What's on this week for nature activities in Singapore

8 May (Mon): Talk on "Evolution of blue butterflies: pattern and process"

The larvae of lycaenid butterflies often associate -- sometimes in an obligatory, species-specific way -- with ants. Typically this relationship is mutualistic, with caterpillars being defended from predators and parasites by attendant ants that in turn receive nutritious secretions from the caterpillars. The mutualism is occasionally corrupted, however, with caterpillars preying upon or parasitizing the ants, as in the case of the Large Blue and its relatives in the genus Maculinea.

About the Speaker - Naomi Pierce is the Hessel Professor of Biology in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard. Research in her laboratory focuses on the ecology and evolution of species interactions. This work has ranged from studying genetic mechanisms and biochemical signaling pathways underlying three-way interactions between plants, pathogens and insects to investigating the ecological costs and benefits of symbioses between caterpillars in the butterfly family Lycaenidae and their attendant ants. Her main focus in recent years has been on life history evolution, and she has taken a phylogenetic approach to understanding how particular life history transitions may have affected the diversification of different lineages.

More on the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research blog

Time:11am-12noon
Venue: DBS Conference Room Blk S3, Level 5, Department of Biological Sciences The National University of Singapore Science Drive 4

10 May (Wed): "Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost: BESG's strategy of sharing bird ecology information"

A talk by Dr Wee Yeow Chin. What is the use of collecting information if it is not ultimately made available to one and all? With this in mind, BESGroup set up its blog to disseminate bird ecology infomation within the shortest possible time. This talk will examine the group's experience after more than nine months of active blogging and look at its effectiveness vis-a-vis Nature News, Nature Watch, NSS Webpage, The Pangolin and Singapore Avifauna. It will also discuss the diminishing role print medium has in this exciting Internet Age. Come to this talk and find out more about blogging!

All are welcome

Time: 7.30pm
Venue: NSS office, 510 Geylang Road #02-05 The Sunflower.
Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

11 May (Thu): "The Circle of Life"

Some say eat or be eaten
Some say live and let live
But all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give
In the circle of life
Lyrics from the Circle of Life, Elton John

A talk by Prof Peter Ng - Director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research at the National University of Singapore.

What does biological diversity have got to do with environmental management? Why should the man on the street be concerned about animal and plant conservation, the smuggling of endangered species, alien species invasion and the destruction of natural habitats like forests and swamps? Using relevant case studies from the various biodiversity-related research projects conducted by staff from the Raffles Museum and the Department of Biological Sciences, Prof Peter Ng will discuss why good, forward-looking environmental management almost mandates a strong knowledge of the resident biodiversity and the preservation of animal and plant lives in our living environment.

Time: 3.30-5pm
Venue: Training Room, 40 Scotts Road, Environment Building, #06-00, Singapore 228231
Admission is free but please register online. http://www.nea.gov.sg/cms/sei/PSS20.html

13 May (Sat): Pedal Ubin: Guided cycling trip of Pulau Ubin

This 3.5-4 hour ride is suitable especially for those who are clueless about Ubin. Don't worry if you're a novice cyclist. As long as you can balance yourself on a bike, you can certainly join us! More details on the Pedal Ubin website.

Time: 8am meet at Changi Point Ferry Terminal.
Cost: $10.50 (inclusive GST) per participant per ride. It goes towards paying for the bumboat ride to Pulau Ubin and whole day bicycle rental. It also includes a token sum to indicate your commitment to the ride. If you are bringing your own bicycles, the charge is $7.35 (inclusive GST) per participant per ride.
Contact: To register, email pedalubin@yahoo.com. Pre-registration is essential. You will receive a confirmation email. Places limited. For more details about registration.

13 May (Sat): Native Plant Hunt at Hindhede Nature Park

Here's a chance to learn at least 8 native plant species in a fun way! Form a team of 3 to 5 members and pick up a set of clues at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre anytime from 10.00 am to 11.00 am. You have one hour to complete your hunt.

Registration for the free plant hunt is limited to maximum of 20 people per registrant.

Time: 10-11am
Venue: Begin at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre
Contact: vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg or call :6554 5127.

13 May (Sat): MacRitchie Nature Trail Walk: "What to Restore and Where?"
Only for NSS members

Shawn Lum and the Plant Group bring you on a slow alk along the first stretch of the MacRitchie Nature Trail to see how much natural regeneration has taken place over the past 50 or so years. How could one hasten the process of regeneration? Let us count the ways during this walk ...

Time: 9.30am meet near the kayak rental shed (just past MacRitchie dam) on MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

13 May (Sat): Botanic Gardens Rainforest Trail free guided walk

A fabulously easy introduction to a rainforest with tall trees and other mysterious plants! Right in the heart of the city, within minutes of Orchard Road, this is the oldest remnant of rainforest in Singapore! more

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am, 4pm; Register 15 minutes before the tour at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: one hour. Suitable for young children.
A special Mandarin version of this tour is at 4pm.
Contact: Visitor Services, 64717361 or NPARKS_SBG_Visitor_Services@NPARKS.GOV.SG

13 May (Sat): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve free guided walk

You'll see the fabulous plants and animals of the mangroves and freshwater wetlands. Besides the abundant bird life, there is also other fascinating wildlife in the Reserve. more

3pm: Marine Fish Tour, a 30-minute tour introducing the fascinating fishes of Buloh.

Time: 9am, 10am, 3pm, 4pm, for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.
Tour duration: one to one and a half hours. Easy trails, some suitable for young children.
Entry charges: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Contact: sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

14 May (Sun): Dive Hantu!

Join the Hantu Bloggers for a unique and educational dive experience in our local waters. Discover what is truly, uniquely Singapore! More of what you can see during a dive at Hantu on the Hantu Blog

RSVP with the following:
1. Your name
2. IC/Passport number
3. Your email address
4. Your handphone number, and
5. Any rental equipment required incl number of weights.

Contact: For reservations and enquiries, email hantublog@gmail.com

14 May (Sun): Semakau public walk

Join the volunteer guides from the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research to explore the intertidal area on Pulau Semakau and learn more about the Semakau landfill.

More of what you can see during the walk.

Pre-registration essential.

Time: 7-11am.
Cost: per adult is $52.50; per child (age 12-18) $39.90. No children below 12 years, regretably. GST included.
Contact: Luan Keng at dbswlk@nus.edu.sg.

14 May (Sun): MacRitchie Prunus Trail free guided walk

You'll see breath-taking views of the reservoir and surrounding forests and learn more about the freshwater and land wildlife and plants there. more

Time: 9.30am and 10.30am. Meet at entrance of the trail, about 300m from the fishing ground, MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
Tour duration: about one hour.
To join the guided tour, you will need to pre-book.
Contact: vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg or call :6554 5127.

14 May (Sun): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve free guided walk

You'll see the fabulous plants and animals of the mangroves and freshwater wetlands. Besides the abundant bird life, there is also other fascinating wildlife in the Reserve. more

Time: 9am, 10am subject to availability of volunteer guides; for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.
Tour duration: one to one and a half hours. Easy trails, some suitable for young children.
Entry charges: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Contact: sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

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