27 Dec (Sat): Race Against Time – Science behind a Botanic Garden Tour

Join this free one-hour tour by the Botanic Gardens staff to learn more about the Gardens’ research work.

Come and explore the hub of the Gardens' research facilities at the Singapore Botanic Gardens to learn about botanical research. Find out about the urgency of plant exploration, collection and scientific documentation as species and habitats continue to be lost in the region. Visit the Orchid Micro-propagation and hybridisation display and find out how new hybrids are produced. You can also enter the restricted domain of the Herbarium and Library to learn about the valuable historical treasures they hold for science and posterity.

Registration 15 minutes before the tour starts, and is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Green Pavilion, Botany Centre. Limited to 20 participants.

Time: 10-11am
Meeting point: Green Pavilion, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: 64717361 / 64717138 orNParks_SBG_Visitor_Services@nparks.gov.sg.

27 Dec (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits.

Suitable for young children.

Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come-first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and is held every Saturday.

Time: 9.30am and 3.30pm for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

15-21 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Nature-guided Walk for kids at the newly opened Kranji Extension of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR)
• Ecolife by the Riverplains
• Birdwatching at the Southern Ridges
• Sara goes Carbon Footprinting - a guided tour for kids

Walks in wild places

• What's in my mangroves? - Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Free Guided Walk
• Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin
• National Orchid Garden guided tour
• Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

Make a wild difference

• Festive Coastal Cleanup

The school holidays are here!

Wondering what to do with the kids during the December school holidays? Check out the highlights of exciting nature activities specially for kids lined up for the school holidays!

And MORE fun school holiday activities to discover and enjoy Singapore's biodiversity!

21 Dec (Sun): Nature-guided Walk for kids at the newly opened Kranji Extension of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR)

Join Cicada Tree Eco Place to explore Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve’s new extension was officially opened on 6th December 2014. The Reserve’s visitor centre is now located at Kranji Way road, beside the Kranji Dam. The coastal and forest trails here link up to Buloh’s previous visitor centre which is now called the Wetland Centre. Along the way, two boardwalks with artsy observation pods jut out over the seashore for scenic views of the Straits of Johor and JB city. Here we look for migrant Crested Terns and rare Ospreys perching on the distant kelong poles. If the tide is low we will spot mud critters doing their thing. If it is high then we should encounter silvery schools of Milkfish, Mullet and Needlefish.

If extremely lucky, Pink Dolphins, Dugong and/or Smooth Otters may show up. If not it is still a lovely stroll on the bund through lush mangrove forest. This walk will end at Buloh’s Wetland Centre. We can either walk back to our start point or from outside Buloh take Bus 925 back to the start point or to the MRT/bus interchange. This bus only goes to Buloh's Wetland Centre on Sundays and public holidays. BTW our route is 1.3km per way.

Please note:

• Bring refillable water bottle, poncho/raincoat/umbrella, hat, snacks, herbal mosquito repellent. Optional items: camera, binoculars, sunblock, sunglasses.
• EVERYONE MUST wear full-length long pants, socks and fully-covered shoes. Long-sleeved shirt is recommended, otherwise teeshirt will do.
• Currently there is no food shop at this location. We will be staying on boardwalks and level gravel paths. Stroller and wheelchair are possible although it may be a bumpy ride.
• The Kranji Countryside shuttle minibus (limited seats) also stops outside this new extension of the reserve. The first bus leaves Kranji MRT at 8.30am, 2nd at 9.30am and thereafter its one and half hrs between buses. Those who intend to have a lovely lunch at Bollywood Veggies’ Poison Ivy Café can take this shuttle at 1.10pm at the end point of our walk at Sungei Buloh’s Wetland Centre. The fare is $3.00 per person valid for multiple rides the entire day, so you may also want to visit the other attractions on its route after lunch. For the full bus schedule, peek into: www.kranjicountryside.com/transport.html

To register, please email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg giving participants' names, ages and a mobile no.

Time: 10am-12noon
Meeting Point: Meet at 9.45am inside the new visitor centre at Kranji Way road.
Cost: $13 per participant. Kids aged 5 years and below come along free.
Website: http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

20 Dec (Sat): What's in my mangroves? - Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Free Guided Walk

Join us for a free guided walk to find out about the amazing mangroves at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. This tour will be conducted at the new extension at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Kranji Way Visitor.

Register early to avoid disappointment as this is limited to 20 pax.

Time: 9.30am-12noon
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Kranji Way Visitor Centre
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

20 Dec (Sat): Festive Coastal Cleanup

Open to the Public - Registration needed

Join this festive season of giving by cleaning up the Mandai Mudflats to benefit wildlife. This stretch of coastline is a key habitat for horseshoe crabs and an important feeding site for wading birds. Help us make a difference and ensure that our wildlife continue to have the proper environment to thrive. To participate in this meaningful experience, please register with Kerry Pereira (kerry@nss.org.sg) or at the NSS website stating your full name, email and contact number. Details will be emailed to all participants.

Time: 2.30-5pm
Venue: Mandai Mudflats. More details will be emailed to those who register.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

20 Dec (Sat): Guided walk at the Sensory Trail, Pulau Ubin

Experience Ubin's wonderful nature through your senses along our Sensory Trail.

This is an excellent introduction to the rustic and natural character of the island. You will be able to touch, see or smell fruit trees, spices and herbs for cooking, plants used in traditional medicine and native plants of the mangrove forest.

Book online. For more details about this walk, see the NParks website

More about the Sensory Trail on the wildsingapore website and Ubin Volunteers blog

Time: Walks starts 9.30am and lasts for about 1.5 hours. Meet at the Pulau Ubin Main Information Kiosk next to the Ubin Jetty. More on how to get to Pulau Ubin.
Cost: $60 per group of 15 persons, maximum 6 groups
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

20 Dec (Sat): Ecolife by the Riverplains

Ecolife is a free two-hour tour which introduces the park and the biodiversity found in Riverplains through the use of interactive exploration themes and activities. The tour aims to encourage family bonding between parents and child through the process of learning together. Join us as we take you through this tour with worksheets provided and fun hands on activities such as doing up your very own underwater viewing scope.

Pre-registration is required by emailing Pauline Tan pauline_tan@nparks.gov.sg or call 6554 51326

Time: 9-11am
Meeting point: Bishan- Ang Mo Kio Park Riverplains, multi-purpose shelter
Contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/ or call 6554 5136

20 Dec (Sat): Birdwatching at 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.

This programme is brought to you by the Garden City Fund and STMicroelectronics. This event is part of the Connecting with Nature programme at the Southern Ridges.

Pre-registration is required, closing date 1 week before the programme. Programme will commence only with a minimum of 15 participants. For registration, please contact Linda Goh at 6636 2399 or Linda_SL_Goh@nparks.gov.sg

Time: 7.30-9.30am
Venue: Meet at Telok Blangah Hill Park, Multi-Purpose Plaza
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

20 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 and is held every third Saturday of the month.

A tour in Mandarin is also conducted at 4pm.

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am (English) and 4pm (Mandarin), register at Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the tour starts. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Tour duration: One hour.
Cost: While the tour is free, admission charges to the Orchid Garden applies: $5/adult, $1/student, $1/senior citizens (above 60 years) , Child below 12 years - Free
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services 6471 7361