23-29 Apr: 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 Wetland Reserve
• Sara goes Carbon Footprinting

Special Event

• Semakau Mini Documentary contest

Walks in wild places

• Mandarin guided tour at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Race Against Time Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour
• Evolution Garden guided walk

Make a difference!

• Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research

Talks this week

• 25 Apr (Wed): Talk by Prof Leo Tan at U@live
• 28 Apr (Sat): "The Dragonfly Story"

Go wild on your own!
This long weekend, why not explore our wild places free-and-easy? Great destinations include Pulau Ubin and a wide range of seashores, mangroves and forest destinations. Lots of info for visitors on wildsingapore with tips on how to prepare for a trip, how to get there and what to see and do. Check out NParks' many DYI trails guides.

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

29 Apr (Sun): Mandarin guided tour 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.

Pre-register by calling 67941401, minimum 5 participants to start the tour and maximum 15.  The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve.

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

Time: 9.30 am, meet at the Information Counter, 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

29 Apr (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/

28 Apr (Sat): Semakau Mini Documentary contest

Here's your chance to film Pulau Semakau's biodiversity and win attractive prizes.

Nature Society (Singapore) is hosting an all-day event at Pulau Semakau on 28 Apr (Sat) for "Through Green Lenses: A Semakau Mini-documentary/Film Making Contest 2012"

The contest gives you the chance to capture and showcase the unique co-existence of waste management and rich biodiversity on Pulau Semakau.

Theme: Unique Co-existence of Waste Management and Rich Biodiversity
Duration of mini-documentary/film: 3 minutes or less

1st prize: Legria HF R 26 and cash worth $1500
2nd prize: Legria FS 46 and cash worth $1000
3rd prize: Legria FS 406 worth $500

Winners will also get to meet Zeb Hogan, National Geographic Explorer, host of highly rated documentary 'Monster Fish' and judge for Through Green Lenses.

Important dates:
22 Apr (Sun): Video editing workshop cum briefing session
28 Apr (Sat): Filming on Semakau

More details on the Nature Society (Singapore) website

28 Apr (Sat): Free walk at Pasir Ris Mangrove boardwalk with the Naked Hermit Crabs

There are fascinating mangroves at Pasir Ris Park! Easily explored through the boardwalks  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, delightful giant mudskippers and cool monitor lizards. Pasir Ris is also one of the few places where nesting herons are easily observed. And as the sun sets, we might spot some nocturnal animals like watersnakes. If we're lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the rare Mangrove pitta or the family of otters that have been seen here! 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.
Website and contact: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/

28 Apr (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

28 Apr (Sat): Talk on "The Dragonfly Story"

Dragonflies have lived for more than 300 million years. They have evolved not only in size but also with human culture. Know more of this beautiful insect, how they adapt, the myths surrounding them, their life cycle and their importance in determining the quality of the natural environment.

More about the speaker: Mohd Roslee is an officer from the Parks Division in National Parks Board. He works in Labrador Nature Reserve, which is home to a wide range of flora and fauna.

This is Part 3 of the Biodiversity Series talks.

This talk is free and registration is not required.
Time: 3-4 pm
Venue: Choa Chu Kang Public Library
Website: http://nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Ms Zheng Jiahui at zheng_jiahui@nparks.gov.sg

28 Apr (Sat): Sara goes Carbon Footprinting

An Earth Day special, join Sara, the Botanicosaurus, and her new friend, Rana the Frog in this tour and learn about carbon footprints and the many little but important things that all of us can do to make a difference for our home, Planet Earth! Young participants will also be introduced to some useful and multi-purpose trees!

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: $8.50 per child (includes $2.50 “Sara Goes Carbon Footprinting" workbook) and $6 per accompanying adult
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg
Contact: 64719961 or nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg

28 Apr (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

28 Apr (Sat): 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 on the NSS website.

Time: 8am, 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.

28 Apr (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

Join this free one-hour tour by our staff 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. Limited to 20 participants.

Time: 10-11am
Meeting point: Green Pavilion, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: NParks_SBG_Visitor_Services@nparks.gov.sg.

28 Apr (Sat): Evolution Garden guided walk

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

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

Suitable for kids.

This walk is held every fourth Saturday of the month. Please register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre.

Time: 9am
Venue: Register at Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens before the tour starts.
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361

25 Apr (Wed): Talk by Prof Leo Tan at U@live

A relentless champion for the environment and science, Prof Leo Tan will give a talk at U@live in April.

Professor Leo Tan - You Live Your Belief from uAlive on Vimeo.

Professor Leo Tan graduated in PhD in Science from NUS in 1974. Throughout a distinguished career in research, education and public service, Professor Tan has been a vocal advocate for the environmental cause. Indeed, many of his public policy initiatives have helped to define Singapore’s reputation as a Garden City. Professor Tan’s latest ventures include Project Semakau, a three-year research programme with the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, set to open in 2014 with Singapore’s very first permanent exhibit of dinosaur fossils. Being the former National Parks Board chairman and enthusiastic nature lover, he was also devoted to teach and impart knowledge to his students. Come discover what this pioneering environmentalist has to say about Singapore’s “green” future.

Special treat! There will be an Edmontosaurus femur on display! (I think that's a dinosaur bone!)

Here's more about Prof Leo Tan and some previous media articles about him.

More details on the U@live page

Date: 25 Apr (Wed)
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Auditorium, Shaw Foundation Alumni House
National University of Singapore
11 Kent Ridge Drive, Singapore 119244

16-22 Apr: Highlights of the week ahead

for kids and the family

• Free Earth Day walk at Pasir Ris Mangrove boardwalk with the Naked Hermit Crabs
• Earth Day Celebrations @ Pasir Ris Park
• NSS Kids’ Fun with Bukit Brown’s Natural & Cultural Heritage
• Earth Day Special: Storytime with Sara - Learning about the 3Rs

This week is Earth Day! What is Earth Day? More on the Celebrating Singapore's Biodiversity blog with many activities for ordinary people to volunteer or to simply experience Mother Earth.

walks in our wild places

• Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin
• Earth Day at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• National Orchid Garden guided tour

talks this week

• 21 Apr (Sat): "Human-Monkey Conflict in Singapore"

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill

22 Apr (Sun): Birdwatching at Semakau Landfill

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

April 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.

21 Apr (Sat): Free Earth Day walk at Pasir Ris Mangrove boardwalk with the Naked Hermit Crabs

Celebrate Earth Day! There are fascinating mangroves at Pasir Ris Park! Easily explored through the boardwalks  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, delightful giant mudskippers and cool monitor lizards. Pasir Ris is also one of the few places where nesting herons are easily observed. And as the sun sets, we might spot some nocturnal animals like watersnakes. If we're lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the rare Mangrove pitta or the family of otters that have been seen here! 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.
Website and contact: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/

21 Apr (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

21 Apr (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 14 Apr

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/

21 Apr (Sat): Talk on "Human-Monkey Conflict in Singapore"

Many Singaporeans have forgotten that land-scarce Singapore must be shared with our wildlife. Learn about the long-tail macaques of Singapore and the problems they encounter due to human intervention from loss of habitat and behavioural changes due to feeding. It will give an insight to the natural life of monkeys, their eating habits, common behaviours and facial expressions. Through this talk, obtain a basic understanding of these fascinating animals and how to react when they are met the wild so that humans and monkeys may find an equilibrium living in this country.

More about the speaker: Raem is a manager in the Parks Division in National Parks Board. His job includes taking care of nature parks in Singapore and educating the public on being responsible park visitors.

This is Part 2 of the Biodiversity Series talks.

This talk is free and registration is not required.

Time: 3-4 pm
Venue: Yishun Public Library
Website: http://nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Ms Zheng Jiahui at zheng_jiahui@nparks.gov.sg

21 Apr (Sat): Earth Day Special: Storytime with Sara - Learning about the 3Rs

Join Sara and her friend, Rana the Frog, as they learn about how to save the earth and protect the environment. Children will also be taught the importance of trees and learn what they can do to save the environment. Go on a walk with Sara and gain first-hand experience walking through a rainforest, experiencing the sights, sounds and smell.

For enquiry and registration, please contact the SBG Education Branch at 6471 9961; 6465 0196 or email: nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg. Online registration is available on www.sbg.org.sg (under "Education")

Suitable for children in N1 – K2 levels

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

21 Apr (Sat): NSS Kids’ Fun with Bukit Brown’s Natural & Cultural Heritage

Open to the public.

Bukit Brown is the oldest surviving Chinese cemetery in Singapore, with tombs almost 200 years old. It is not at all scary in daytime. Birds (90 species) and other wildlife have made a home in the shady secondary forest and grassland found here. Expect to see a mix of birds such as bulbuls, parakeets and woodpeckers. Uncle Timothy Pwee will also guide us on a cultural tour of the place. Learn to appreciate the unique construction of these tombs, shaped like a mother's womb. Visit the area's largest grave, bigger than a basketball court, belonging to Ong Sam Leong and his family. Some tombs are even flanked by statues of Sikh guards, and many are adorned with beautiful carvings of Chinese legends.

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, 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: 8-10.30am
Venue: Bukit Brown Cemetery
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg 
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 Apr (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

21 Apr (Sat): Earth Day Celebrations @ Pasir Ris Park

Join the FREE celebrations of Earth Day at Pasir Ris. Go on a Mangrove Adventure and see creatures of the mangrove forst. Explore and learn with hands-on activities at the Sensory Kitchen and Butterfly Garden. Participate in many other exciting activities and win attractive prizes.

Listen to stories told by MOLLY the Mobile Library (10.30am followed by craft workshop at 11am. Remember to bring your library card. A MOLLY bag will be given out for every 6 loans while stocks last.

Want to do more for Earth Day? Register your organised group (more than 10 persons) and sign  up for the Park Cleanup.

To sign up email esther_tay@nparks.gov.sg or call 65851229.

Time: 9am-1pm
Venue: Pasir Ris Park
Website: http://nparks.gov.sg/

21 Apr (Sat): Earth Day at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Join this guided walk to identify passerine birds from their calls. Passerine relates to the largest order of birds (Passeriformes) consists typically birds with feet adapted for perching. You will help carry out a bird census. A great opportunity to learn how a passerine bird census is done and to identify birds by their calls.

Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a bottle of drinking water, hat, insect repellent. NO flash photography allowed. Event is weather permitting.

Time: 8am-12noon
Venue: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
Entry charges: While the walk 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/

9-15 Apr: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Free Chek Jawa boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs
• HeART for Nature FREE workshop for kids

Walks in wild places

• A walk with your neighbours meet the macaques of Bukit Timah
• Exploring back-mangroves! at Admiralty Park
• Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes a public walk by the Nature Society (Singapore)
• Forest walk at the Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Birdwatching at Lorong Halus with the Nature Society (Singapore)

Films this week

• 14 Apr (Sat): Free screening of "Jane’s Journey" about Dr Jane Goodall's travels across several continents, with unprecedented access to her intense and exciting past.

Talks this week

• 14 Apr (Sat): "Pasir Ris Park Mangrove, Jewel of the East"

Next week is Earth Day! with many activities for ordinary people to volunteer or to simply experience Mother Earth. More details on the Celebrating Singapore's Biodiversity blog.

15 Apr (Sun): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes

This walk is open to the public.

Join this walk with Azmi Mohamed. 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 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.

Register by 5 Apr by clicking on the 'ATTEND' button on the NSS website. A registration form will then be emailed to you. Maximum 20 persons.

Time: 7.45am to 11.00am
Website: http://www.nss.org.sgContact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

14 Apr (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

14 Apr (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: 9.30-10.30am. 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/

14 Apr (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/

14 Apr (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: $5 per person
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

14 Apr (Sat): Talk on "Pasir Ris Park Mangrove, Jewel of the East"

What's in a mangrove? The plants and animals that makeup this ecosystem have developed a variety of mechanisms to cope with high and fluctuating salinity, periodic flooding and lacking of oxygen in the ground. With their unique root systems and each species thrive in its own niche or soil-typed which is not found elsewhere. Discover the fascinating mudskippers, Fiddler crabs, Sesarmine crabs and dog-faced water snakes which live in large numbers at Pasir Ris Park mangrove. A walk to Pasir Ris Park is highly recommended after the talk.

General public, including children, are welcome.

More about the speaker: Mr Mohamad Yusoff is a manager with National Parks Board. Besides maintaining Pasir Ris Park, his job includes educating the public about the rich and unique biodiversity which can be found in the park.

This is Part 1 of the Biodiversity Series talks.

This talk is free and registration is not required.

Time: 3-4 pm
Venue: Bedok Public Library
Website: http://nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Ms Zheng Jiahui at zheng_jiahui@nparks.gov.sg

14 Apr (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

14 Apr (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

14 Apr (Sat): Birdwatching at Lorong Halus

This walk is open to the public and is led by Jimmy Lee. It will start at the Punggol Promenade. For years, Little Grebes have made their home at Lorong Halus, an old rubbish dump site. Grassland birds such as the Yellow-bellied Prinia, Baya Weaver, Long-tailed Shrike, munias and more thrive here. In 2011, PUB completed works to create 'Lorong Halus Wetland' to help purify water that flows through the dump site.

NSS Kids will have a dedicated kids guide.

Register by 4 April 2012 by clicking the 'ATTEND' button on the NSS website. Restricted to 30 participants on a first-come-first-served basis.

Time: 7.30-11am
Venue: Meet beside the Popeye Restaurant at Tebing Lane off Punggol East. You can take the MRT to Punggol station and transfer to the LRT. Alight at Riviera LRT station and walk towards the meeting point.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg 
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

14 Apr (Sat): Free screening of "Jane’s Journey"

In “Jane’s Journey”, we accompany Dr Jane Goodall on her travels across several continents, with unprecedented access to her intense and exciting past. From her childhood home in Bournemouth, England, we embark to ‘Gombe National Park’ on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in Tanzania, her second home. This is where she began her groundbreaking research nearly half a century ago, and where to this day she still returns every year to enjoy the company of the chimpanzees that made her the internationally recognized activist so loved and deeply respected.

“Jane’s Journey” is an intimate portrait of the private person behind the world-famous icon – an exceptional woman, possibly the most fascinating woman of our time. More on the “Jane’s Journey” website.

Organised by the Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore), sponsored by fashion retailer Club 21, in cooperation with the Singapore Environment Council.

"Jane's Journey" is part of this year's "Youth for the Environment Day" . All students attending the movie screening will get a chance to WIN a signed copy of [Me...Jane] and other attractive prices!!

Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Symphony Stage
Website and contact: http://janegoodall.org.sg/

2-8 Apr: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• HeART for Nature FREE workshop for kids
• Fun kids talk on "Plant Parts"

Walks in our wild places

• Up Close and Personal @ Peirce
• Edible and Medicinal Plants tour at the Botanic Gardens
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

For Nature Society (Singapore) only

• Plant Walk at Bukit Batok Nature Park

8 Apr (Sun): Plant Walk at Bukit Batok Nature Park

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Join the Plant Group for a stroll through the mature secondary forest of Bukit Batok Nature Park. This walk will be led by Tony O'Dempsey.

Time: 3pm, meet at the carpark entrance.
Venue: Bukit Batok Nature Park
Website: http://www.nss.org.sgContact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

7 Apr (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: 9.30-10.30am. 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/

7 Apr (Sat): Fun kids talk on "Plant Parts"

Just as each of the organs of our body performs specific roles, each part of a plant, such as roots, stem, leaves, flowers and fruits, has its special function too! Join us for this fun activity where children can ‘create’ their own plant, while recognising the mains parts of plants and understanding their different functions.

For children 12 years and below.

More about the speaker: 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.

This talk is free and registration is not required.

Time: 3-4 pm
Venue: Bukit Batok Public Library
Website: http://nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: Ms Zheng Jiahui at zheng_jiahui@nparks.gov.sg

7 Apr (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/

7 Apr (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)

7 Apr (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

26 Mar - 1 Apr: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Kids events at Gardeners' Day Out at HortPark: tours, art, games and more.

Special event! Celebrate Earth Hour 2012

Walks in wild places

• Mangrove Ecology Walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• HortPark Butterfly Garden guided tour

Talk this week

• 29 Mar (Thu): "Secret Shores of Singapore" by Ria Tan at Green Drinks