wild happenings in singapore: August 2012

31 Aug-1 Sep: Free Wayang shows at Pulau Ubin with free ferry rides

Come to Pulau Ubin for authentic traditional wayang in celebration of seventh month "hungry ghost festival"

This is NOT a special performance put up for the public, but a part of the way of life of the residents of Ubin. Here is a chance to take part in a dying tradition. Take a bumboat to Pulau Ubin and enjoy what may be the last of these performances. You can also enjoy a sumptious dinner at the restaurants there before or while watching the show.

Free boat rides to Ubin from Changi Point Ferry Terminal from 6.30-10pm and Ubin to Changi from 8-11pm (8.30pm on 1 Sep).

Thanks to the alert by November on the Pulau Ubin Stories blog who got the information from Alan Tan.

More about Pulau Ubin and how to get there and about wayang at Ubin on the wildsingapore website. More about Wayang at Pulau Ubin also on the ubin.sgkopi blog.

30 Aug (Thu): Green Drinks features Seagrasses and Aqua Republica

Siti of TeamSeagrass will share about how seagrass is more than just green stuff in the sea!

Seagrasses at Changi Beach!

Learn about the vital role seagrasses play in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems, the changing face of seagrass landscapes in Singapore and it’s potential for combating climate change.

Also speaking at the event is Chengzi Chew of DHI Group who will speak about Aqua Republica, a new online strategic game that taps into social networks and the phenomenon of serious games. It helps raise awareness and educate stakeholders of the importance and challenges of managing limited natural resources in the face of multiple and often competing demands in the drive towards sustainable development.

About Siti
Siti is the science lead for TeamSeagrass and is currently a doctoral student at the National University of Singapore. She hearts all marine habitats equally and thinks you should too.

About Chengzi
Chengzi Chew has been working for the past 4 years as an engineering consultant at DHI Denmark. He has extensive experience in the water business especially in software design and innovation. He has also been leading the serious game initiative within DHI with a pioneer project together with partners like UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) and Serious Games Interactive.

More about the talk on the Green Drinks blog.

Time: 7.30-9.30pm (talk will be followed by Q&A, then mingling)
Venue: Room 903 (Level 9), NTUC Centre, One Marina Boulevard
RSVP: olivia@greendrinkssingapore.com

20-26 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids the family

Lots of activities are lined up for the September school holidays! Many require pre-registration. Book your places early!

Walks in wild places

26 Aug (Sun): M.A.D. (Make A Difference) for Wild Pigs

A FREE education programme by Cicada Tree Eco-Place

Where do wild pigs live in Singapore? Are there wild pigs that live in other parts of the world? What do wild pigs look like? What do they eat? What may eat them? How many piglets do they usually have? What dangers do they face? How can we live with them? What can we do to conserve them? If we should meet a with a wild pig, what should we do? If you're a kid between the ages of 5 and 10 years, and would like to learn more about wild pigs, then join us for an evening of fun and learning. Take home with you a better idea about wild pigs that live in our midst.

Note: This workshop will not bring you into close contact with wild pigs.

Pre-registration and more details with Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participants' names, ages & a mobile no. pls indicate which lesson you are signing up for. Additional date: 9 Sep (Sun) 4-6 pm

Time: 6-8 pm
Meeting point: car park at main entrance of lower peirce reservoir park off Old Upper Thomson Road, behind petrol station. Map
Website and contact: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

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

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

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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 Information 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.sgor call 6794 1401

25 Aug (Sat): Butterfly Walk at Hort Park

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Meet Gan Cheong Weei and the butterfly group at the Hort Park Visitor Centre to check out the butterflies. Vicinity to the Southern Ridges forest and abundance of flowers makes this a good butterfly watching habitat. Common Birdwing, the largest butterfly in Singapore, visits this park almost everyday.

NSS kids attending the walk with their parents will have a dedicated kids guide.

Time: 9.30-11.30am
Location: Hort Park
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

25 Aug (Sat): Learning Journey: Heritage Tree and Roads Tour

In conjunction with the “Trees for Life” Art Exhibition held in Serangoon Public Library from 15 August to 2 September 2012, join us for a tour of some Heritage Trees and Roads of Singapore. Heritage Trees are mature trees of special historical, botanical, social, cultural and/or aesthetic value in society. Through this tour, you can get up close and personal with the trees, which are an important part of our roots as a City in a Garden.

More about the speaker
Gan Khing enjoys looking at trees and has been working in NParks for the past six years. She is now in the Urban Gardening Section/Heritage Tree Secretariat, sharing with the public her passion for trees.

The Learning Journey is limited to 35 participants. Registration is open at golibrary.com.sg, on a first-come-first-served basis.

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

25 Aug (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.

25 Aug (Sat): Evolution Garden guided walk

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

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

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

Suitable for kids.

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

Time: 9am
Venue: Register at Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens before the tour starts.
Website and contact: http://www.sbg.org.sg/ Visitor Services 6471 7361

25 Aug (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

13-19 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

For kids! Pasir Ris Park Butterfly Garden and Mangrove Boardwalk tour

Walks in wild places

Other activities

“Trees for Life” Workshop: Nature Sketching

18 Aug (Sat): For kids! Pasir Ris Park Butterfly Garden and Mangrove Boardwalk tour

Join Cicaca Tree Eco Place to explore this newly-revamped garden plot inside Pasir Ris Park. Here we see many kinds of herbs, spices and vegetables being grown, and stroll through a butterfly-attracting garden. Learn to identify the plants that are crucial to butterflies, moths, honeybees and other important pollinators, as nectar-food and caterpillar-food plants. Learn how to grow and propagate these plants too.

As dusk falls, we enter the mangrove boardwalk to look for nocturnal animals and night-blooming plants. Here we are sure to see some Dog-faced Watersnakes coming out to hunt. Tree-climbing Crabs are also more active at night, many perching up on branches like birds! Pong-Pong flowers perfume the air.

Please note: Both garden plot and boardwalk have level pathways suitable for those in wheelchairs. There is a carpark and public toilet nearby. Bring torchlight and batteries, poncho or raincoat, packed dinner, water in your refillable water bottle, herbal mosquito repellent. Please wear long pants, tee-shirt, socks and covered shoes. Long-sleeved shirt is recommended.

Pre-registration required, email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participants' names, ages and a mobile no. pls indicate whether signing up for 1 or both lessons.

More information on MAD lessons for wildlife

Time: 6-8pm
Cost: $15 per kid (suitable for kids 5 years and above). No charge for 1 accompanying adult.

Venue: Pasir Ris Park, carpark C map
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

18 Aug (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 Aug (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 Aug (Sat): “Trees for Life” Workshop: Nature Sketching

In conjunction with the “Trees for Life” Art Exhibition held in Serangoon Public Library from 15 August to 2 September 2012, join us for this casual workshop where you will find out what goes behind the scene in the creation of a beautiful nature sketch. Be inspired to take up nature sketching which gives you new perspectives about our City in a Garden. Find out how to get started on this rewarding hobby from our very own nature artist.

About the speaker
Mr Tham Pui San is a self-taught nature artist who is one of the judges for the “Trees for Life” Art Competition 2012. An active volunteer with the National Parks Board, Mr Tham conducts nature sketching and painting classes at various locations including Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve and HortPark.

This talk is free of charge and registration is not required. For enquiries, please send
nparks_urban_gardening@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 3-4 pm
Venue: Serangoon Public Library
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

18 Aug (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

6-12 Aug: HIghlights of the week ahead

For kids and families

Walks in wild places

Having a long weekend? A great time to go wild on your own! Fabulous 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.

12 Aug (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

12 Aug (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/

11 Aug (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 Aug (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/

11 Aug (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 a boardwalk, 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.

Tours in Mandarin are available at 10am and 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am and 4pm; 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 Aug (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

30 Jul-5 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

Make a difference this weekend!

Pre-National Day coastal cleanup @ Lim Chu Kang mangrove!

Walks in wild places

4 Aug (Sat): pre-National Day coastal cleanup @ Lim Chu Kang mangrove!

Join International Coastal Cleanup Singapore to tackle the trash at Lim Chu Kang mangroves.

Trash from the Johor Straits is regularly deposited on Lim Chu Kang beach and mangrove and since this is state land, and not used recreationally, the impact on marine life is battled through the efforts of various groups who take to the beach and mangrove during cleanups throughout the year.

The removal of trash is tackled sensitively through the actions of small groups. A pre-National Day cleanup is organised annually in celebration of Singapore’s birthday and welcomes anyone who might want to come.

Pre-registration is required, online by 2 Aug.

More details on the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore blog.

Time: 7.45am-11am
Venue: Lim Chu Kang mangroves
Website and contact: http://coastalcleanup.wordpress.com/

4 Aug (Sat): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes

Lee Ee Ling 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, online at the NSS website, by 26 July. A registration form will then be emailed to you. Max: 20 pax.

This walk is open to the public but children below 12 are not allowed for safety reasons.

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.

4 Aug (Sat): Tour of the Healing Garden, Botanic Gardens

A free guided tour of the newly launched Healing Garden which showcases over 400 varieties of plants used medicinally. It is laid out thematically relating to component parts of the body such as head, respiratory and reproductive systems. Spread over 2.5 hectares, this garden is designed as a tranquil retreat with medical plants traditionally used in Southeast Asia as the main focus.

This walk is conducted every first Saturday of the month.

Time: 9am and 10am, please register 15 minutes before the tour
Venue: Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services (6471 7361)

wild happenings in singapore

Pages

31 Aug-1 Sep: Free Wayang shows at Pulau Ubin with free ferry rides

30 Aug (Thu): Green Drinks features Seagrasses and Aqua Republica

20-26 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

26 Aug (Sun): M.A.D. (Make A Difference) for Wild Pigs

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

25 Aug (Sat): Butterfly Walk at Hort Park

25 Aug (Sat): Learning Journey: Heritage Tree and Roads Tour

25 Aug (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

25 Aug (Sat): Evolution Garden guided walk

25 Aug (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

13-19 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

18 Aug (Sat): For kids! Pasir Ris Park Butterfly Garden and Mangrove Boardwalk tour

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

18 Aug (Sat): National Orchid Garden guided tour

18 Aug (Sat): “Trees for Life” Workshop: Nature Sketching

18 Aug (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

6-12 Aug: HIghlights of the week ahead

12 Aug (Sun): Mandarin guided tour at Sungei Buloh

12 Aug (Sun): The Art of Paper Folding at Sungei Buloh

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

11 Aug (Sat): HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids

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

11 Aug (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

30 Jul-5 Aug: Highlights of the week ahead

4 Aug (Sat): pre-National Day coastal cleanup @ Lim Chu Kang mangrove!

4 Aug (Sat): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes

4 Aug (Sat): Tour of the Healing Garden, Botanic Gardens

4 Aug (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

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