wild happenings in singapore

23 - 29 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Free Ecolife Tour for Families

Walks in wild places

Go wild on your own!
This long weekend, why not explore our wild places free-and-easy? Great destinations include Pulau Ubin and a wide range of seashores, mangroves and forest destinations. Check out the many DIY Trail Guides on the NParks website. Lots of info for visitors on wildsingapore with tips on how to prepare for a trip, how to get there and what to see and do.

A tip for a long-weekend trip
Our wild places and parks can get VERY crowded on long weekends. The best way to avoid the crowds is to arrive early in the morning and leave early. Our wildlife is generally more active in the morning too!

28 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 .

28 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 for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

28 Dec (Sat): Free Ecolife Tour for Families

It’s the school holidays again. Want to spend time with your family and learn more about Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park and biodiversity in and around the river?

Ecolife introduces the park and the biodiversity found in the area through the use of interactive explorational themes and activities. It is to encourage family bonding between parents and child through the process of learning together. This tour is conducted by volunteers.

For children 6 to 14 years old.

There are 20 spaces available for each session, but a minimum of 10 signups is required for the tour to take place. Each signup is for one adult and one child.

For enquires and registration, please email Ms Shanny Tan (shanny_tan@nparks.gov.sg)

Time: 9 to 11am
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

28 Dec (Sat): Butterfly-watching in HortPark

Butterflies are natural wonders and good indicators of the quality of our environment. Join us for an educational walk as our guides point out to you the numerous species of butterflies that visit HortPark. Seek out the beautiful caterpillars and learn about the lifecycles of these flying jewels.

Photo from the Butterflies of Singapore blog:
Launch of the Butterfly Garden at Hort Park.

At the end of this free tour by the HortPark volunteers, start your journey to becoming a conservationist by bringing your own flower pot and sowing the seeds of either a host or nectar plant that attracts butterflies. A small flower pot will suffice.

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. Contact 6471-5601 or NParks_HortPark@nparks.gov.sg.

Time: 10am-11am
Venue: HortPark, Butterfly Garden
Website and contact: http://www.nparks.gov.sg

16-22 Dec: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

For Nature Society (Singapore) members only

Birdwatching at Bidadari

22 Dec (Sun): Mandarin guided tour 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.

Pre-register by calling 67941401, minimum 5 participants to start the tour and maximum 15. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve.

More about the Mandarin guided walks on the Purple Mangrove blog. More about the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve on the wildsingapore website and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website.

Time: 9.30 am, meet at the Information Counter, Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours. Suitable for young children.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

21 Dec (Sat): Birdwatching at Bidadari

for Nature Society (Singapore) members only

The former Bidadari Muslim Cemetery, bounded by Bartley Road on one side and Upper Serangoon Road on another, has proven to be an interesting site for migrants and visitors in recent years. Notable sightings have included the Hooded Pitta, Ruddy Kingfisher, Crow-billed Drongo, various Cuckoos and Flycatchers. Development work may start soon at Bidadari so join the Nature Society in exploring this spot while it is still a peaceful haven for birds.

Time: 7.30-11am
Venue: Meet by the Woodleigh MRT Station, Entrance C, at the junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Upper Aljunied Road.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 Dec (Sat): A walk in an ancient forest, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is the largest surviving primary rainforest in Singapore. Come and join us on a fascinating journey of discovery to learn more about the natural wonders of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and why we should protect and conserve its complex ecosystem and diversity.

This free guided walk will introduce you to the common native flora and fauna found in the primary rainforest.

This guided walk is suitable for families with children 9 and above, and groups of not more than 5. Along a slightly undulating natural path, the trail is not accessible to prams and wheelchairs.

More about the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve on the wildsingapore website and NParks website. This walk is conducted by the volunteer guides of NParks' Central Nature Reserve and is held every third Saturday of the month.

Sign up on this online form.

Time: 9.25am-10.30am. Meet at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, at the ranger counter.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/