wild happenings in singapore: February 2014

17-23 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Nature Keeper Programme

Walks in wild places

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

23 Feb (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://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

23 Feb (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 Mandarin guided walks on the Purple Mangrove blog. 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

22 Feb (Sat): Birdwatching at Pulau Ubin

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Pulau Ubin is an island that never fails to surprise with many new things still waiting to be discovered. We will bird from Ubin Jetty to Chek Jawa. Island specialities include the Red Junglefowl, Oriental Pied Hornbill and the globally endangered Straw-headed Bulbul. We then return to Ubin Jetty by island taxi. Both bumboat and taxi fares are to be borne by participants.

Time: 7.30-11am
Venue: Meet at Changi Jetty, to take the bumboat to Pulau Ubin.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

22 Feb (Sat): Southern Ridges Butterfly Walk

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

We will take the forest and hilltop route via the Henderson Waves bridge to reach Telok Blangah Hill Park. Tired legs may go off from here while we continue on, ending the walk at Mount Faber Park’s Marang Trail. The Southern Ridges is home to over 100 butterfly species including uncommon ones such as the Ambon Oynx and Silver Royal. Let us see which rarities we can spot this time!

Time: 9.30am, meet at the Hort Park visitor centre.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

22 Feb (Sat): Nature Keeper Programme

Designed to stimulate the interest of the young and inculcate in them an appreciation of our forests, the programme will be carried out at Dairy Farm Nature Park. The programme aims to nurture young volunteers in protecting our natural heritage in the longer term.

Children will learn more about the fun facts of the forests in Singapore and have the opportunity to interact with nature. As part of the programme, they will also be introduced to “The Green Factory” and understand how forest products are incorporated into our daily life. There will also be a guided walk at Wallace Trail and an art-and-craft session.

Suitable for children 7 - 10 years old.

Only 20 spaces available. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis and is required at least 3 weeks in advance. For enquiry or registration on Nature Keeper Programme, please email ruth_foo@nparks.gov.sg or jeanne_tan@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park
Dates for 2014: 22 Feb

22 Feb (Sat): Art in Nature at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

For the serious artist and those with relevant art background, this Wildlife Art workshop is for you. Started in June 2010 and resumed early 2013, get ready to busy yourself with sketchpads and paint brushes.

Volunteer leader - Jerome Pang will be sharing and guiding volunteers and participants who are passionate in both art and nature conservation to develop their art skills while raising awareness on conservation and biodiversity. Themes include, local wildlife, animals, birds, insects and plants.

With the launch of Snake Exhibition at Wallace Education Centre (Launch End June) located at Dairy Farm Nature Park, participants will work on wildlife art, primarily on local snakes species and will get to have their artwork featured at exhibition.

Register online

- Registrants will have to bring their own art materials (Recommended by trainer, Jerome Pang)
- Only open for art students or anyone with drawing/sketching/painting skills
- 2 Subjects per workshop

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, Seminar Room (Level 2)
Contact: Ms Nur Fadzleen Niza fadzleen_arrifin@nparks.gov.sg / 98419965
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

22 Feb (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

Join this free one-hour tour by the Botanic Gardens 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 15 minutes before the tour starts, and 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: 64717361 / 64717138 orNParks_SBG_Visitor_Services@nparks.gov.sg .

22 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 and 3.30pm 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

15 Feb (Sat): Horseshoe Crab Rescue and 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 and Accreditation Programme for anyone keen to be a qualified HSC&Rer. We recommend that you bring a cap, shoes/booties, sun block, repellent, cutter (for HSC rescue) and camera. Washing facilities available.

Please register with Kerr Pereira kerry@nss.org.sg or at the NSS website, stating your name, if you are a NSS member or not, affiliations (eg school, company), experience if any, and contact details

Time: 4-7pm, 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.

15 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.

Book online. 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/

15 Feb (Sat): Storytime with Sara: Sara visits the Heritage Core

A Storytelling and Guided Tour for kids

Did you know that the Singapore Botanic Gardens is more than a hundred years old? Like a treasure trove, it contains wonderful memories and stories surrounding plants and people. Children will join Sara and her grandmother, Nana, as they recount stories about the pioneers of the Gardens and how they experimented and grew important plants such as the rubber and orchids. They will also discover interesting facts about the Gardens and its heritage icons. The tour will conclude with a tour around the heritage core of the Gardens where children will admire the Gardens’ majestic Heritage Trees and iconic Bandstand and Swan Lake, Singapore’s oldest ornamental water body. Through appreciating the past, children will understand the importance of conserving our natural and cultural heritage for themselves and their future generations.

This programme includes an indoor storytelling session as well as an outdoor guided tour around the Heritage Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Guiding to the SBG Heritage Museum will not be included in this programme.

Suitable for children in K1 – P2 levels.

Online registration here

Time: 10.00am – 11.00am
Cost: $6 per child; $6 per accompanying adult
Venue: The Green Pavilion, Botany Centre, Tanglin Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Contact: SBG Education Branch at 64719961 and 6465 0196 or email nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg.

15 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.

This free guided walk will introduce you to the common native flora and fauna found in the primary rainforest.

This guided walk is suitable for families with children 9 and above, 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/

15 Feb (Sat): National Orchid Garden guided tour

Explore the beauty and diversity of orchids in the National Orchid Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens. 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

Full map at http://www.sbg.org.sg/map_nog.htm

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

15 Feb (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

15 Feb (Sat): FREE Love MacRitchie Walk (Venus Loop)

Let enthusiastic volunteer guides share with you stories about the amazing plants and animals living in our precious forest heritage. This series of free guided walks for the public are conducted by Raffles Museum Toddycats for the Love Our MacRitchie Forest movement

Register online at http://tinyurl.com/lovemacritchiewalk-15feb-venus

Time: 8.30am-11.30pm
Meeting venue: Venus Drive Carpark (NOT MacRitchie Reservoir Park!) see this map http://tinyurl.com/lovemacritchiewalks-nus-map
Route: Venus Loop (dirt trail)
Max: 25 persons
Attire: Covered walking shoes, preferably long pants
Bring: Water, insect repellent, cap/hat to protect you from the sun, poncho/umbrella in case of rain. DO NOT CARRY PLASTIC BAGS to avoid attracting monkeys.

More information on the Love MacRitchie website

3-9 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

HeART for Nature - FREE workshop for kids

Walks in wild places

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Bukit Brown

9 Feb (Sun): Birdwatching at Bukit Brown

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only.

Join us for a walk around this unique and quiet corner of Singapore while it is still relatively undisturbed. This area is partially open with some huge trees. Expect to see a mix of parkland, open country and forest birds such as babblers, bulbuls, doves, flowerpeckers, parakeets, sunbirds and woodpeckers.
NSS Kids attending the walk with their parents will have a dedicated kids guide.

Time: 7.30-11.00am
Venue: Meet at the entrance of Bukit Brown Chinese Cemetery near the junction of Sime Road and Kheam Hock Road.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

8 Feb (Sat): Waders' Watch Workshop at Sungei Buloh

The migratory bird season has started and the birds are here at Sungei Buloh! Sungei Buloh is an important bird site for these birds. Every year, thousands of these birds visit Sungei Buloh and other parts of Singapore to find food and shelter during winter in the northern parts of the world. Join in this workshop to know how to identify these amazing birds. Also learn how to Birdwatch and how you can help NParks in studying the migratory patterns of these birds in Singapore.

The workshop comprises a lecture and discussion about the birds followed by a field tour to practice identifying migratory shorebirds. It would be good if you have a pair of binoculars but we can loan you a limited number of binoculars. Attire: Cotton, covered comfortable walking shoes

Please email info@sbwr.org.sg to reserve your place as there are limited slots. Upon receiving your cheque, the Reserve will confirm your registration.

Time: 9am - 12noon
Cost: $5 (Includes admission fees and materials) (Please pay by cheque payable to National Parks Board, Attn: Waders' Watch and snail mail to 301, Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 718925)
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

8 Feb (Sat): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes with Nature Society (Singapore)

Open to the public but children below 12 are not allowed for safety reasons.

From the meeting point, 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 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 on the NSS website by 10 Jan. A registration form will then be sent to you. Max: 20 persons.

Time: 7.30-11am
Venue: Meet at Kranji Dam Carpark near the Tidal Gates of Kranji Reservoir (off Kranji Way). Reachable by Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station. If you are driving (from SLE or Kranji MRT Stn), follow Kranji Way heading towards Sg Buloh Wetland Reserve, and you will pass Sg Kadut Industrial Est and Kranji Reservoir before reaching Carpark B.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

8 Feb (Sat): Art in Nature at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

8 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 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 orNPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

8 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 at least 4 days in advance by emailing ruth_foo@nparks.gov.sg or jeanne_tan@nparks.gov.sg.

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

8 Feb (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit Timah

The long-tailed macaques at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve are commonly seen, but often misunderstood. Few know about the social world of these monkeys. They have family members, power struggles, friends, foes, and a complex social network. In many ways, they mirror our own social life!

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.

This walk is held every second Saturday of the month.

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

8 Feb (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

26 Jan - 2 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

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. Check out the many DIY Trail Guides on the NParks website. 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.

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!

1 Feb (Sat): Istana Open House

The Istana grounds are open to the public in celebration of Chinese New Year.

View the Istana gardens while a variety of performances on the grounds provide entertainment. You may also have the chance to have your photos taken with the President and First Lady when they come by to greet visitors.

Selected function rooms with displays of gifts presented to the President and Prime Minister by foreign dignitaries can be viewed for a fee of $2. All proceeds from entrance fees and the sale of Istana souvenirs will be donated to charity.

More details on the Istana website.

Time: 8.30am - 6pm
Venue: Entrance to the grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road.
Charges: Admission to the Istana grounds is free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents. Others, including foreign visitors, are charged $1 per person.
Website: http://www.istana.gov.sg/

Guided nature walks in Istana to be launched during every Open House
Leong Wai Kit Channel NewsAsia 28 Jan 14;

SINGAPORE: Nature lovers can now take a walk at the Istana and admire its flora and fauna at every Open House.

This is a tie-up collaboration between the National Parks Board and the President's Office.

The walk is organised for the public to better appreciate the greening and conservation efforts at the Istana.

The guided walk will include the Spice Terrace, Front Lawn, Queen Victoria Garden and the Villa.

Earlier Tuesday, President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan gave a preview of the guided tours to some 30 visitors including students from Cedar Primary School, Queenstown Primary School, Queenstown Secondary School and West Spring Secondary School, as well as beneficiaries from the Association of Persons with Special Needs (APSN) Centre for Adults Horticulture Programme.

Tickets to the tours are at S$4 for Singaporeans and S$10 for other visitors.

Proceeds from the tour will go to charity.

- CNA/fa

1 Feb (Sat): Tour of the Healing Garden, Botanic Gardens

A free guided tour of the 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)

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