What's on this week for nature activities in Singapore

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK?!
Nature activities and events happening this week

4-10 Dec 06

5 Dec (Tue): Pulau Semakau intertidal walk

Let the volunteer guides of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research introduce you to this fantastic shore, right next to our landfill! Mangroves, sandy shores full of sea stars, vast seagrass meadows and living reefs. Pre-registration required. Limited places, places fill up fast. More details on the Raffles Museum website.

Time: 3-7pm, departing West Coast Pier.
Cost: adult: $52.50 (incl of 5% GST) Cost per child (age 12-18): $39.90 (incl of 5% GST)
Contact: Wang Luang Keng dbswlk@nus.edu.sg

5 Dec (Tue): Kids' Fun with Nature on the Reef
FULLY BOOKED

With the Blue Water Volunteers and the NSS Education Group. Ever seen corals up close in Singapore? Or starfish, clownfish and sea anemones? Or pistol shrimps, seagrass and cowries? If you’re between the ages of 5 and 11 years and curious about the secret world of our coral reefs, come with us on a reefwalk to Kusu Island at low tide. The Blue Water Volunteers, a group passionate about our reefs and seashores, will take us there. Let’s discover the wonders of Kusu Island reef together! The trip will run from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. The cost for adults and kids is $15 each inclusive of return boat fare. Places are limited so email both Vilma at vilma.drozario@nie.edu.sg and Zaki at bpelari@yahoo.com to register and get details. Registration closes 20 November 2006.

Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

6 Dec (Wed): Pulau Semakau intertidal walk

Let the volunteer guides of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research introduce you to this fantastic shore, right next to our landfill! Mangroves, sandy shores full of sea stars, vast seagrass meadows and living reefs. Pre-registration required. Limited places, places fill up fast. More details on the Raffles Museum website.

Time: 3-7pm, departing West Coast Pier.
Cost: adult: $52.50 (incl of 5% GST) Cost per child (age 12-18): $39.90 (incl of 5% GST)
Contact: Wang Luang Keng dbswlk@nus.edu.sg

9 Dec (Sat): Christmas special with Pui San

Pui San will be conducting a special stone painting workshop with Christmas motifs as the theme. A chance to make some gifts out of stones. 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. More about Pui San.

Time: 9am-12noon at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve workroom. Check with the front counter at the Visitor Centre.
Usual entry charges apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Contact: Tham Pui Sam at thampuisan@hotmail.com or the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

9 Dec (Sat): Plant Walk at Hindhede Nature Park

Do you know that we have a Brazil Nut Tree in park? Do you also know that the wood of Jelutong is used to make pencils? Let our volunteers share with you stories about our green allies in Hindhede Nature Park. The walk is conducted by the Building and Environment Green Volunteers from Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Engineering and the Central Nature Reserve volunteers.

For enquiries and registration, please contact the Outreach Officers of Central Nature Reserve at 65545127 three days before the event. If your group is small (less than 5), simply turn up on that day!

Time: First walk: 10.00am; Second walk: 10.30am
Meet us 5 minutes earlier in front of the information counter at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre
Contact: vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg or call :6554 5127.

9 Dec (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

9am: 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

9 Dec (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

10 Dec (Sun): Dive Hantu!

Join the Hantu Bloggers for a unique and educational dive experience in our local waters. Discover what is truly, uniquely Singapore!

Your support helps the Hantu Bloggers monitor and document Hantu's reef on a regular basis.

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

10 Dec (Sun): A Discovery Walk about Orchids in aid of ACRES's vision for a Wildlife Rescue Centre in Singapore

Come discover the real gem behind the glam(our)! Take a walk with Botanist Joseph Lai through the natural history of orchids.You will never look at orchids the same way again.

Hate orchids? Love orchids? Think you know everything about orchids already? This walk is for you. Find out more on Joseph Lai's www.eart-h.com

More about Joseph Lai
More about ACRES's Wildlife Rescue Centre

Time: 9 to 11am (or 4 to 6pm)
Venue: National Orchid Garden
Maximum Group Size: 20 persons
Charges: All Donations to ACRES: $50 per person (more appreciated please)
Contact: Joseph Lai joelaitk@singnet.com.sg

10 Dec (Sun): 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.

10 Dec (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.

10 Dec (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