wild happenings in singapore: March 2018

31 Mar (Sat): What's in my sky?

This special walk will introduce participants to bird watching and the importance of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as a wetland for migratory birds, being a stopover point along the East Asian- Australasian Flyway. Guides will demonstrates how to identify shorebirds and also introduce other types of birds that can be spotted at the vicinity of the Reserve, including waterbirds and raptors.

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/

19-25 Mar: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

Make a wild difference

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

25 Mar (Sun): 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.

More details and registraion online.

Time: 8.30am - 11am
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 /

25 Mar (Sun): Horseshoe Crab Rescue and Research Programme

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Horseshoe crabs (HSC) are in decline globally due to habitat loss, poaching and over shing. They get trapped in abandoned nets and need our help to free them. NSS monitors our HSC population to ensure that they stay around for generations to come. Join us in this mission to rescue and study the HSC at Mandai Mudflats.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

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

25 Mar (Sun): Civic District Tree Trail

The FREE Civic District Tree Trail takes you through Singapore’s historic Civic District where you will be marveled by many majestic and interesting trees, some of which have stood tall for many generations and witnessed the transformation and progress of Singapore through the years. Join us as we take you through part of the trail starting from the entrance of Raffles Landing to CHIJMES.

More details and register online.

Time: 9am - 10.30am
Venue: Empress Place, Raffles Landing (white Raffles statue behind Asian Civilisations Museum).
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

24 Mar (Sat): Herp Walk @ Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

It’s March! And we’re excited to be bringing you another walk, where we march (pun intended) up Bukit Timah Hill! We’d love it if you could join us for this walk! Reptiles and amphibians are often thought of as scary or unnecessary. But in reality, herps are important and integral to the Singaporean ecosystem!

We want to show you more Herps! These misunderstood creatures are often thought of as scary or unnecessary. But in reality, these reptiles and amphibians are important and integral to the Singaporean ecosystem!

The walk is free but registration is required online.

Time: 8am - 11am
Venue: Successful registrants will be informed of the Meeting Point via email. More details on their blog.
Website: https://herpsocsg.wordpress.com/

24 Mar (Sat): Free Pasir Ris Mangrove boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs

Specially for kids and families, explore Pasir Ris mangroves with volunteer nature guides from the Naked Hermit Crabs on this FREEguided tour of the boardwalk!

Families on a guided tour at Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk

During our evening stroll through this interesting but often overlooked mangrove, 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. Map
Website and contact: http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/

24 Mar (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of Bukit Timah

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Bukit Timah. 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 Singapor e.

Suitable for adults and children above 8 years.

More details and registration online.

Time: 5pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, BTNR Visitor Centre's Front Courtyard, Visitor Centre Front Courtyard
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

24 Mar (Sat): Mangroves cum Coastal Clean-Up at Ubin

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Pulau Ubin is designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. In line with the Restore Ubin Mangroves (RUM) initiative, join us as we remove abandoned drift nets and marine debris that choke up Ubin’s coastline. This prepares the selected sites for scientific surveys and RUM works. It ensures that our wildlife have the proper environment to thrive.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 8.30am - 11am
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

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

24 Mar (Sat): Nature Appreciation Walk at Windsor Nature Park

Ideally situated at the perimeter of Central Catchment Nature Reserve, the 75-hectare Windsor Nature Park is the gateway to the rich biodiversity of the largest nature reserve in Singapore. The nature park was developed as a green buffer to help reduce visitorship pressures and man-made disturbances currently experienced by the nature reserve

Through this guided walk, you will gain a greater appreciation of Singapore’s rich natural heritage and the need to protect it for future generations. Come join us and discover the importance of Windsor Nature Park as a buffer to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

More details and registration online.

Time: 9.30am - 10.30am
Venue: Meet at Windsor Nature Park Pavilion
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

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

Join us for a morning guided walk around the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: Eagle Point

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: 9am - 10.30am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre. Please meet at the Information Counter, Kranji Way entrance
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

24 Mar (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.

Limited to 30 persons. Registration required online.

Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre. Meet at Information Counter (Neo Tiew Crescent)
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

24 Mar (Sat): What's in my mud?

The mud at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a key habitat for the plants and animals. This unique habitat is full of surprises!

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: Mud Experience

Get close and personal to the mud and observe the rich biodiversity; critical to the ecosystem at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Join us for an interesting free guided walk featuring our lesser known creatures of the mudflats in Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

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

24 Mar (Sat): Free Heritage Tree Tour at Sentosa Nature Discovery

Did you know Sentosa is home to more than 25 carefully-conserved heritage trees?

Come and join us for a FREE Nature Heritage Tree Tour happening every last Saturday of the month! Perfect for families who wants to spend quality time together and have fun learning!

Register and find out more by emailing nature@sentosa.com.sg

Time: 10am - 11am
Venue: Sentosa Nature Discovery, Imbiah Lookout
Website: https://www.sentosa.com.sg/State-Specials/Events/Free-Heritage-Tree-Tour-at-Sentosa-Nature-Discovery

24 Mar (Sat): Race Against Time - Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

This session introduces the research facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens such as the Library of Botany and Horticulture, Orchid and Micro-propagation laboratory and the Herbarium.

Highlights of this 45-minute tour includes a visit to the Herbarium which stores physical records of reference plant materials, some dating as far back as 1790. In addition, learn about our hybridization programme for orchids, a process introduced back in 1930’s by the then Director, R.E Holttum.

Limited to 25 people, for ages 9 and above.

This tour repeats every fourth Saturday. More details online.

Time: 10am, registration is required at the Service Desk 15-minutes before the scheduled start time.
Venue: Botany Centre, Tanglin Gate (nearest MRT is Orchard station)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

24 Mar (Sat): Learning Forest Tour

Join this FREE tour of The Learning Forest every Saturday which features a network of boardwalks and elevated walkways that allow visitors to explore habitats ranging from a freshwater forest wetland to a lowland rainforest.

isitors can learn about freshwater forest wetland ecosystems at the Keppel Discovery Wetlands and walk amongst a collection of some of the tallest tree species in Southeast Asia at the SPH Walk of Giants.

More details online.

Time: 9am - 10am
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Visitor Services at Tyersall Gate. Register 15 minute before session starts.
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

12-18 Mar: Highlights of the week ahead

Special event! 17-18 Mar: 'The Fun Odyssea' at Sentosa
For kids and families! This March school holidays, join Captain Patty Parrotfish and its supportive sidekick, Izzy Isopod, on their journey discovering treasures of the sea!

click on image for larger view

Admission into Sentosa is FREE from 10 - 18 March for ALL locals and local residents! For entry via Sentosa Express, tap your EZ-link card to enter while locally registered IU vehicles can just drive through!

MORE happenings for kids and the family

Walks in wild places

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.

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

17-18 Mar: 'The Fun Odyssea' at Sentosa

For kids and families! This March school holidays, join Captain Patty Parrotfish and its supportive sidekick, Izzy Isopod, on their journey discovering treasures of the sea!

click on image for larger view

Admission into Sentosa is FREE from 10 - 18 March for ALL locals and local residents! For entry via Sentosa Express, tap your EZ-link card to enter while locally registered IU vehicles can just drive through!

Here's the programme for the weekend!

click on image for larger view

The marine community comes together to present this explosion of fun!
- Live mural painting
- Film screening including Blue Planet II
- Arts and crafts workshops
- Meet marine scientists working in Singapore

In celebration of the Third International Year of the Reef, The Fun Odyssea is a two day, fun-filled, learning experience through hands-on activities, interactive booths, and movie screenings. This community initiative brings together various blue interest groups, as well as the marine research and conservation groups, where each group has curated different activities to showcase their work while engaging the public in the most fun manner!

Here’s a sneak peek of our partners’ fun-filled activities!

Storytelling and colouring with Cicada Tree Eco-Place
Marine clay modelling session with NUS Marine Scientists
Hand crafting of marine animals using recycled materials with Craft Lagoon
The Herpetological Society of Singapore will be showing you how to make reptile origami!
Meet your local marine scientists! They will be roving around the event for you to ask questions
Screening of the highly acclaimed documentary ‘Blue Planet II’ by BBC Earth to highlight the wonderful ocean habitats, but also the problems oceans face today
Join Rachel Quek, filmmaker and producer of 'Ubin, Sayang', for an in-depth conversation about her experiences working on Singapore’s last offshore kampung. The film follows Xiao Ting on her journey learning about mangrove restoration and the kampung spirit on our most charming island.
Live mural painting with Wu Yanrong, a Singapore Illustrator who paints marine animals

Date: 17 and 18 Mar 2018
Time: 10am - 6pm
Venue: Palawan Pirate Ship, Sentosa

SEA YOU there!

Like the Celebrating Singapore shores facebook page for updates!

This community event is a partnership by Our Singapore Reefs, Sentosa, and Celebrating Singapore Shores, in conjunction with the Third International Year of the Reef.

18 Mar (Sun): Waterways Watch Society Family Day Carnival 2018

Waterways Watch Society is holding their Annual Carnival in conjunction with World Water Day. Immerse yourself in FREE fun-filled environmental activities tailored just for you!

Sign up for the various activities here (tinyurl.com/waterwayscarnival2018) or simply scan the QR code on our poster. Activities are on a first come first served basis; a confirmation email will be sent one week before the carnival. If you did not manage to secure an activity slot, fret not! Check out their instagram and facebook page for more details leading up to the carnival.

For more information, email wwsmarcom1@gmail.com

Time: 9am - 2pm
Venue: Marina Promenade (Kallang Riverside Park)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/waterwayswatchsociety/
https://www.instagram.com/waterwayswatchsociety/

18 Mar (Sun): 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.

Wild boar crossing! Getting close to nature at the Chek Jawa Boardwalk

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

18 Mar (Sun): Exploring Butterflies at Jurong Eco-Garden

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

The 5-ha Jurong Eco-Garden (JEG) is the green lungs of Clean Tech Park, comprising a hill forest, an earth trail through secondary forest, freshwater swamp vegetation and a rocky stream. It also has a butterfly garden with nectar and host plants. On a good morning, many species can be seen including the Common Birdwing, Tailed Jay, Leopard, Blue Pansy, Grey Pansy, Great Eggfly and Orange Emigrant. In the secondary and hill forests, rarer species such as the Banded Swallowtail, Dark Tit, Fourline Blue and Ambon Onyx have been spotted.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Meet at JEG’s Butterfly Garden, next to the signage with butterfly pictures.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

17 Mar (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.

More information and registration online.

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

17 Mar (Sat): A walk with your neighbours: The macaques of Lower Peirce

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Lower Peirce 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 society.

If you would like to learn more about your community and the interesting world of your neighbouring macaques at Lower Peirce, please join our walk which is led by experts from the Jane Goodall Institute Singapore.

More details and registration online.

Time: 5pm - 6.30pm
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Mar (Sat): NSS Kids’ Fun with Raptors at Kent Ridge Park

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Migrant raptors such as eagles, honey buzzards, bazas and sparrowhawks pass through Singapore on the way back to their breeding grounds in the north. We stand a good chance of seeing them at Kent Ridge Park, a site regularly monitored by the Bird Group in its annual Raptor Watch. Join Auntie Ee Ling as she points out these birds of prey to us.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Kent Ridge Park
Cost: $2 per child (member) or $10 per child (non-member) will be collected on the spot.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

17 Mar (Sat): National Orchid Garden guided tour

Spend an hour with our volunteer guides as they introduce how orchids are the largest flowering group of plants in the world. Visit the collection of hybrids and species that in collection of the National Orchid Garden.

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 online.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (English) and 4pm (Mandarin). Register 15 minutes before the tour starts. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Visitor Services Desk at Nassim Gate
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 Mar (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 Mar (Sat): Ubin Rustic Reflections Tour

This tour takes approximately 2 hours. It starts at the Assembly Area before proceeding to the former Bin Kiang School site. You will then head over to the Sensory Trail pond to learn about the habitat restoration efforts before making stops at Pulau Ubin’s former headman’s house and Kampung Melayu.

Tour participants will also visit a rubber plantation that once supplied Singapore, and possibly the region, with latex, and learn more about the different plants that played a major role in shaping this country’s culinary delights at the Ubin Fruit Orchard before ending the tour at Teck Seng’s Place – a restored Chinese kampung house.

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

Limited to 2 groups, each group a maximum of 15 people. More details and registration 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 Mar (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.

17 Mar (Sat): Nature Sketching in the Gardens with Pui San

Enjoy nature creatively through this engaging, fun and therapeutic activity. Join our volunteer artist, Mr Tham Pui San, as he teaches and guides you in acquiring drawing and observation skills to equip you for an interesting journey of nature appreciation.

This event is held every third Saturday of every alternate month

More details and registration online.

Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/

17 Mar (Sat): Ecolife Tour at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

This family tour introduces Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and its biodiversity through the use of interactive exploration themes and activities. Have fun working together to answer worksheets, conduct surveys and photo hunts, among other activities.

More details and registration online.

Time: 9am -11am
Meeting point: Bishan- Ang Mo Kio Park Promenade
Contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

16 Mar (Fri): 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/

16 Mar (Fri): Nite Critter Watch at Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk

This location is very good for a wild night critter walk and that’s why we keep going back there. As dusk falls, we will go to a nearby location to await the possible appearance of a family of Buffy Fish-owls living in the woodland habitat here. While there, we also look out for emerging bats and observe their acrobatic feeding flight. Kids will get to use our bat detector to catch their calls. We then head off to explore deep into the mangrove forest via the extensive boardwalks to look for other nocturnal critters who live in the swamp, 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. Other exciting nocturnal critters met here include the Reticulated Python, Palm Civet and Mangrove Flatworm. We should also meet some sleeping daytime animals, such as the Giant Mudskipper and Oriental Whip Snake.

This easy walk is on level pathways and wooden boardwalks with no stairs. We will take a snack break at one of the shelters.

All kids must be accompanied by at least 1 adult guardian. Kids get info-sheets and native wildlife stickers.

More details and tickets on the facebook events page

Time: 6.15pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Pasir Ris Park Mangrove Boardwalk
We meet at 6.15pm outside the public toilet building at right corner of Car Park ‘C’ at end of Pasir Ris Green road which is off Pasir Ris Drive 3 Road.
Address: No.51 Pasir Ris Green, Singapore 518226.
Cost: $13 per participant (adult or child). Free for children aged 6 years and below. Payment in cash or cheque will be collected in person at the activity. Cheque to be made payable to: ‘Cicada Tree Eco-Place’

16 Mar (Fri): 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.
Cost: $25 per child. Includes all materials, tea breaks and lunch. Charges subsidized by Mitsubishi Corporation.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

14 Mar (Wed): Nite Wild Critter Watch at Singapore Botanic Garden

Join Cicada Tree Eco Place at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG), a lovely old garden created almost 200 years ago. It still retains its original primary rainforest patch. Although now totally surrounded by housing, busy roads and more development, this lush garden is still home to our smaller species of wildlife. The well-vegetated ponds here are nurseries for several species of frogs, and both insect and fruit eating bats roost in the garden’s palm trees.

As dusk falls, kids learn to use our bat detector to hear their echo-locating calls. The lovely Spotted Wood-owl, Buffy Fish-owl and tinier Collared Scops-owl all live here. We then walk the easy pathways to visit the ponds and other corners of the garden to meet other nite critters who live here such as the Four-lined Treefrog and Large-tailed Nightjar, plus maybe also encounter sleeping snakes and monitor lizards! We will end our walk back at our starting point in the lobby of Botany Centre.

This easy walk is on level pathways and wooden boardwalks with no stairs.

All kids must be accompanied by at least 1 adult guardian. Kids get info-sheets and native wildlife stickers.

More details and tickets on the facebook events page

Time: 6.15pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Tanglin Gate entrance of Singapore Botanic Garden (SBG)
We meet at 6.15pm in the main lobby (outside the souvenir shop) of the Botany Centre building of SBG entered via the garden’s Tanglin Gate entrance opposite Gleneagles Hospital at Napier Road.
PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT GO TO THE NASSIM GATE ENTRANCE VISITOR CENTRE at Nassim Road.
Address: No.1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Cost: $13 per participant (adult or child). Free for children aged 6 years and below. Payment in cash or cheque will be collected in person at the activity. Cheque to be made payable to: ‘Cicada Tree Eco-Place’

14 Mar (Wed): Day Wild Critter Watch at Singapore Botanic Garden (SBG)

Join Cicada Tree Eco Place at Singapore’s lovely old garden, a very ‘civilised’ place to start with to get to know your wild side. The level paths and boardwalks here encourage young children, and those adults ‘icky’ about forest and bugs to come outdoors to explore and sense the natural world around us.

This tame experience, we hope, will lead them to step into our rainforests, mangroves and other wilder habitats that still exist on our island, and which are homes to an incredible, glorious biodiversity. In SBG, you can easily observe a good diversity of our native wildlife that have adapted to parkland conditions. Here lives Flying Draco, 2 species of monitor lizards, 2 species of squirrels, frogs, toads, and many kinds of birds and insects. The Hill Myna, a globally endangered species, makes its nests in the tall trees here. Singapore’s unofficial National Bird, the Crimson Sunbird, can be seen in this garden.

The mature grove of Dipterocarps (giant native rainforest trees) by the marsh garden, are awesome living things to just look and wonder at. If you love ‘pow-pow cha’, we’ll show you the ancient Sago tree which provides the crucial ingredient for this drink. Don’t be infected with NDS (Nature Deficit Syndrome), heal yourself by coming out and enjoying Nature!

This easy walk is on level pathways with no stairs.

All kids must be accompanied by at least 1 adult guardian. Kids get info-sheets and native wildlife stickers.

More details and tickets on the facebook events page

Time: 9.30am - 11.30am
Venue: Tanglin Gate entrance of Singapore Botanic Garden (SBG)
We meet at 9.30am in the main lobby (outside the souvenir shop) of the Botany Centre building of SBG entered via the garden’s Tanglin Gate entrance opposite Gleneagles Hospital at Napier Road.
PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT GO TO THE NASSIM GATE ENTRANCE VISITOR CENTRE at Nassim Road.
Address: No.1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Cost: $13 per participant (adult or child). Free for children aged 6 years and below. Payment in cash or cheque will be collected in person at the activity. Cheque to be made payable to: ‘Cicada Tree Eco-Place’

13 Mar (Tue): Wild Critter Watch at Windsor’s Rainforest Trails

Join Cicada Tree Eco Place at this recently opened park is connected to the rainforest of our Central Catchment Nature Reserve, with 2 new trails to explore. The Squirrel Trail is a boardwalk and dirt track through freshwater swamp habitat featuring Tree Pandans, kampong plants and fruit trees where we can meet the Golden-backside Ant, Golden Web Spider and White-handed Fly.

The Drongo Trail is an elevated low canopy walkway where we should meet squirrels and tree-climbing Clouded Monitor lizards at their eye level. A lovely natural forest stream runs through the forest here, rippling with native freshwater fishes such as the Aruan snakehead, Pygmy Halfbeak, Elegant Rasbora and Saddleback Barb. This stream also hosts an incredible number of glittering dragonflies and damselflies, our natural mosquito-control brigade. Close-up observation, with a magnifying glass, of the Treehugger dragonfly, male and female, is definite.

Plus….the water-loving Gold-ringed Catsnake has been spotted here multiple times already! This is a good location to spot a roosting Colugo, which is not an easy animal to spot in the other countries in its range. The variety of wild habitats here are homes to an amazing diversity of wildlife, and it is only 15 mins away from Orchard Road.

This easy walk goes on an uneven rock path, dirt trail, and wooden boardwalks with some stairs.

All kids must be accompanied by at least 1 adult guardian. Kids get info-sheets and native wildlife stickers in our kids’ activities.

More details and tickets on the facebook events page

Time: 9.30am - 11.30am
Venue: Windsor Nature Park & Central Catchment Nature Reserve
We meet at 9.30am at the public toilet block of Windsor Nature Park’s visitor pavilion which is beside the Venus Drive car park.
Address: No.30, Venus Drive, Singapore 573858
Cost: $13 per participant (adult or child). Free for children aged 6 years and below. Payment in cash or cheque will be collected in person at the activity. Cheque to be made payable to: ‘Cicada Tree Eco-Place’

13 Mar (Tue): Nature Keeper Camp for kids

12-15 Mar: Fun for a Cause at ACRES

Visit the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre and make a difference while having fun! Enjoy a host of activities suitable for ages up to 13.

Children aged 6 and below must be accompanied by parents.

$20 School Holiday Specials includes:

guided tour at our wildlife sanctuary
one face paint, and
one Do-It-Yourself card-making session

Activities to enjoy

Storytelling: free
Puzzle games: free
Wildlife video screening: free schedule
Colouring: free
Face painting: $5 per design
Do-It-Yourself card-making session: $5
Guided tour at the ACRES wildlife sanctuary: $10

For more details, contact Education Executive, Sumita at sumita@acres.org.sg

All proceeds will fund our animal protection programmes.

Time: 10am - 1pm
Cost: $20
Venue: ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) 91 Jalan Lekar, Singapore 698917
Website: http://acres.org.sg/

5-11 Mar: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

Wild talk

10 Mar (Sat): Free talk on Kids well-being and natural curiosity

Next week, even more fun!

Mark your calendar to come for 17-18 Mar: 'The Fun Odyssea' at Sentosa For kids and families, join Captain Patty Parrotfish and its supportive sidekick, Izzy Isopod, on their journey discovering treasures of the sea! Film screening including Blue Planet II, arts and crafts, live mural painting and more!

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.

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

11 Mar (Sun): Woodlands Family Day

Have a fun-filled Sunday on 11 Mar 2018 and bond with your family at Woodlands Family Day at Admiralty Park.

Take part in the Family Play Challenge and stand a chance to win an attractive sports bag, or join us for a nature walk from the Pavilion to Admiralty Park Playground at 9.30am!

More details.

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Admiralty Park, Activity Plaza
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Mar (Sat): Rain Forest Tour at the Singapore Botanic Gardens

Discover the enchantment of our tropical rain forest with our volunteer guides in this one-hour tour.

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

This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NPark's Singapore Botanic Gardens and is held every second Saturday of the month. More details online.

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 Mar (Sat): Trees of the Fort

Did you know that a Kapok tree can grow up to 40 metres high? Let our nature-loving guides bring you on a journey to find out more about our heritage trees and other beautiful trees like the towering Kapok, flaky Gelam and magnificent Madras Thorn!

More details and registration online.

Time: 10am - 11.30am
Venue: Meeting Point, Roundabout, between Fort Canning Art Center and Hotel Fort Canning.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Mar (Sat): 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/

10-18 Mar: "Our Home, Their Home” at Seletar Mall

Learn about Singapore’s marine biodiversity through interactive exhibits and games!

From NParks facebook event post.

#Didyouknow about the natural “concert” in our seas? Many marine animals like dolphins use sounds to communicate underwater, and these “songs of the sea” will be showcased very soon at our upcoming exhibition!

Discover Singapore’s amazing marine biodiversity by observing specimens of octopuses, corals and other fascinating animals. You’ll get to learn about threats they face through exciting child-friendly games stations with an inflatable slide and human claw machine! Also, create your own marine critters at our arts and crafts workshops on weekends! See you there!

The Seletar Mall and Friends of Marine Park are holding this marine exhibition “Our Home, Their Home” as part of NParks' International Year of the Reef celebrations.

More details on the NParks facebook event post.

Date: 10-18 Mar
Time: 10am - 10pm
Venue: Seletar Mall
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg

10 Mar (Sat): Free talk on Kids well-being and natural curiosity

Do you miss your childhood days playing at the beach? Remember being excited by sea waves and being curious about seashells and tiny sand creatures? Do you recall splashing happily into ponds, wondering about darting dragonflies and stream fishes?

This talk by Cicada Tree Eco Place will help you to heighten your child's natural sense of curiosity about nature and the outdoors. Time in nature is an essential ingredient, not just leisure time. It’s an essential investment in our children’s health.

There is growing evidence that children are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. Research findings indicate children miss opportunities to enhance their health and well-being when they lack direct contact with nature, and to develop responsible long-term environmental behaviour.

The talk is held in conjunction with Sports Hub Community Play Day - "Water Festival 2018". Talk is also held in celebration of Singapore World Water Day (SWWD) 2018 and International Year of The Reef (IYOR) 2018.

Attend the talk and visit our booth to find out more about coastal walks and family nature camps at St John's Island and Pulau Ubin conducted by Cicada Tree Eco-Place (CTEP), an environmental education NGO (Singapore, 2007).

Time: 10am - 11am
Venue: Singapore Sports Hub
Weblink: https://www.facebook.com/events/1816730725025759/

10 Mar (Sat): Malay guided tour at Sungei Buloh

Join us for this FREE guided walk around the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

This guided walk is suitable for everyone, including families with children.

More details and registration online.

Time: 9am - 10.30am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre. Please meet at the Information Counter, Kranji Way entrance
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Mar (Sat): Marine Open House at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum

Visit Singapore's very own natural history museum during their Open House. With guided tours and talks by experts on marine science. Join the treasure hunt and photo contest and win prizes!

Check out the awesome “Christmas Island RED” exhibition and learn more about the sperm whale that washed up at Jurong.

Talks include “Wet and Wild: Marine biodiversity expeditions” by Dr. J.C.E. Mendoza, sharing about marine biodiversity expeditions in Southeast Asia.

Also hear about “Corals as natural archives of the past!” by Dr. Jani Tanzil, sharing about corals and her work at Singapore's St. John’s Island National Marine Laboratory (TMSI, NUS).

More details on the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum facebook page.

Date: 10 Mar (Sat)
Time: 10am - 5pm
Venue: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
Website: https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/

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