21 Jan (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 online.

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 Jan (Sat): Bug Life for kids - The Fantastic Bugs Around Us!

Join Mr Andrew Tay of Cicada Tree Eco-Place for this workshop and discover some of the incredible bugs that live in our rainforests – caterpillars that pretend to be poop to escape detection; insects that look like leaves and sticks; giant millipedes; and glowing scorpions.

You will get to do a hands-on study of specimens and go on a guided walk to search for the wild bugs living among us.

More details and register online.

Time: 10 am – 11 am
Venue: Lifestyle Corner
Cost: $25 per persom
Website:

21 Jan (Sat): What's in my mangrove?

Mangrove forests are living borders of the freshwater and salt water. Out of 73 true mangroves species worldwide, 22 can be found in Sungei Buloh.

Join this free morning walk and get to know the mangrove trees and plants of Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

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 Jan (Sat): Birdwatching 101 at Sungei Buloh

Migratory bird season is here again. Every year, thousands of birds escape the cold north to spend the winter months in the warmer southern parts of the earth. Singapore, especially Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, is a favourite stop-over for these birds.

Want to know these birds but don't know how to get started? We are conducting a workshop for the novice. We will spend some time learning bird watching basics like
(1) Learning how to identify birds
(2) Learning how to use a pair of binoculars and the spotting scope to better see the details of birds
(3) Putting these skills into practice

No prior skill/knowledge is required. Come prepared in long sleeved tops and long pants (muted colours preferred). Bring along drinking water, pen and paper.

Limited to 15 participants (suitable for 16 years and above). Registration online.

Time: 9.30am - 11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

9-15 Jan: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

• I heART Nature Workshop for kids
• “Grow With Nature” Drama for kids -- The Grumpy Tree
• 11 Jan (Wed): Chek Jawa Intertidal Guided Tour
• 12 Jan (Thu): Chek Jawa Intertidal Guided Tour

Walks in wild places

• Love MacRitchie Walk by Toddycats - Venus Drive
• A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of MacRitchie
• Rain Forest Tour at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
• Sketches of Nature
• What's in my sky?

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

• Dairy Farm to Mandai Ramble

MORE events next week

MORE events for the month ahead.

15 Jan (Sun): Love MacRitchie Walk by Toddycats - Venus Drive

Join the NUS Toddycats of Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in discovering the forest! Learn about amazing plants and animals living in our backyard as part of the Love Our MacRitchie Forest movement.

The Cross Island MRT Line (CRL) site investigation works are slated to begin this month. How will the works affect the forest and wildlife? Come join us learn about the conservation issues surrounding the proposed CRL through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

The forest trail at Venus Loop is a dirt path, which is relatively level and suitable for children and the elderly. Be prepared for some mud.

This guided walk is conducted by volunteers and is free-of-charge. Limited spaces available.

More details and registration online.

Time: 8.30am - 11.30am
Venue: Venus Drive
Website: http://lovemacritchie.wordpress.com/

14 Jan (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 online.

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 Jan (Sat): Dairy Farm to Mandai Ramble

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Led by Pandian and Sutari, let us explore this 10-km route from Dairy Farm to Mandai Lake Road. We will ramble through Chestnut Road, Bukit Panjang, Mandai forest and little known nature trails. There is a good chance of seeing nocturnal wildlife. Bring raingear, torchlight, tidbits, and plenty of water.

Note: Not suitable for children below 12 years old.

More details on the NSS website.

Time: 4pm
Venue: Meet at Dairy Farm Carpark B.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

14 Jan (Sat): A walk with your neighbours - the macaques of MacRitchie

The long-tailed macaques are the most conspicuous animals at Macritchie Reservoir Park. Although commonly seen, they are very misunderstood. Few seeing them realise anything about the social world these monkeys live in. They have kin networks, power struggles, friends, foes, and an otherwise complex social network. In many ways, they provide a mirror of our own sociality.

If you would like to learn more about your community and the interesting world of your neighbouring macaques at Macritchie, please join our free walk, led by experts from the Jane Goodall Institute Singapore.

Suitable for adults and children above 8 years.

More details and register online.

Time: 5pm - 6.30pm
Venue: Meet at Mushroom Cafe at Macritchie Reservoir Park. The walk will be at Macritchie Reservoir Park, Lawn @ Paddle Lodge
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

14 Jan (Sat): Sketches of Nature

Explore the artist in you while you travel through time from the 14th century to the 19th century and beyond in Fort Canning Park with Artist, Mr Choo Meng Foo. Take home with you sketches of the interesting heritage attractions or the beautiful surroundings in Fort Canning Park. Bring your sketchbook, pen, pencil or colour pencil and join us in this relaxing activity.

Details and registration online.

Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Meeting Point, at the Roundabout, between Fort Canning Arts Center and Hotel Fort Canning
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/