wild happenings in singapore

19 Dec (Sat): Ecolink@BKE Guided Walk

The Eco-Link@BKE is an ecological bridge that spans the Bukit Timah Expressway, connecting Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, its main purpose is to restore the ecological connection between two nature reserves, allowing wildlife to expand their habitat, genetic pool and survival chances.

Participants will have the opportunity to visit the Eco-Link@BKE led by NParks and volunteer guides and learn of its role and importance in the conservation of Singapore’s natural heritage.

More details and registration on the NParks website for 9am tour and 10.30am tour.

Time: 9 - 10.30am and 10.30 - 12 noon.
Venue: Meet at Dairy Farm Nature Park, Carpark B
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19 Dec (Sat): The Magic Bojabi Tree - storytelling and tour for kids

Join us for this free fun-filled session of the “Reading With Nature” Series. Learn more about the fiercely guarded magical Bojabi tree with fruits of sweet mango – melon – pomegranate, and how the animals of Africa got to eat them.

This session will provide children with the opportunity to explore nature together with a storytelling session by the Junior Reading Ambassadors and a general tour around the Children’s Garden! This “Reading With Nature” Series is jointly organised by Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Library Board.

Suitable for children in P1 – P6 levels.

Register online.

For enquiry, please contact the SBG Education Branch at 64719961 & 6465 0196 or through email: nparks_sbg_edu@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 4 - 5pm
Venue: Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (Thu): Sara the Forgetful Dinosaur - Children's guided treasure hunt

A giant forgetful prehistoric dinosaur has left its eggs in the Singapore Botanic Gardens! Children will discover some interesting members of the plant kindgom in this guided tour ending in a treasure hunt.

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels

More details and registration online.

Time: 10-11am
Cost: $8.50 per child (includes $2.50 "Sara, The Forgetful Dinosaur" Workbook)
Venue: Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

17 Dec (Thu): Overnight Nature Camp on St. John’s Island for kids

St. John’s Island, off the southern coast of Singapore, still has natural seashore ecosystems and amazing biodiversity. Here the coastal forest grows to meet natural sandy beaches, rocky shore and mangrove forest, to coral reefs off-shore. Dolphins are regularly sighted from this little island.

Cicada Tree Eco Place is organising an overnight nature camp for parents and kids. Activities planned for participants include nature-guided day/night/land/seashore walks, islandlife workshop and a slide show on the biodiversity of our offshore islands.

Dates: 17-18 December 2015
Ferry boarding to St.John’s at 10.00am on 17 Dec.
Ferry boarding at 10.45am, back in Singapore at 12.30pm on 18 Dec.

Accommodation:
Simple dormitory with single beds, communal toilets and bathrooms. Blankets and fresh sheets provided.

Meals:
To be self-catered. We will cook a simple pasta dish for dinner for all. Facilities at the dormitory include a kitchen and fridge, so you can cook instant noodles and store foodstuff.

Cost per adult: $100
Cost per kid 6 to 12 yrs old: $80
Kids 5 yrs and below: $15 each.
Payments are non-refundable but seats are transferable.

Please note:
-This camp is limited to only 40 participants.
-All participants will need to sign an indemnity form.
-There is no clinic, doctor or medic stationed on the island but quick evacuation is available in case of emergencies. It is a 20 min speedboat ride back to the mainland.
-The program, further details and instructions will be provided to confirmed participants.
-Payments are non-refundable but seats are transferable.

Registration: pls email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg with names of participants, kids' ages and your mobile no.

7-13 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

Make a wild difference

Horseshoe Crab Rescue and Research Programme

For Nature Society (Singapore) member only

Birdwatching at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

The school holidays are here!

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

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

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

13 Dec (Sun): Birdwatching at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a good place to learn how to identify the many migratory birds that overwinter in Singapore. For novice birdwatchers, come and let an expert show you how to separate a plover from a sandpiper, or a Marsh Sandpiper from the Greenshank. Differences between the birds may be subtle but once pointed out, you would be surprised to see that bird identification is not so difficult after all.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 7.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Dec (Sat): Horseshoe Crab Rescue and Research Programme

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Horseshoe crabs (HSC) are in decline globally due to the loss of habitat, poaching and overfishing. They also get trapped in abandoned fishing nets and need our help to set them free. With such concerns, NSS aims to continually monitor our local HSC population to ensure that they stay around for many generations to come. Things to bring: cap, shoes/booties, sunblock, repellent, cutter for horseshoe crab rescue and camera. Washing facilities available after the event.

Please register http://tinyurl.com/nsshscreg. Details will be emailed upon registration. For enquiries please contact Vanitha (thanetha@hotmail.com). More details on the NSS website.

Time: 4 - 7pm
Venue: Kranji Loop. Details will be emailed upon successful registration.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Dec (Sat): Butterfly Walk at Bukit Panjang Park

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Our last NSS visit to Bukit Panjang Park was on 31 August 2013, when new condominiums were being constructed alongside the park. Butterfly life was relatively good then despite the environmental disturbances. Two years on, we wonder if butterfly life is as vibrant as before. Come explore the Bukit Panjang park area, located in the neighbourhood of the Wallace Dairy Farm and Bukit Timah forests. These forests are thought to be the probable source of forest butterflies such as the Horsfield’s Baron, Plain Nawab, Bigg’s Brownie and Grey Pansy spotted here in the past.

More details and registration on the NSS website.

Time: 9.30am - 11.30am
Venue: Bukit Panjang Park
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

12 Dec (Sat): Ecolife Family Tour 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. Provide your name, contact number and number of participants.

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

12 Dec (Sat): Bats are Beautiful! - night walk for kids

Bats are awesome flying mammals. They are important to us as they help pollinate plants that in turn produce fruit for us. Insect-eating bats help control our pest populations, while fruit-eating bats help disperse seeds that contribute to our forests’ growth. Sign up now to enjoy a fun lesson and bat-watching session, combined into one thrilling evening!

Join this night walk led by Cicada Tree Eco Place which is part of the 'Connecting with Nature' programme.

To register, email NParks_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg. Please provide your name, contact number and number of participants. After which, payment has to be made by cheque by 6 December 2015.

Time: 6 - 8pm
Venue: HortPark, Greenhouse
Cost: $25 per person
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/