23-29 Sep: Highlights of the week ahead


Walks in wild places




More activities next week

These updates will be discontinued

I am planning to discontinue these wildsingapore happenings updates at the end of October.

It's been more than a decade of weekly updates, I would like to have a rest.

It's now easy to build your own news feed, and to gather the info you need from social media.

Besides, I sense that very few people really read the updates...

For a comprehensive list of environmental activities, check out the Lepak in SG blog or facebook page.

Ria
hello@wildsingapore.com

29 Sep (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)

28 Sep (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/

28 Sep (Sat): Fun walk along the Southern Ridges

Take your family on this FREE 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 on the NParks website.

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/

28 Sep (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.
Common greenshanks (Tringa nebularia)
Limited to 20 persons.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

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/

28 Sep (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/

28 Sep (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.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

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

16-22 Sep: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

More activities next week

These updates will be discontinued

I am planning to discontinue these wildsingapore happenings updates at the end of October.

It's been more than a decade of weekly updates, I would like to have a rest.

It's now easy to build your own news feed, and to gather the info you need from social media.

Besides, I sense that very few people really read the updates...

For a comprehensive list of environmental activities, check out the Lepak in SG blog or facebook page.

Ria
hello@wildsingapore.com

21 Sep (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/`

21 Sep (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/

21 Sep (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/

21 Sep (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/

21 Sep (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/

21 Sep (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/

21 Sep (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.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: Mangrove boardwalk
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/

21 Sep (Sat): Coco the Colugo

Through the eyes of Coco the Malayan Colugo, children will embark on a nature adventure, learning about Coco (the Malayan Colugo) and his friends, and about the plants that are useful to both Man and animals which can be found in the forest. They will complete a series of embossing stations during the nature walk as well, and see where their discovery takes them.
This programme is opened only to children between 5 to 8 years old (accompanied by a parent/guardian). They will be given a creative and colourful nature journal, crayons and a beautifully decorated sling bag to take back home after the programme is over.

“Coco and Friends” is a new programme by National Parks Board and HSBC Singapore aiming to promote more understanding and awareness of some of our native biodiversity found in our forests.

More details and registration on the NParks website. Confirmation email will be sent around 1 week prior to the event.

Time: 10.30am – 12pm
Cost: $10 per child (includes Nature Journal, crayons, sling bag)
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (the walk will be around the Exhibition Hall and Hindhede Nature Park)
Group Size: Maximum of 15 children (can be accompanied by 1 parent per child)
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

9-15 Sep: Highlights of the week ahead



For kids and the family


Walks in wild places


For Nature Society (Singapore) members only


School holidays this week! Check out the highlights of exciting nature activities specially for kids!
And MORE fun school holiday activities to discover and enjoy. Why not explore our wild places free-and-easy? Great destinations include Pulau Ubin and a wide range of seashores, mangroves and forest destinations. Download NParks' DIY guides to explore some parks and nature places on your own.

Our wild places and parks can get crowded during school holiday 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

15 Sep (Sun): Birdwatching at Bukit Brown

For Nature Society (Singapore) Members Only

Time to pay another visit to Bukit Brown Cemetery after the completion of the Lornie Highway. We will explore Bukit Brown for its birds. Sections of this historical corner of Singapore was closed off for road construction, but there are still undisturbed areas for birding. Expect to see a mix of parkland, open country and forest (given the proximity to the Central Catchment Nature Reserve) birds such as bulbuls, doves, babblers, flowerpeckers, parakeets, sunbirds and woodpeckers.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 7.30am to 11am
Venue: Meet at 7.30 am at the access to Block 2, 5 (150m after Sime Road and 200m before merging into Northbound Lornie Highway). More details on the NSS website.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

14 Sep (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/

14 Sep (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/

14 Sep (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/

14 Sep (Sat): Ecolife Tour at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

This FREE 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 on the NParks website.

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

14 Sep (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.
Common greenshanks (Tringa nebularia)
Limited to 20 persons.

More details and registration on the NParks website.

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/

14 Sep (Sat): 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 on the NParks website.

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: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

10 Sep (Tue): 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 on the NParks website.

Time: 9am - 3pm
Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Cost: $25 per child (including halal lunch, afternoon tea-break and all craft materials)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

2-8 Sep: Highlights of the week ahead


For kids and the family



Walks in wild places



Make a wild difference



Early next week



School holidays begins this weekend! Check out the highlights of exciting nature activities specially for kids!
And MORE fun school holiday activities to discover and enjoy. Why not explore our wild places free-and-easy? Great destinations include Pulau Ubin and a wide range of seashores, mangroves and forest destinations. Download NParks' DIY guides to explore some parks and nature places on your own.

Our wild places and parks can get crowded during school holiday 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

8 Sep (Sun): 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.
Wild boar crossing! Getting close to nature at the Chek Jawa Boardwalk

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

7 Sep (Sat): West Marsh Visit with the 'Kranji Marshals'

The West Marsh, within the Core Conservation Area of Kranji Marshes, is a special area designated for the conservation of marsh birds. To minimise disturbances to these shy animals and other wildlife, access to this section is restricted to guided activities organised by NParks and its partners. Several times a year, visitors can access this section when NParks volunteers (the 'Kranji Marshals') conduct station-guiding. They will be stationed at the hides and strategic locations to help you appreciate the beauty of the marsh habitat.
A loop around West Marsh is about 1.2 km and takes about 20 minutes to complete. This includes about 400 m of narrow and uneven rocky path, which is not recommended for young children without supervision. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes, and exercise caution when walking on this path.

Registration not required.

More details on the NParks website.

Time: 7.30am to 11.00am
Venue: You can enter and exit the West Marsh from the gate near Moorhen Blind
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg

7 Sep (Sat): Ecolife Tour at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

This FREE 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 on the NParks website.

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

7 Sep (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.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: Mangrove boardwalk
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/

7 Sep (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/

7 Sep (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 on the NParks website.

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/

7 Sep (Sat): Project IsLand-A-Hand - Coney Island

Love the environment, keen to explore the wilderness of Coney, and want to make a difference? Join the volunteers of Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) for Project IsLand-A-Hand (PIAH) on 7 Sept 2019 as they lend a hand to protect our environment!
What's new this time? Look forward to interesting learning journeys - join guided nature trails and butterfly surveys at Coney Island. Come meet some of Singapore's environment advocates and learn what YOU can do to protect the environment.

FREE, sign up now at: https://tinyurl.com/OBSPIAHSept-19

Time: 8am - 3pm
Venue: OBS Reception and Activity Centre

7-15 Sep (Sat): Sunset Walk at Jurong Lake Gardens

Join our evening saunters at the Jurong Lake Gardens this Mid-Autumn Festival. Happening daily from 7 to 15 September, be enthralled by our guides who will be sharing fun facts and stories of the plants and animals in the garden. Capture mesmerising sunset moments and watch our life-sized lanterns come alive in their splendid display of colours.
Soak in the festivities and bring your own lanterns* when you join us for our sunset walk around the gardens!
* Battery-operated lanterns only. Candle lanterns are not allowed in the Gardens.

For Adults and children 4 years old and above. More details and registration on the NParks website.

Dates: 7-15 Sep
Time: 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Venue: Jurong Lake Gardens, Entrance Pavilion
Website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/

26 Aug - 1 Sep: Highlights of the week ahead



Walks in wild places

More activities next week

1 Sep (Sun): St John's Island Trail Guided Walk

This free 90-minute guided tour (capped at 45 participants) will be held on the first Sunday of every month. NParks volunteers will introduce you to the key features along the St John’s Island Trail.
This land-based trail covers a distance of 1.6km. The tour does NOT go down to the seashore.

More details and registration on the NParks website. You can sign up for the waitlist if registration is full.

Time: 10am - 11.30am
Venue: All participants have to take their own transport to and from the island. The meeting point will be at the end of the jetty on St John's Island. You may purchase your own ferry ticket (round trip) at Marina South Pier and take the 9am public ferry to St John’s Island.
Website: NParks Sisters Islands Marine Park