22-28 Jul: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Jurong Lake Gardens - Ant Play

Walks in wild places

• What's in my mangroves?
• Learning Forest Tour
• Nature Appreciation Walk at Windsor Nature Park
• Paint Along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh
• Istana Nature Guided Walk

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Ramble "Sustainability" at MacRitchie Reservoir

More activities next week

28 Jul (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 registration on the NParks website.

Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Information Counter, Wetland Centre
Website: http://artinwetlands.wordpress.com/ and http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

28 Jul (Sun): Istana Nature Guided Walk

Sign up for the Nature Guided Walk during the Istana Open House. This guided walk is a collaboration between the President’s Office and the National Parks Board (NParks), which will showcase the Istana’s flora, fauna and biodiversity.

The guided walk starts from 10am to 4pm, and is conducted hourly. Please look out for signs on the Istana grounds to find out where you can register for the guided walk.

More details about the Istana Open House on the NParks website and the Istana website.

Time: 10am to 4pm every hour.
Cost: $2.00 each child aged 4 years & above.
$4 Singaporeans/PRs aged 13 and above.
$10.00 foreigners (aged 13 & above).
Family package, $12.00 for Singaporeans / PRs (family of 4) and $30.00 for foreigners (family of 4).
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

27 Jul (Sat): Ramble "Sustainability" at MacRitchie Reservoir

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Completed in 1868, MacRitchie Reservoir is Singapore’s oldest reservoir. Despite parts of the surrounding forest being converted into plantation in the past, more than one square kilometre of primary forest is still standing in Central Catchment Nature Reserve today, particularly around Macritchie Reservoir. Forest trees, remnants of the plantations from the 20th century, can still be seen along the fringes of the reservoir. The Ant plant (Macaranga bancana.) and pitcher plants are common in the area. Join Pandian for a scenic ramble through this beautiful forest. The walk will end at Bukit Timah Visitor Centre.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 8am - 2pm
Venue: Meet at MacRitchie Reservoir
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

27 Jul (Sat): Jurong Lake Gardens - Ant Play

Build your fortress, have fun interacting with new friends made as children learn how ants build homes as they get the opportunity to mimic ants and play with huge blocks bigger than regular blocks.

Suitable for children from 3- 12 years old.

More details on the NParks website.

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Jurong Lake Gardens, Lakeside Garden, Forest Ramble - Play Pavilion

27 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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

27 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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

27 Jul (Sat): What's in my mangroves?

Join us for a FREE guided walk of this unique mangrove wetlands located at the border of freshwater (river) and salt water (sea). Singapore used to have large areas of mangroves, but lost most of them to coastal development. Few mangroves are left in Singapore, one of which is at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

Join this free morning walk and get to know the mangrove trees and plants of Sungei Buloh.

More details and registration on the NParks website

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/

15-21 Jul: Highlights of the week ahead

Walks in wild places

• What's in my mud?
• Croc Talk at Sungei Buloh
• Kampong Tour at Pulau Ubin
• Ubin Rustic Reflections Tour
• Biodiversity Guided Walk at Jurong Lake Gardens
• National Orchid Garden guided tour
• Nature Sketching in the Gardens with Pui San
• Nature Appreciation Walk at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Make a wild difference

• Mangrove cum Coastal Clean-Up at Ubin
• Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Programme

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only



Dragonfly Walk at Toa Payoh Town Park

More activities next week

21 Jul (Sun): Mangrove 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: 2.30pm - 5.30pm
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 Jul (Sun): Horseshoe Crab Rescue & Research Programme

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Horseshoe Crabs (HSC) are in decline globally due to habitat loss, poaching and overfishing. Nature Society (Singapore) aims to continually monitor our local HSC population to ensure that they stay around for generations to come. If you want to be a part of this important mission to rescue and study the HSC at Kranji Mudflats, please register at the link below.

More details and registration on the Nature Society (Singapore) website.

Time: 7.45am - 10am
Venue: Kranji mudflats.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 Jul (sun): Croc Talk at Sungei Buloh

Learn all about the Estuarine Crocodiles that bask in the Reserve with Bernard, an SBWR volunteer with a keen interest in our reptilian friend!

Do drop by to have a chat with Bernard and learn fascinating information about the crocodiles – such as their characteristics and behaviour, and observe them as they go about their daily business.

Registration not required.

More details on the NParks website.

Time: 9am - 11am
Place: Main Bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre (Neo Tiew Entrance)

20 Jul (Sat): Biodiversity Guided Walk at Jurong Lake Gardens

Treat your senses to a beautiful morning amidst greenery!

Come join us for a morning stroll in the gardens. Join this free guided walk to appreciate the animals, plants and trees around Jurong Lake Gardens and take in the sights and sounds of the garden.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

Time: 8.30am - 10.30am
Venue: Jurong Lake Gardens, Leaf Shelter (South Carpark & The Oval)
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

20 Jul (Sat): Dragonfly Walk at Toa Payoh Town Park

For Nature Society (Singapore) Members Only

Join Lena Chow to discover and admire the beautiful dragonflies of Toa Payoh Town Park. Some of the many species found there include Trumpet Tails, Scarlet Adjutants, Common Amberwings, Blue Dashers, Common Scarlets, Scarlet Baskers, Common Parasols, Common Bluetails and many more.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 10.30am - 11.30am
Venue: Meet at side of the park next to the swimming complex
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

20 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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/`

20 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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/

20 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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/

20 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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

20 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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

20 Jul (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!

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.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

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

8-14 Jul: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Free guided walk at Chek Jawa Boardwalk
• NSS Kids' Fun with Butterflies at Ubin Butterfly Hill
• Jurong Lake Gardens - Ant Play

Walks in wild places

• What's in my water?
• Rain Forest Tour at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
• Learning Forest Tour
• Evening Chorus at Kranji Marshes

More activities next week

14 Jul (Sun): NSS Kids' Fun with Butterflies at Ubin Butterfly Hill

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Butterfly Hill at Pulau Ubin boasts over 50 species of butterfly-attracting plants, and was created to conserve and showcase many species of local butterflies, including about 140 species that have been recorded there so far. Join Auntie Lena Chow as we explore the hill and its surrounding area to admire these painted wings. We hope to see uncommon and rare species, such as Singapore's National Butterfly, the Common Rose, as well as the Common Birdwing, Dwarf Crow, Black-veined Tiger and Angled Castor, as well as common and widespread ones like the Peacock Pansy, Leopard, Dark & Blue Glassy Tigers and Lemon, Orange & Mottled Emigrants.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 8am - 10am
Venue: Meet at 8am at the jetty on Pulau Ubin.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

13 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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/

13 Jul (Sat): Free guided walk at Chek Jawa Boardwalk

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, please register here.

More details 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

13 Jul (Sat): Evening Chorus at Kranji Marshes

Join this free walk for an introduction to the unique nature area and the species which are living in its marsh, woodland and grass habitats.

The walk will also guide participants through the core conservation area, which is not usually opened to the public, as it is ecologically sensitive. Led by NParks volunteers The approximately 3 km guided walk will take visitors on a two-hour journey.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

Time: 4.30pm - 6.30pm
Meeting point: Kranji Gate, 11 Neo Tiew Lane 2
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

13 Jul (Sat): Jurong Lake Gardens - Ant Play

Build your fortress, have fun interacting with new friends made as children learn how ants build homes as they get the opportunity to mimic ants and play with huge blocks bigger than regular blocks.

Suitable for children from 3- 12 years old.

More details on the NParks website.

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Jurong Lake Gardens, Lakeside Garden, Forest Ramble - Play Pavilion

13 Jul (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 on the NParks website.

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

13 Jul (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.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

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/

1-7 Jul: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Storytime with Sara - storytelling and guided tour for kids

Walks in wild places

• What's in my mud?
• Healing Garden Tour
• Biodiversity Guided Walk at Jurong Lake Gardens

Wild talk

• A World Without Functional Mangroves? Public Forum

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Butterfly Walk at Alexandra Woodlands Bordering Green Corridor

MORE events next week

7 Jul (Sun): Butterfly Walk at Alexandra Woodlands Bordering Green Corridor

For Nature Society (Singapore) Members Only

Just behind the old Alexandra Hospital and alongside the former railway line (today known as the Green Corridor), there is a charming area of woodlands, interspersed with old black and white houses, where various species of butterflies can be found. Recent sightings included Common Rose and Common Birdwing, two of our beautiful butterflies at risk (vulnerable status), and others like Tailed Jay, Jacinta Eggfly, Malayan, Plain Banded Awl, Smooth-eyed Bush Brown, Centaur Oakblue.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 9.30am-11.30am
Venue: Meet at the start of Jalan Hang Jebat, off Portsdown Ave, at 9.30am.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

6 Jul (Sat): Storytime with Sara - storytelling and guided tour for kids

Storytime with Sara @ Heritage Core: Sara Goes Back in Time (A Storytelling and Guided Tour)

Sara, the Botanicosaurus, discovers a treasure chest of precious photos and items left behind by her grandmother, Nana. Each of these artefacts tells a story of the wonderful plants and people that have contributed to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Join her as she explores the Gardens and uncovers its rich heritage! Participants will go on a guided tour of the Heritage Museum and Heritage Core of the Gardens.

Suitable for children in P1 – P6.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

Time: 10am - 11am
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Botany Centre, Classroom 1 & 2 (Level 3)
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying adult
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

6 Jul (Sat): Biodiversity Guided Walk at Jurong Lake Gardens

Treat your senses to a beautiful morning amidst greenery!

Come join us for a morning stroll in the gardens. Join this free guided walk to appreciate the animals, plants and trees around Jurong Lake Gardens and take in the sights and sounds of the garden.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

Time: 8.30am - 10.30am
Venue: Jurong Lake Gardens, Leaf Shelter (South Carpark & The Oval)
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

6 Jul (Sat): A World Without Functional Mangroves? Public Forum

Join a team of experts for a mangrove-filled morning! Hosted by Dr. Zeehan Jaafar, the programme starts with a talk by Professor Joe Lee who will share the importance of mangrove forests to the well-being of people. This talk will discuss key issues in global and regional conservation of mangroves, such as threats they face and on-going potential restorative efforts.

Admission is FREE. Register at https://tiny.cc/mangrove_public_forum. All are welcome.

A panel discussion follows this talk, and the audience are encouraged to pose questions on relevant mangrove-related issues. Panel members include Prof. Joe Lee (Chinese University Hong Kong), Dr. Siew Chin Chua (NUS), Dr. Stefano Cannicci (University of Hong Kong), and Mr. Muljadi Tantra (Green Forest Product & Tech Pte) who are experts in mangrove ecology, conservation and management.

Programme
1100hrs - Welcome Address
1110hrs - Talk: Professor Joe SY Lee.
1145hrs - Panel Discussion: Prof. Joe SY Lee, Dr. Siew Chin Chua, Dr. Steffano Cannicci, Mr. Muljadi Tantra
1215hrs - Closing Address

As part of the Mangrove, Macrobenthos & Management Conference 2019, the Organisers are holding a public forum on 'A World Without Functional Mangroves?'

More about the upcoming conference here: https://www.mmm5singapore.com/

6 Jul (Sat): Healing Garden Tour

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.

This walk is conducted every first Saturday of the month. More details on the NParks website.

Time: Two sessions are available (9am and 10am). Mandarin tours are only available at 10am, where English tours are available for all slots.
Venue: Please register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Nassim Gate
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

6 Jul (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!

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.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

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