest in shooting theatrical performances, cityscape and Arthropods. Some of his works have been collected in Singapore and abroad. He was trained as an architect and urban designer, travelled extensively in Southeast Asia. He also loves to write, paint, design and think. He put his thoughts of 30 years on photography in the book: 100 ways to Photography. He continues to explore the world through photography, sketching, paintings, thinking and writing.

Time: 10am-12noon
Venue: The Foothills Fort Canning Park, Galeri Utama (opposite Liang Court, entrance via River Valley Road)
(Formerly the old swimming pool complex)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

18 Feb (Sat): 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 6 Feb. 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.

18 Feb (Sat): Butterfly Watching at Rifle Range

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

The secondary forest stretch from Rifle Range to Jelutong Tower promises tantalising sightings of many forest butterflies. The height of butterfly action can be experienced when the area's trees bloom, which will take place right around our walk. Seldom-seen species like the Striped Black Crow, Common Tree Nymph, Banded Yeoman, Royal Assyrian and many more rarer denizens may be encountered in a feeding frenzy. Join KC and Amy Tsang in their quest for the ultimate treasure - the elusive Yellow Banded Awl skipper.

Time: 9.30am-12noon. meet at the end of Rifle Range Road.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

18 Feb (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.

Booking now online until 11 Feb.

For more details about this walk, see the NParks website More about the Sensory Trail on the wildsingapore website and Ubin Volunteers blog

Time: Walks starts 9.30am and lasts for about 1.5 hours. Meet at the Pulau Ubin Main Information Kiosk next to the Ubin Jetty. 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/

18 Feb (Sat): A walk in an ancient forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

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

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

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

More about the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on the wildsingapore website and NParks website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Central Nature Reserve and is held every third Saturday of the month.

Sign up on this online form.

Time: 9.25am-10.30am. Meet at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, at the ranger counter.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

18 Feb (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

18 Feb (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

6-12 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids
A nature-guided stroll from Dairy Farm to Singapore Quarry with Cicada Tree Eco Place
NSS Kids' Fun at the Butterfly Trail @ Orchard
Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs
The Birthday Party

Walks in wild places

A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit Timah
The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk
Tree trail walk: Appreciating and photographing trees
Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail
Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill

12 Feb (Sun): Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

February is a good time to visit Semakau for its varied birdlife. In addition, to the resident attractions like the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret and Malaysian Plover, it is possible to see rare migrants such as the Chinese Egret and Ashy Drongo.

More details on the NSS website.

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.

12 Feb (Sun): NSS Kids' Fun at the Butterfly Trail @ Orchard

Butterfly host and nectar plants have been planted along and adjacent to Orchard Road to form a 4 km stretch known as the Butterfly Trail @ Orchard. Here, you can enjoy the sight of up to 50 butterfly species. The shortened walk starts at the butterfly garden in Stamford Green (next to the National Museum), passing through the Singapore Management University, Dhoby Ghaut Green, Istana Park, Penang Road Open Space and ending at the rooftop garden in Orchard Central.

We have the privilege of Butterfly Interest Group Chairperson Gan Cheong Weei personally guiding us. Please register your children (4 to 12 years old) with Gloria at gloria_seow@yahoo.com, stating their names and ages, if they are NSS members or not, if you need us to loan you a pair of binoculars 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.

Time: 9:30am-12:00pm.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Feb (Sun): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

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

Suitable for young children.

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

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

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

12 Feb (Sun): Tree trail walk: Appreciating and photographing trees

Held in conjunction with the "Portraits of Nature" exhibition are a series of interesting and enriching talks/workshops on nature appreciation and nature photography by Meng Foo.

The walk is free but pre-registration required. Register by 10 Feb, call 6332 1200 / 6332 1302 / 6332 5795. Limited to 30 participants

Meng Foo has been photographing since he was fifteen years old. At sixteen, he won the Best Print (Student Section) for Asian Photographic Salon competition and his works were exhibited in the Singapore National Museum and the National University of Singapore. Most recently his works were featured in Asian Geographic, Silverlining, Wave and One magazine. He has been giving seminars and workshops on photography and digital photoshop technique. He has keen interest in shooting theatrical performances, cityscape and Arthropods. Some of his works have been collected in Singapore and abroad. He was trained as an architect and urban designer, travelled extensively in Southeast Asia. He also loves to write, paint, design and think. He put his thoughts of 30 years on photography in the book: 100 ways to Photography. He continues to explore the world through photography, sketching, paintings, thinking and writing.

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: The Foothills Fort Canning Park, Galeri Utama (opposite Liang Court, entrance via River Valley Road)
(Formerly the old swimming pool complex)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

12 Feb (Sun): The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk

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

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

The walk is free but pre-registration is required: register online.

More details on the habitatnews blog.

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

11 Feb (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/

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

The Naked Hermit Crabs introduce you to Chek Jawa without getting your feet wet. Even though we are not going on to the shore, there is still much to see and enjoy. There are monitor lizards, fiddler crabs, spiders, rare plants, wild boars, mudskippers and lots of fruit trees. If we are lucky, we might even spot the Oriental Pied Hornbill, White-bellied Sea Eagle and the giant Atlas Moth.

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

More details on the 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

11 Feb (Sat): The Birthday Party

A story-guided tour for kids!

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

Suitable for K1 - P2 levels.

Pre-registration required. Registration closes two days before the event.

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Cost: $8.50 per child (includes $2.50 "The Birthday Party, Sara at the Children's Garden" workbook)
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/education/workshopchi.asp
Contact: Singapore Botanic Gardens 6471 9961

11 Feb (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 8 years (with parental supervision).

Limited spaces available. Register online or email vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9.30am - 10.30am. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park- Wallace Education Centre
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

11 Feb (Sat): Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail

A free guided nature walk through a rainforest right in the heart of the city! Along paved trails, under the shade of giant trees, learn about our rainforests, spot forest creatures and strange plants.

Suitable for young children.

More about the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail on the wildsingapore website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NPark's Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every second Saturday of the month.

A special Mandarin version of this tour is at 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (Enligsh) and 4pm (Mandarin); Register 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One hour.
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

11 Feb (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

11 Feb (Sat): A nature-guided stroll from Dairy Farm to Singapore Quarry

This walk starts at the entrance of Dairy Farm Road. We go onto the path, passing by secondary forests and old fruit orchards, ending at the Singapore Quarry to view the freshwater wetland ecosystem here which is ringed by the rainforested cliffs of Bukit Timah Hill.

Kid participants will get to do a wildlife survey and study of the biodiversity found here.

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

Time: 9-11am, meet at Car Park A (also stated as CP1 in Street Directory) at entrance of Dairy Farm Road, behind the Salvation Army building at junction with Upper Bukit Timah Road.
Cost: $13 per person (adult or child). Minimum 20 pax for walk to go ahead.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg

30 Jan-5 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

HeART for Nature FREE workshop for kids

Special event
4 Feb (Sat): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Celebrates World Wetlands Day 2012 with talks, food tasting using products from the mangroves and displays of fishes and mangrove creatures.

Volunteer opportunity

Horseshoe crab Rescue and Research with the Nature Society (Singapore)

Walks in wild places

Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh on Saturday and Sunday.
Up Close and Personal @ Peirce
Edible and Medicinal Plants tour at the Botanic Gardens

Talks this week

4 Feb (Sat): At Sungei Buloh's celebration of World Wetlands Day
9.30am : "The Mangrove Forest" by Ria Tan
10.45am: "Migratory Birds & Wetlands" by Wang Luan Keng, RMBR
4 Feb (Sat): "Presents from Plants"
5 Feb (Sun): "Appreciation of Microworld"

Announcements: Kids! Send in your artwork of trees and nature and win an Apple iPad 2 in the NParks Trees for Life Art Competition 2012! more details

5 Feb (Sun): Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research

5 Feb (Sun): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

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

Suitable for young children.

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

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

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

5 Feb (Sun): Talk on "Appreciation of Microworld"

Held in conjunction with the "Portraits of Nature" exhibition are a series of interesting and enriching talks/workshops on nature appreciation and nature photography by Meng Foo.

The talk is free but pre-registration required. Register by 3 Feb, call 6332 1200 / 6332 1302 / 6332 5795. Limited to 30 participants

Meng Foo has been photographing since he was fifteen years old. At sixteen, he won the Best Print (Student Section) for Asian Photographic Salon competition and his works were exhibited in the Singapore National Museum and the National University of Singapore. Most recently his works were featured in Asian Geographic, Silverlining, Wave and One magazine. He has been giving seminars and workshops on photography and digital photoshop technique. He has keen interest in shooting theatrical performances, cityscape and Arthropods. Some of his works have been collected in Singapore and abroad. He was trained as an architect and urban designer, travelled extensively in Southeast Asia. He also loves to write, paint, design and think. He put his thoughts of 30 years on photography in the book: 100 ways to Photography. He continues to explore the world through photography, sketching, paintings, thinking and writing.

Time: 10-11am
Venue: The Foothills Fort Canning Park, Galeri Utama (opposite Liang Court, entrance via River Valley Road)
(Formerly the old swimming pool complex)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

4 Feb (Sat): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Celebrates World Wetlands Day 2012

The World Wetlands Day theme for 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism. Wetland tourism has benefits for people and wildlife in areas such as stronger economies, healthy people, quality of life and thriving ecosystems.

It is worth noting that tourism is only one of the services that wetlands deliver. Ensuring well-managed tourism practices in and around wetlands and educating visitors on the value of wetlands contributes to the health of the world's wetlands and the long-term benefits that wetlands provide to people, wildlife, economics, and biodiversity.

Join us at SBWR for a day of discovery about the rich fauna and flora of Singapore’s only protect wetland reserve.

Talks!

9.30am : Talk on "The Mangrove Forest" by Ria Tan
10.45am: Talk on "Migratory Birds & Wetlands" by Wang Luan Keng, RMBR

There will also be food tasting using products from the Mangrove Forest and fish species displays in the morning, and all day, a display of mangrove forest inhabitants.

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

4 Feb (Sat): Talk on "Presents from Plants"

Plants are important to people. They give us many things like shade, materials, food and scents. With these presents from plants, our lives become more pleasant. For example, wood from trees can be made into beautiful furniture for our homes. Join us for this programme where you can discover how plants are useful to us. You can also make participate in a hands-on activity by using plants to create your own masterpiece!

Jiahui is a manager from the National Parks Board. She enjoys gardening and is passionate about spreading her love for green and nature to the public, to let them appreciate the wonderful world of plants.

For kids 5-12.

This talk is free of charge and registration is not required.

Time: 2-3pm
Venue: Bishan Public Library
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

4 Feb (Sat): HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids

Suitable for children aged 5 to 8 years (with parental supervision).

Limited spaces available. Register online or email vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 9.30am - 10.30am. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.
Venue: Lower Peirce Reservoir Park (big shelter next to fishing ground)
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

4 Feb (Sat): Up Close and Personal @ Peirce

Free guided nature walk along the boardwalks through cool, shady forests and by the Lower Peirce Reservoir. Learn about our forests, spot forest and aquatic wildlife, enjoy panaromic views of waters surrounded by luxuriant forest.

Suitable for young children.

More about the Lower Peirce Trail on the wildsingapore website and NParks website.

This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks Central Nature Reserve and is held every first Saturday of the month.

Sign up on this online form. Walks will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

Time: 9.25am. Meet at Casuarina Entrance of the trail along Old Upper Thomson Road, which is a 2-minute walk from Casuarina Road. Location map
Tour duration: One-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

4 Feb (Sat): Edible and Medicinal Plants tour at the Botanic Gardens

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

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

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)

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