31 Dec (Sat): What's in my mangrove?

Mangrove forests are living borders of the freshwater and salt water. Out of 73 true mangroves species worldwide, 22 can be found in Sungei Buloh.
Join this free morning walk and get to know the mangrove trees and plants of Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Visitor Centre. Please meet at the Information Counter, Kranji Way entrance
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19-25 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Go wild during the school holidays!

Check out the highlights of exciting nature activities specially for kids!

And MORE fun school holiday activities to discover and enjoy.


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.

A tip for school holidays during weekends

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!

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

26 Dec (Mon): Boxing Day Former Rail Corridor Walk (Kranji-Bukit Timah)

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Join the Nature Society of Singapore (NSS) Green Corridor walk on the former Malayan Railway route. Estimated to be around 13km, this planned walk will start at Kranji MRT Station and end at the former Bukit Timah Railway Station (near King Albert Park Station). See the lush greenery as well as the rustic ironcast bridges and landmarks of heritage value along the route.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 8.30am - 1pm
Venue: Meet at Kranji MRT Station
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

24 Dec (Sat): What's in my sky?

Birdwatchers, join us in this free guided walk and learn to identify many amazing birds of different species that passes through or make Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve their home.

Limited to 20 persons. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre
Please meet at Information Counter, Neo Tiew entrance
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

24 Dec (Sat): Mandarin guided tour at Sungei Buloh

Join us for a morning guided walk around the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
This guided walk is suitable for everyone, including families with children.

The walk will be cancelled in the event of rain. Number of participants is limited to 20 people. Minimum number of participants is 5. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre. Please meet at the Information Counter, Kranji Way entrance
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

22 Dec (Thu): Sara the Forgetful Dinosaur - Children's guided treasure hunt

A giant forgetful prehistoric dinosaur has left its eggs in the Singapore Botanic Gardens! Children will discover some interesting members of the plant kindgom in this guided tour ending in a treasure hunt.

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels

More details and registration online.

Time: 10am - 11am
Cost: $8.50 per child (includes $2.50 "Sara, The Forgetful Dinosaur" Workbook) and $6 per accompanying adult.
Venue: Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

20 Dec (Tue): Sara Goes Gardening - a guided tour for kids

Sara, the Botanicosaurus, and her siblings and friends are going to discover the joy of gardening at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Join Sara as she discovers fascinating facts and enjoys interesting stories about aloe vera, lemon grass, garlic, spring onion and many more nutritious and yummy herbs and spices. Alongside learning about plants for a healthier and stronger body, pick up gardening tips to grow your favourite plants for your very own kitchen garden!
Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels

More details and registration online.

Time: 10 - 11am
Cost: $9 per child (includes "Sara Goes Gardening" book) and $6 per accompanying adult.
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/

12-18 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family



Walks in wild places




Go wild during the school holidays!

The December school holidays are here! Check out the highlights of exciting nature activities specially for kids!

And MORE fun school holiday activities to discover and enjoy.

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.

A tip for school holidays during weekends

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!

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

18 Dec (Sun): FREE Guided Walk @ Treetop Walk

Herps are reptiles like lizards and snakes, and amphibians like frogs. Let the HSS volunteers introduce you to some delightful and interesting herps in their inaugural walk.
In an effort to promote an awareness of Singapore’s natural and historical heritage, and to promote conversations amongst Singaporeans, the HSS has begun the Herp Walk! We want to raise awareness, in particular, about Herps! These misunderstood creatures are often thought of as scary or unnecessary. But we want to show Singaporeans that Herps are important and integral to the Singaporean ecosystem!

More details on their blog.

The walk is free but registration is required online.

Time: 8am - 12noon
Venue: Successful registrants will be informed of the Meeting Point via email
Website: https://herpsocsg.wordpress.com/

17 Dec (Sat): Heron Watch

Join this islandwide survey of herons, egrets and bittern. To contribute to a citizen science study of these birds.
click on image for larger view.
Anyone can take part. Training session available. For more details, email Yap Xinli (Yap_Xinli@NParks.gov.sg)

Herons are predators at the top of the freshwater food chain. As they are good indicators of our environmental health, it is important to monitor how well they are coping in our local setting. Anyone can take part in Heron Watch by contributing information about heron sightings at green spaces in your neighbourhood, canals and wooded parks.

Herons are large birds that are easily identified. Novice birders can learn to identify the common species of herons at our training session on 10 Dec 2016 at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre.

More details on the NParks website.

Time: 7am -10am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (Sat): Fun walk along the Southern Ridges

Take your family on a leisurely stroll through the Southern Ridges, a soothing sanctuary of greenery that is steeped in history and home to some of nature's greatest gifts of flora and fauna.
Highlights of the free tour include the Henderson Waves, Sembcorp Forest of Giants, Forest Walk and Singing Forest.

More details and registration online.

Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Telok Blangah Hill Park, Multipurpose Plaza
Meeting Point: Entrance of Henderson Waves at the Mount Faber Park side
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (Sat): Birdwatching 101 at Sungei Buloh

Migratory bird season is here again. Every year, thousands of birds escape the cold north to spend the winter months in the warmer southern parts of the earth. Singapore, especially Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, is a favourite stop-over for these birds.
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Want to know these birds but don't know how to get started? We are conducting a workshop for the novice. We will spend some time learning bird watching basics like
(1) Learning how to identify birds
(2) Learning how to use a pair of binoculars and the spotting scope to better see the details of birds
(3) Putting these skills into practice

No prior skill/knowledge is required. Come prepared in long sleeved tops and long pants (muted colours preferred). Bring along drinking water, pen and paper.

Limited to 15 participants (suitable for 16 years and above). Registration online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (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.

A tour in Mandarin is also conducted at 4pm.

More details on the NParks website.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (English) and 4pm (Mandarin), register at Visitor Centre, Nassim Gate, 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.nparks.gov.sg/`

17 Dec (Sat): Kampong Tour at Pulau Ubin

Take a walk with us to experience Ubin's wonderful natural and cultural heritage. The 2.2km trail takes about 2 hours to complete. The tour will start at the Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub and take you through the spice trees around Jelutong campsite, Butterfly Hill, Pekan Quarry, Sensory Trail Ponds, Kampong House, Old Bin Kiang School site, Toa Pek Kong Temple and end at the Wayang Stage. You will hear about the use of spices in cooking and the interesting history of the different sites.
Do you know what the Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub was in the 1970s? When was the Toa Pek Kong Temple built? If you would like to know, then this is an excellent introduction to the heritage of the island.

For all ages, children under the age of 13 to be under parental/guardian guidance.

Limited to 4 groups, each group a maximum of 15 people. Register online.

Time: 9.30 - 11.30am
Venue: Meet at Ubin-HSBC Volunteer Hub, a 10-min walk from Ubin Jetty. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin.
Cost: Guided tours charges: SGD$60.00 / Group (for a maximum of 15 people) Only payment via cheque are allowed until further notice. 4 groups per day allowed, each group can accommodate a maximum of 15 people
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (Sat): What's in my water?

What's that swimming in the water? A fish, a worm, an insect or a crocodile!? Join us for an interesting morning walk getting to know the creatures and plants that lives in and around the water edges of Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre. Please meet at Information Counter, Visitor Centre (Kranji Way entrance)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (Sat): Nature Appreciation Walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Join this free Guided Nature Appreciation Walk to find out more about the flora and fauna that can be found in the reserve!
Experience nature in its pristine form at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, which is a mere 12 km from the bustling city centre. By virtue of Singapore’s location on the equatorial belt, the reserve has one of the richest and most diverse ecological systems.

Suitable for children 7 and above. More information and registration online.

Time: 9.30am-10.30am.
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (Visitor Centre)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (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 boar, 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 with this online form.

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. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin and to Chek Jawa.
Duration: Two hours
Cost: no charge for now, but donations accepted.
Website: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/
Contact: nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

17 Dec (Sat): Love MacRitchie Walk by Toddycats - Venus Drive

Join the NUS Toddycats of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in discovering the forest! Learn about amazing plants and animals living in our backyard as part of the Love Our MacRitchie Forest movement.
The Cross Island MRT Line (CRL) site investigation works are slated to begin this month. How will the works affect the forest and wildlife? Come join us learn about the conservation issues surrounding the proposed CRL through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

The forest trail at Venus Loop is a dirt path, which is relatively level and suitable for children and the elderly. Be prepared for some mud.

This guided walk is conducted by volunteers and is free-of-charge. Limited spaces available.

More details and registration online.

Time: 8.30am - 11.30am
Venue: Venus Drive
Website: http://lovemacritchie.wordpress.com/

15 Dec (Thu): Plants and Their Habitats -- a guided tour for kids

Just like us, plants need a home to provide themselves with food and shelter. Plant habitats are diverse, which include gardens, ponds and even deserts.
During this tour, children will be led to observe different plant habitats and explore the features of plants and understand how certain adaptations help plants survive.

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels. Register online.

Time: 10am - 11am
Venue: Botany Centre, Tanglin Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying adult. Please make the payment on the spot on the event date itself.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

14 Dec (Wed): Chek Jawa Intertidal Guided Tour

Join the NParks volunteers for a tour to discover and learn about Chek Jawa's six ecosystems and the diverse array of animals that inhabits these unique habitats.
Journey through the Chek Jawa Visitor Centre, 1.1km long boardwalk, Jejawi viewing tower and sandbar with experienced guides.

Open to all ages, children under the age of 13 to be under parental/guardian guidance. More details and registration online, 'waitlist' will appear once event is fully booked.

Time: 4pm - 6pm
Venue: Pulau Ubin, Open Lawn (Chek Jawa Visitor Centre). More on how to get to Pulau Ubin and to Chek Jawa.
Cost: $60 per group (for a maximum of 15 people)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

14 Dec (Wed): Kids Rainforest Exploration at Lower Peirce Reservoir Boardwalk

Join Cicada Tree Eco Place for this special kids' event. Hey kids, our rainforest is home to amazing real-life pokemons! Here lives the Colugo, a fantastic gliding mammal. Other cute gliders include the Flying Squirrel, Flying Lizard and the Flying Snake. Some of our rainforest critters are great at pretending to be leaves and sticks. The forest Dead Leaf Cockroach looks exactly like a dead brown leaf!
The rainforest here is also home to the Lesser Mousedeer, Gold-ringed Catsnake, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Forest Halfbeak and many others. So c’mon, don’t poke your phone, let’s go explore deep into the rainforest to find and observe these amazing real-life wild critters!
  • Bring refillable water bottle, poncho/raincoat/umbrella, hat, snacks, herbal mosquito repellent.
  • Wear full-length long pants, long-sleeved cotton shirt, socks and fully covered shoes.
  • Your naturalist guide is Andrew Tay
Registration: pls email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg with names of participants, kids' ages and your mobile no.

Time: 10am - 12noon.
Venue: Lower Peirce Reservoir Forest. We meet at 9.45am at the car park at junction of Casuarina Road and Upper Thomson Road (outside the Sembawang Baptist Church). The walk will end back at this starting point where participants can get lunch at the Casuarina Road food shops.
Cost: $13 per adult or kid. Free for participants’ kids aged 5 yrs and below.

5-11 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family



Walks in wild places



For Nature Society (Singapore) members only




Go wild during the school holidays!

The December school holidays are here! Check out the highlights of exciting nature activities specially for kids!

And MORE fun school holiday activities to discover and enjoy.

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.

A tip for school holidays during weekends

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!

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

11 Dec (Sun): Merry Mangrove Mapping with R.U.M. at Pulau Ubin

Specially for December only! Our free monthly walk includes a chance to try out mangrove mapping.
A slow walk through Pulau Ubin, Singapore's last kampung.
Join the R.U.M. volunteers on a leisurely walk from Ubin Town to learn about nearby mangroves and Ubin people and kampung culture.

Stop at a mangrove area to try your hand at mangrove mapping! Learn more about the science behind mangrove restoration.
Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative practicing mapping mangroves
This is what mangrove mapping looks like!
All are welcomed! The event is free but registration is required as there are limited slots. More details and registration online.

Here's the spot where we will be doing mangrove mapping during our walk. Only those with appropriate footwear will be allowed to go into the shore: not very soft, but wet and muddy. More details here.
Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative orientation walk for Sea Angel volunteers

Time: 2pm - 5pm
Venue: At Pulau Ubin, meet at Uncle Lim's shop
Website: http://rum-initiative.blogspot.sg/

11 Dec (Sun): Birdwatching at Pasir Ris Park

for Nature Society (Singapore) members Only

As one of the largest parks in Singapore at 70 hectares, Pasir Ris Park offers an interesting mix of habitats for birds. These range from coastal woods and open parkland to mangroves. We will explore a small section to look for residents such as the Red Junglefowl, as well as Grey and Black-crowned Night Herons. At this time of the year, winter visitors like the Arctic Warbler and Asian Brown Flycatcher are possible finds.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 7.30am
Venue: Meet at Pasir Ris Carpark C
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

11 Dec (Sun): Kayaking Mandai Mangroves

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Join Huey in exploring the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) of Mandai mangroves. We will kayak along Sungei Mandai Besar and Sungei Mandai Kechil where large stands of mature mangroves exist alongside abandoned kampongs. This coastal tract is home to a permanent population of horseshoe crabs. We might spot resident Brahminy Kites and White-bellied Sea Eagles circling overhead, or the migratory Osprey and other overwintering birds. This paddle is suitable for beginners as the kayaks used are stable double-seaters.

Participants must be at least 8 years old. Those 12 years old and below must be accompanied by one parent (no guardians) in the same kayak.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 7 - 8pm
Venue: NSS Office, 510 Geylang Road, #02-05, The Sunflower, Singapore 389466
Cost: Member: $100, Non-member: $125
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

11 Dec (Sun): Nite Critter Watch at Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk

Join Cicada Tree Eco Place for this special kids' event. This location is very good for a wild night critter walk and that’s why we keep going back there. As dusk falls, we look out for emerging bats and observe their acrobatic feeding flight. Kids will get to use our bat detector to detect their calls. We explore deep into the mangrove forest via the extensive boardwalks to look for other nocturnal critters who live in the forest here, such as the Dog-faced Watersnake, Spotted Wood-owl and more than 5 species of cute geckoes. Tree-climbing crabs may be seen perched high above on branches, as if they're birds. Fireflies also live in this lovely mangrove forest patch. Though only seasonally numerous, we should meet some.
Families at Pasir Ris mangrove boardwalk
Other exciting nocturnal critters to meet here include the Reticulated Python, Mangrove Pit-viper, Palm Civet, Large-tailed Nightjar and Mangrove Flatworm. This easy walk is on level pathways and wooden boardwalks with no stairs. We will take a snack break at one of the shelters. If there is still light, we will first visit the herb and butterfly garden before heading deep into the dark swamp.
  • Remember to bring torchlight with batteries, poncho/raincoat/umbrella, refillable water bottle, herbal mosquito repellent (eg: Moz-Away “Natural” from Guardian Pharmacy).
  • Do have an early dinner before coming.
  • All participants must wear full-length long pants, long-sleeved cotton shirt, socks and fully covered shoes.
  • Your nocturnal nature guide is Andrew Tay

Registration: pls email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg with names of participants, kids' ages and your mobile no.

Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Venue: Pasir Ris Park Mangrove Boardwalk. Meet at 6.15pm outside the public toilet building at right side of Car Park ‘C’ at end of Pasir Ris Green Road which is off Pasir Ris Drive 3 Road.
Cost: $13 per adult or kid. Free for participants’ kids aged 5 yrs and below.

10 Dec (Sat): Paint Along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh

Conducted by Mr Tham Pui San, a volunteer of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Pui San is an avid artist who expresses his passion for nature through his art work. Bring along your art materials and enjoy learning different drawing techniques at Sungei Buloh.
More in the art in the wetlands blog.

Limited to 20 persons. Register online.

Time: 12noon - 1.30pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre. Meet at Api Api Lab (Kranji Way entrance)
Website: http://artinwetlands.wordpress.com/ and http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (Sat): Bird Watching along the Southern Ridges

Join us for this free birdwatching tour at the Southern Ridges, where up to 43 species of birds have been spotted so far. Volunteer guides from STMicroelectronics will take you through the Forest Walk and the Singing Forest in search of these beautiful birds. Do bring along a pair of binoculars or a camera with a zoom function for a better experience.

Maximum group size 40 persons.

More details and registration online.

The ‘Connecting with Nature’ programme features a series of educational activities in our parks where you and your family can learn and appreciate nature.

Time: 7.30am - 9.30am
Meeting Point: Mount Faber Park, Entrance of Henderson Waves
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of MacRitchie

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Macritchie Reservoir Park. 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 Macritchie, please join our free walk, led by experts from the Jane Goodall Institute Singapore.

Suitable for adults and children above 8 years.

Register at sg.monkey.walk@gmail.com, at least 3 days in advance. Do provide us with your preferred date, 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: 5pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Meet at Mushroom Cafe at Macritchie Reservoir Park. The walk will be at Macritchie Reservoir Park, Lawn @ Paddle Lodge
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (Sat): Rainforest Tour at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

A free guided nature walk through a 6-hectare 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.

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, Nassim Gate.
Tour duration: One hour.
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (Sat): Prawn and Fish Harvesting Demo at Sungei Buloh

Once again we bring you 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.
Please be at the Wetland Centre (Neo Tiew entrance), Information Counter by 9.30 am. You will be led by a guide to the demonstration site.

Limited to 30 persons. Registration required online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre. Meet at Information Counter (Neo Tiew Crescent)

10 Dec (Sat): Birdwatching 101 at Sungei Buloh

Migratory bird season is here again. Every year, thousands of birds escape the cold north to spend the winter months in the warmer southern parts of the earth. Singapore, especially Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, is a favourite stop-over for these birds.
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Want to know these birds but don't know how to get started? We are conducting a workshop for the novice. We will spend some time learning bird watching basics like
(1) Learning how to identify birds
(2) Learning how to use a pair of binoculars and the spotting scope to better see the details of birds
(3) Putting these skills into practice

No prior skill/knowledge is required. Come prepared in long sleeved tops and long pants (muted colours preferred). Bring along drinking water, pen and paper.

Limited to 10 participants (suitable for 16 years and above). Registration online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (Sat): What's in my sky?

Birdwatchers, join us in this free guided walk and learn to identify many amazing birds of different species that passes through or make Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve their home.

Limited to 20 persons. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre
Please meet at Information Counter, Neo Tiew entrance
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (Sat): I heART Nature Workshop for kids

This interactive free parent-child bonding session includes interesting art and craft activities and a short nature appreciation walk.
For children ages 5 to 7. Child must be accompanied by 1 parent. Maximum 10 children. Register online.

Time: 9am - 10.30am
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, BTNR Visitor Centre's Front Courtyard
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Dec (Sat): Wild Food Plant Walk at Bukit Brown Cemetery

Join Cicada Tree Eco Place for this special kids' event. Bukit Brown Cemetery is also a green oasis with all sorts of plants, from plants typically grown in cemeteries such as frangipani (the Pontianak flower!), to ornamental house plants, fruit trees, local herbs and spices, medicinal plants and wildflowers. We will gently walk on level paths to see what we can find growing on the waysides, and on graves, to sniff and taste.
Photo from All Things Bukit Brown.
Many edibles thrive here, such as tapioca, nangka, mani-chye and durian. Wild herbs and medicinals found here include curry, salam, Cupids’ Shaving Brush, dragon’s tail and noni. We get to know the poisonous plants too. Our bonus will be encounters with the wild critters who live there, so bring your binoculars. Please note that this walk is geared towards an adult audience but kids of participants may tag along to play in the dirt.
  • Bring poncho/raincoat/umbrella, fully filled refillable water bottle, hat and herbal mosquito repellent.
  • Please wear full-length long pants, long-sleeved cotton shirt, socks and fully covered shoes.
  • Your wild food foraging guide is Andrew Tay

Registration: pls email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg with names of participants, kids' ages and your mobile no.

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am
Venue: Bukit Brown Cemetery. We meet at 9.15am at the junction of Lornie Road and Sime Road, on the cemetery side opposite the golf course.
Cost: $13 per adult or kid. Free for participants’ kids aged 8 yrs and below.

10 Dec (Sat): Nite Critter Watch for kids at Singapore Botanic Garden

Join Cicada Tree Eco Place for this special kids' event. What critters go bump in the night? Where can we find them? SBG is a lush garden that is home to some of our smaller species of wildlife. We go looking for tadpoles in the well-planted ponds here which are nurseries for several species of frogs. Both insect and fruit-eating bats roost in the garden’s palm trees.
As dusk falls, kids can learn to use the bat detector to hear their echo-locating calls and observe how they capture their flying insect prey. The lovely Spotted Wood-owl, tiny Collared Scops-owl and loud Nightjar are night birds who live here. We will also be looking out for tinier night critters such as spiders, crickets and katydids.

This will be an easy walk on level paths.
  • Remember to bring torchlight with batteries, poncho/raincoat/umbrella, refillable water bottle, herbal mosquito repellent (eg: Moz-Away “Natural” from Guardian Pharmacy).
  • Do have an early dinner before coming.
  • Please wear full-length long pants, long-sleeved cotton shirt, socks and fully covered shoes.
  • Your nocturnal nature guide is Andrew Tay

Registration: pls email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg with names of participants, kids' ages and your mobile no.

Time: 6.45pm to 8.30pm.
Venue: Tanglin Gate Entrance of Singapore Botanic Garden (SBG). We meet at 6.30pm in the main lobby of the Botany Centre building of SBG entered via the garden’s Tanglin Gate entrance opposite Gleneagles Hospital at Napier Road. GENTLE REMINDER: DO NOT go to the nassim gate entrance visitor centre.
Cost: $13 per adult or kid. Free for participants’ kids aged 5 yrs and below.

8 Dec (Thu): Nature Keeper Camp for kids

Designed to stimulate the interest of the young and inculcate in them an appreciation of our forests. This one-day Nature Keeper Camp aims to nurture young minds in active protection and conservation of our natural heritage.

Suitable for children 7 - 11 years old (Primary 1 to 5)
Minimum of 12 children, maximum of 40 children.
Parents are to drop off their children and pick them back up after the programme is over.

More details and registration online.

Time: 9am - 5pm
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, BTNR Visitor Centre's Front Courtyard (Actual venue location will be shared in confirmation email one week prior to the camp).
Cost: $25 per child (includes all materials, tea breaks and lunch)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

7 Dec (Wed): Foliage Garden Tour (A guided tour for kids)

Join us for a guided tour of the Foliage Garden to learn about a wide array of ornamental plants boasting a colourful foliage of varying shapes and textures. Spot interesting plants that lend themselves to the beauty of nature as you stroll along the boardwalk.
Participants will learn that colours and diversity of plants do not rest solely on flowers!

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels. Register online.

For enquiry, please contact the SBG Education Branch at 64719961and 6465 0196 or through email: nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 10am - 11.30am
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Tour will be held at Foliage Garden.
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying adult. Please make the payment on the spot on the event date itself.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

6 Dec (Tue): “Grow With Nature” Drama for kids -- Slowcoach Sunflower

Through nature, we can learn and grow in character. The rich biodiversity in nature makes it a good teaching tool to develop children’s character through dramatization. Children will be encouraged to care for nature and to be aware of its biodiversity. Learn why you should think before you act in this workshop.
Suitable for children in K1 – P6 Levels.

Register online.

For enquiry, please contact the SBG Education Branch at 64719961 and 6465 0196 or through email: nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg.

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

28 Nov - 4 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family



Walks in wild places



Wild talks



For Nature Society (Singapore) members only



Go wild during the school holidays!

The December school holidays are here! Check out the highlights of exciting nature activities specially for kids!

And MORE fun school holiday activities to discover and enjoy.

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.

A tip for school holidays during weekends

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!

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

4 Dec (Sun): Birdwatching at Gardens by the Bay

for Nature Society (Singapore) members Only

Following its opening in 2011, Gardens by the Bay’s plentiful water features have proven attractive to both local and visiting birdlife. Sightings include winter visitors such as the Common Kingfisher and Black Bittern, as well as interesting residents like the Lesser Whistling Duck and Large-tailed Nightjar.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 7am
Venue: Meet at Satay by the Bay food court.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

3 Dec (Sat): "Grandma’s Pear Tree" - storytelling and tour for kids

Join us for a fun-filled session and learn more about a ball that gets stuck in Grandma’s pear tree and how everyone tries to help get it back.
This free session will provide children with the opportunity to explore nature together with a storytelling session by the Junior Reading Ambassadors and a general tour around the Singapore Botanic Gardens! This “Reading With Nature” Series is jointly organised by Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Library Board.

Suitable for children in K1 – P6. Registration online.

For enquiry, please contact the SBG Education Branch at 64719961 or through email: nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Ridley Hall
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

3 Dec (Sat): Young Naturalist Camp at Sungei Buloh

This one-day camp encompasses a series of fun-filled and educational indoor and outdoor learning of the wetlands and nature conservation issues through worksheets, nature walks and hands-on activities.
Suitable for children from 7 to 12 years. Limited to 40 children. More details and registration online.

Time: 8.30am- 3.30pm
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre. Meet at Information Counter (Neo Tiew Crescent entrance)
Cost: $5 registration fee and participants to purchase the Young Naturalist Passport at 50cents.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

3 Dec (Sat): What's in my mangrove?

Mangrove forests are living borders of the freshwater and salt water. Out of 73 true mangroves species worldwide, 22 can be found in Sungei Buloh.
Join this free morning walk and get to know the mangrove trees and plants of Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Visitor Centre. Please meet at the Information Counter, Kranji Way entrance
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

3 Dec (Sat): Free tour of the Healing Garden, Botanic Gardens

Launched in October 2011, the Healing Garden 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.
Please note that the Healing Garden is closed every Tuesday, and opened 5am - 7.30pm daily. Admission is free.

Registration is required 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre. Mandarin tours are only available at 10am. English tours are available for all slots. This tour repeats every First Saturday of the Month.

This walk is conducted every first Saturday of the month.

Time: 9am - 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, Nassim Gate
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

3 Dec (Sat): Fun with Nature and Culture at Jalan Kubor Cemetery

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Jalan Kubor Cemetery is the oldest Muslim cemetery in Singapore. Located at Jalan Kubor (loosely translated as ‘cemetery street’ in Malay), it is close to the intersection of Victoria Street with Jalan Sultan. The graves of many prominent Malays and Muslims from the 19th and 20th centuries can be found here. This peaceful area is also a refuge for garden birds and other wildlife. We will seek out one of the largest fig trees in Singapore, possibly the size of an entire apartment!

Open to all participants including those without children.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 8am - 10am
Venue: Jalan Kubor Cemetery
Cost: A fee of $2 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot for kids aged 4 to 12 years old.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

2 Dec (Fri): Talk on "Ecology & Conservation of Butterflies in Tropical Forests & Urban Landscapes"

Open to the Public

The future of Southeast Asian butterflies depends on how we manage populations in the region's transformed tropical landscapes. Join Dr Anuj Jain, former Chairperson of the Butterfly and Insect Group, as he looks at this concern based on his recently concluded doctoral work. Using Singapore as a model system, he will share i) how butterfly extinctions and discoveries in the last 25 years compare with historic times in Singapore, ii) the importance of different landscapes for common and rare butterflies, and iii) if butterflies are generalist or specialist nectar-feeders and the implications of feeding on non-native flowers.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 7pm - 8pm
Venue: NSS Office, 510 Geylang Road, #02-05, The Sunflower, Singapore 389466
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.