What's on this week for nature activities in Singapore

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK?!
Nature activities and events happening this week
28 Aug - 3 Sep 06

1 Sep (Fri): "How do we measure success in conservation and how do we follow migratory dragonflies?" Two unrelated by intriguing issues in conservation biology

David S. Wilcove Professor of Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Public Affairs , Woodrow Wilson School Princeton University.

The first half of my talk focuses on the importance of developing biologically sound measures to assess the effectiveness of conservation actions. I present a new way to measure the effectiveness of land acquisition in protecting endangered species, and I apply it to a globally significant ecosystem in central Florida. In the second half, I discuss a new study of migrating dragonflies in southern New Jersey, USA. Although billions of dragonflies migrate along the East Coast of the USA every fall, virtually nothing is known about their migratory behavior. We attached tiny transmitters to migrating dragonflies and followed the insects over several days to learn more about this phenomenon.

More details on the seminar poster

Time: 4 pm
Venue: LT 20, Dept of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore

1 Sep (Fri) "The Surprises of Marine Life in Singapore and the threat of Marine Trash"

A lunch time talk conducted in conjunction with NUS' participation at the 15th International Coastal Cleanup Singapore (ICCS) on Saturday 9th September 2006. By N. Sivasothi a.k.a. Otterman Coordinator, International Coastal Cleanup Singapore; Research Officer/Instructor, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS

The Singapore coastline is still survived by interesting patches of coastal and marine ecosystems, which are home to otters, dugongs, sea stars, octopus, dolphins, hundreds of species of fish, sea snakes, turtles and even crocodiles! Creatures new to science are still being discovered today.

Marine life faces several challenges - development, marine trash, poaching and environmental accidents. In this focus on marine trash, plastic is a particular curse and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said "Marine trash, mainly plastic, is killing more than a million seabirds and 100,000 mammals and sea turtles each year".

How can we change this picture? Find out during the talk.

More about the talk on the RMBR news blog

Time: 12pm - 1pm
Venue: LT31, Science Drive 1, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore

1 Sep (Fri): Public Seminar on "Energy & Climate Change - What Next?"

A broad overview of energy resources and technologies, policies and actions that can contribute to efforts to cope with climate change will be presented and discussed, with particular emphasis on the situation in Singapore and the region. Conducted by Associate Professor Ho Hiang Kwee, Director, Energy Systems Laboratory, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University.

Register by 28 Aug with Ms Wong Mei Yin sdewmy@nus.edu.sg

More about the seminar on the School of Design and Environment website

Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Executive Room 5 (Level 3, SDE Blk 2) School of Design and Environment
Contact: Ms Wong Mei Yin sdewmy@nus.edu.sg Tel: 6516 1663

2 Sep (Sat): Lower Peirce Boardwalk
free Nature Appreciation Walk

The 900m boardwalks take you through the forest then along the edge of the Reservoir. So you will encounter a wide range of wildlife from forest to aquatic creatures. And enjoy wonderful panaromas of waters surrounding by luxuriant forest. Shaded by the forest, the walk is pleasantly cool. more

Time: 9.30am and 10.30am. Meet at Casuarina Entrance of the trail along Old Upper Thomson Road.
Tour duration: about one and a half hours. Suitable for young children
To join the guided tour, you will need to pre-book.
Contact: vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg or call :6554 5127.

2 Sep (Sat): Free Evolution Garden Tour, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Journey through time with our volunteer guides in this one-hour tour. Bizarre plants, bubbling pools of hot lava and lots of other things you wouldn't expect to see in a botanic garden!

Time: 9am, register at Visitor Centre Time. Register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Contact : Visitor Services (6471 7361)

2 Sep (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

9.30am: Prawn Watch A hands-on introduction to traditional prawn farming. Along the way 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. Register at the Visitor Centre at 9am. Tour duration: one to one and a half hours.

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

3 Sep (Sun): Acres Supporters Get-Together

Acres will be talking about what they have accomplished, including their successful campaign to make sure that no more polar bears will suffer in Singapore's climate! You can find out more about how recent undercover investigations in Japan and how work is expanding to other Asian countries. There will also be exciting updates about our plans for the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre, Singapore's first wildlife rescue centre, which is set to become a reality this year. You will hear about plans and campaigns for the months ahead and how you can become actively involved in the growing animal welfare movement in Singapore. There will be opportunities for you to ask us about anything you would like to know about the work of Acres, animal welfare and how you can become more involved in helping animals.

This will be a great opportunity for supporters old and new to get to know each other and we hope as many of you as possible will come and join us! Please feel free to bring friends and family along.

Please let Amy know if you would like to attend amy@acres.org.sg by 31 August 2006.

More about Acres and plans for the wildlife centre on their website.

Earlier media articles on such a centre "YES to plans for halfway house on Pulau Ubin for confiscated wildlife get in-principle OK" By Chang Ai-Lien Science Correspondent The Straits Times, 24 Jun 05

Time: 1.30-4pm
Venue: The Substation Guiness Theatre 45 Armenian Road
Contact: Amy amy@acres.org.sg

3 Sep (Sun): 5-hour Nature walk to the Tree Top Walk

Grant Pereira and the Green Volunteers Network bring you on this walk. They advise "NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN. Bring plenty of water and snacks/lunch. Walk confined to 20 people and expected to be fully booked, first come basis and please make sure you turn up."

Time: 12.45 PM (SHARP)
Meeting place: small public car park at the junction of Venus Drive and Island Club road off Upper Thomson Road return to same carpark about 5 hours later.
Contact: grant@gvn.com.sg When booking please give name and mobile number.

3 Sep (Sun): Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
free Nature Appreciation Walk

The walk takes you along the short South View trail for a quick introduction to the rainforest. You will learn more about the amazing plant life in a rainforest and how everything fits remarkably together. more

Time: Walk starts at 4pm. Meet 5 minutes before the walk starts at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: about one hour. Not accessible to prams and wheelchairs.
To join the guided tour, you will need to pre-book with NParks.
Contact: vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg or Tel:6554 5127

3 Sep (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

website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com