wild happenings in singapore

24 Jan (Sat): Nature Hike - Explore Nature Areas near Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

While Bukit Timah Nature reserve takes a break for improvement works, take this opportunity to discover other nature areas such as Dairy Farm Nature Park, Bukit Batok Nature Park and Singapore Quarry. Explore nature areas around Bukit Timah Nature Reserve by joining us on a nature hike to Singapore Quarry.

The nature hikes are conducted free of charge. Each session is open to a maximum of 20 people.

Route: Kampong Trail – Durian Loop (approximately 1.5 hours)
All walks will start and end at Kampong Trail

Hike Preparations: Please dress comfortably for walks - Covered walking shoes (Appropriate for undulated trails), light clothin, cap. Have breakfast before walk and bring bottled water. Bring rain gear (Poncho/umbrella). Nearest toilet facilities are at nearby shopping mall and food market. We encourage participants to come via public transport or park at Dairy Farm Nature Park Carpark A and bus down to starting point at Kampong Trail

The Nature Hike will be cancelled in the event of bad weather.

Pre-registration here or here is required at least 3 days in advance. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and will close when all slots are filled.

Times: 8.20am (Hike begins 8.30am), 9.20am (Hike begins 9.30am) (each tour max 20 participants)
Meeting Point: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Start of Kampong Trail (Near the grass patch with monkey educational boards). Limited parking at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve during period of closure, visitors are encouraged to come via public transport
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

24 Jan (Sat): Nature Keeper Programme

Designed to stimulate the interest of the young and inculcate in them an appreciation of our forests, the programme will be carried out at Dairy Farm Nature Park. The programme aims to nurture young volunteers in protecting our natural heritage in the longer term.

Children will learn more about the fun facts of the forests in Singapore and have the opportunity to interact with nature. As part of the programme, they will also be introduced to “The Green Factory” and understand how forest products are incorporated into our daily life. There will also be a guided walk at Wallace Trail and an art-and-craft session.

Suitable for children 7 - 11 years old (Primary 1 to 5)

Only 30 spaces available. Register online at the Nparks website.

Time: 9am - 12noon
Venue: Dairy Farm Nature Park, Wallace Education Centre
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

24 Jan (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

24 Jan (Sat): Love MacRitchie walk with the Toddycats

Join enthusiastic volunteer guides who will share with you stories about the amazing plants and animals living in our precious forest heritage at Venus Loop. This series of free guided walks for the public are conducted by The Toddycats, volunteer nature guides of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, for the Love Our MacRitchie Forest movement

More information and online registration at the Love MacRitchie Forest blog.

24 Jan (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.

12-18 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

17 Jan (Sat): Muddy and his friends - Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Free Guided Walk

Meet our new friend, Muddy the Giant Mudskipper! You get to even take pictures with him and his friends over at the new Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve extension. Muddy will introduce his friends to you while walking along the trails from the new visitor centre. Learn about the plants and animals found uniquely to a coastal mangrove forest.

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

17 Jan (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh

17 Jan (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.htmThis 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

17 Jan (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.

Please bring along your own sketching materials. Recommended sketching materials to bring:
• Drawing or sketching block , A3 or A4 size, with a strong rigid back page for support
• Pencils of 2B and 4B softness grade
• Sharpener
• Small piece of sand paper (medium grade)
• Cotton buds
• Normal eraser
• Kneadable eraser or blue tack

This event is held every third Saturday of every alternate month

Registration is required 15mins before the activity on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre at Nassim Gate. Limited to maximum 20 adults per session.

Time: 9am - 11am
Venue: Visitor Centre, Nassim Entrance
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: 6471 7361 and NParks_SBG_Visitor_Services@nparks.gov.sg