7 Feb (Sat): Frognite with Nature Society (Singapore)

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only - verification needed

Join the Vertebrate Study Group for a night of exploration at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. We will set out to look for vertebrates including mammals, lizards, snakes and end the night with frogs.

Families are welcome to join in but children should be above 5 years old. Please bring along torchlights, drinking water and wear covered walking shoes. Please bring along your membership card for verification.

Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens. Meet outside the library at the Botany Centre.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

7 Feb (Sat): Waders' Watch Workshop at Sungei Buloh

The migratory bird season has started and the birds are here at Sungei Buloh! Sungei Buloh is an important bird site for these birds. Every year, thousands of these birds visit Sungei Buloh and other parts of Singapore to find food and shelter during winter in the northern parts of the world. Join in this workshop to know how to identify these amazing birds. Also learn how to Birdwatch and how you can help NParks in studying the migratory patterns of these birds in Singapore.

The workshop comprises a lecture and discussion about the birds followed by a field tour to practice identifying migratory shorebirds. It would be good if you have a pair of binoculars but we can loan you a limited number of binoculars. Attire: Cotton, covered comfortable walking shoes

Please email info@sbwr.org.sg to reserve your place as there are limited slots. Upon receiving your cheque, the Reserve will confirm your registration.

Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Cost: $5 (Includes admission fees and materials) (Please pay by cheque payable to National Parks Board, Attn: Waders' Watch and snail mail to 301, Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 718925)
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

7 Feb (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

7 Feb (Sat): Talk "A Journey with Dr Ray Chua"

Join Dr Chua Ee Kiam aka Ray Chua, winner of the 2013 Nikon VIP Access “I AM AN EXPLORER” and the grand prize winner of the 2012 ‘City in a Garden’ Photography Competition, for a fun and insightful workshop as he shares his expertise and knowledge on nature and macro photography at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve’s new extension.

Get the insider’s scoop on how to spot interesting subjects and find exciting angles for that potential winning shot for the Singapore Garden Photographer of the Year photo competition. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to learn more about nature conservation and photography tips from Dr Chua!

To register for this free photography talk, simply name one wildlife species found in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and email the answer along with your name, contact number and email address to benjamin_ang@nparks.gov.sg. Slots are filling up fast. Sign up today to secure a slot for yourself!

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

7 Feb (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. The nature hikes are conducted free of charge.

Route: Kampong Trail – Nature Corridor - Singapore Quarry (approximately 1.5 - 2 hours). All walks will end at Singapore Quarry.

Each session is open to a maximum of 25 people. Please take note that registration is required for EACH PERSON that is attending the walk. If you are coming with a group of friends, please register for them as well. Register online here.

Times: 8.20am (Hike begins 8.30am).
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/

7 Feb (Sat): Pebble painting and origami heart folding at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

In celebration of World Wetlands Day, join us for a painting pebbles activity. The community art pieces (painted pebbles) will be displayed at the Visitor Centre once enough pebbles are accumulated to form an art piece. Or learn to fold origami heart and bring it home as a souvenir.

Time: 9am-12noon
Venue: Api Api Lab (Kranji Way entrance) for Pebble painting
Venue: Information Counter (Kranji Way entrance) for Origami heart folding

7 Feb (Sat): Tour of the Healing Garden, Botanic Gardens

Launched in October 2011, 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.

Registration is required 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre. Mandarin tours are only available at 10am. English tours are available for all slots. This tour repeats every First Saturday of the Month.

This free walk is conducted every first Saturday of the month.

Time: 9am and 10am, please register 15 minutes before the tour
Venue: Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services (6471 7361)

7 Feb (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.

3 Feb (Tue): Jane Goodall Primate Session

Come listen to Dr Jane and our local young and dedicated primatologists to share their research and studies working with primates locally and in Asia. This is the Dr Jane’s effect which ended up with our own “Dr Janes” in Singapore!

Speakers

• The World of Chimpanzees by Dr Jane Goodall
• Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkeys in Vietnam by Andie Ang
• Enough about Conflict, Let’s Talk Culture: Stone-tool Using Macaques of Thailand by Amanda Tan
• Monkey Guards: An Alternative to Co-existing with Macaques by Sabrina Jabbar
• Into the Private Lives of Singapore Monkeys by Jayasri Srikantan Lakshminarayanan

The event is free but pre-registration is required.

Time: 1.30 – 4.15pm
Venue: Function Hall, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://janegoodall.org.sg/Jane_Goodall/Events/Entries/2015/2/1_Dr_Jane_Goodall_is_visiting_Singapore!.html

26 Jan - 1 Feb: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• Free Pasir Ris Mangrove boardwalk tour with the Naked Hermit Crabs

Walks in wild places

• Kayak Mandai Mangroves
• Nature Trail Walk with the BES Drongos
• What's in my water? - Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Free Guided Walk
• Mangrove Walk at Sungei Buloh

Wild volunteer opportunities

• Horseshoe Crab Rescue and Research

Early next week

• 3 Feb (Tue): Jane Goodall Primate Session