wild happenings in singapore

22-28 Jun: Highlights of the week ahead

For kids and the family

Walks in wild places

Wild talks

27 Jun (Sat): Talk on "World of Palms"

28 Jun (Sun): Paint along with Pui San at Sungei Buloh

Free art-and-nature appreciation at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Tham Pui San, a volunteer of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, is an avid artist who expresses his passion for nature through his art work.

Pui San welcomes artists of all ages or anyone who wants to learn. His objective is to encourage creativity while enjoying nature at the same time. Bring along your favourite drawing or painting supplies and enjoy learning different drawing techniques at Sungei Buloh.

More in the art in the wetlands blog.

Limited to 20 persons. Register online.

Time: 8.30-11.30am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Visitor Centre. Meet at Api Api Lab (Kranji Way entrance)
Website: http://artinwetlands.wordpress.com/and http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

27 Jun (Sat): Talk on "World of Palms"

Did you know that palms are one of the largest plant groups at the Gardens? They have even broken a number of records in the plant kingdom! From the longest stem to the biggest seeds, palms are truly an exceptional group of plants with numerous uses.

To commemorate World Environment Day in June, join our palms expert, Dr Adrian Loo, on an interactive session to appreciate the uses of these green gems. Learn fascinating facts about the critically endangered Tahini palm (Tahina spectabilis), as well as simple tips for growing healthy palms.

The talk is free but registration is required. Registration and more details on the Gardens by the Bay website.

Time:1-2.30pm
Cost: Free
Venue: Cannonball Room at Gardens by the Bay
Website: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/

27 Jun (Sat): What's in my mud?

The mud at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a key habitat for the plants and animals. This unique habitat is full of surprises!

Get close and personal to the mud and observe the rich biodiversity; critical to the ecosystem at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Join us for an interesting free guided walk featuring our lesser known creatures of the mudflats in Sungei Buloh.

Limited to 20 participants. Register online.

Time: 9.30am-11am
Venue: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Wetland Centre, meet at the Information Counter.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

27 Jun (Sat): Plants and Their Habitats (A guided tour for kids)

Just like us, plants need a home to provide themselves with food and shelter. Plant habitats are diverse, which include gardens, ponds and even deserts.

During this tour, children will be led to observe different plant habitats and explore the features of plants and understand how certain adaptations help plants survive.

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

Suitable for children in K1 - P6 levels. Register online.

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Botany Centre, Tanglin Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Cost: $6 per child & $6 per accompanying adult. Please make the payment on the spot on the event date itself.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

27-28 Jun: Festival of Biodiversity

Join us at the festival to explore and learn more about Singapore's rich biodiversity!

The Festival of Biodiversity is an annual event organized by the National Parks Board in collaboration with the Biodiversity Roundtable. Initiated in 2012 with the aim of creating awareness and fostering a sense of appreciation for our native biodiversity, this year the Festival is back bigger and better with the theme “Celebrating SG50: Our Natural Heritage", the Festival hopes to achieve greater outreach by showcasing Singapore’s impressive and unique array of flora and fauna. There will be many interactive stations and workshops for all ages!

Date: 27 to 28 June 2013 (Saturday and Sunday)
Time: 10am to 10pm
Venue: VivoCity, Level 1, Central Court map and directions
Website and contact: http://festivalofbiodsg.wix.com/festivalofbiodsg

24 Jun (Wed): Storytime with Sara @ Heritage Core: Sara Goes Back in Time (A Guided Tour)

Sara, the Botanicosaurus, discovers a treasure chest of precious photos and items left behind by her grandmother, Nana. Each of these artefacts tells a story of the wonderful plants and people that have contributed to the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Join her as she explores the Gardens and uncover its rich heritage! Participants will go on a guided tour of the Heritage Museum and Heritage Core of the Gardens.

Suitable for children in K1 – P3 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: 10-11am
Venue: Botany Centre, Tanglin Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Cost: $6 per child and $6 per accompanying adult. Please make the payment on the spot on the event date itself.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

23 Jun (Tue): Fascinating Forest at Labrador

Labrador Nature Reserve has played a significant role in the early years of trading and in the defence of Singapore during World War II. Discover the rich heritage of Labrador Nature Reserve, explore Singapore's only coastal cliff vegetation, and learn how plants in the nature reserve play an important role in the ecosystem by supporting the different life forms. Some walking required, thus participants should be reasonably fit.

Register online.

Time: 2.30-4pm
Venue: Labrador Nature Reserve,
Berlayer Shade and Tanjong Berlayer, Meeting point at the sheltered pavilion at Labrador Park MRT
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg

21 Jun (Sun): Coastal Clean-up at Mandai Mudflats

Open to the Public - Registration Needed

Join us to clean up the Mandai Mudflats to benefit the wildlife that thrives here. Designated an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, this stretch of coastline is a key habitat for horseshoe crabs and an important feeding site for wading birds.

Please register at http://tinyurl.com/nssccreg. Details will be emailed to those who sign up.

For enquiries, please contact Say Chong (nssccu@gmail.com).

Time: 8.30-11am
Venue: Mandai Mudflats. Details will be emailed upon successful registration
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

20 Jun (Sat): Pulau Ubin Kampong Tour Guided Walk

Take a walk with us to experience Ubin's wonderful natural and cultural heritage. The walk takes about 2 hour 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/