What's on this week for nature activities in Singapore

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

9-15 Oct 06

Until 31 Dec 06: States of Being: Mammals found in our Sea

Inspired by the “Undersea World” stamp issue released in March 2006, this exhibition presents information on four sea mammals, and suggests simple things humans can do to protect the mammals and their natural environment. Through the use of exhibition guides, parents can explain information, impart values to the children, and facilitate the acquisition of analysis and reasoning skills. The exhibition is targetted for five to eight year-olds.

More details on the Singapore Philatelic Museum website

Venue: Singapore Philatelic Museum 23-B Coleman Street Singapore 179807
Opening hours: Mondays (1.00pm - 7.00pm); Tuesday - Sunday (9.00am - 7.00pm)
Charges: Museum admission applies.
Contact: 6337-3888 nhb_spm_adm@nhb.gov.sg

14 Oct (Sat): Change Your Diet and Save the Earth?

Mr George Jacobs from the Vegetarian Society highlights how our meat-based diet can contribute to environmental damage. This damage occurs because meat is an "inefficient" food source. To produce 1 kilogramme of meat, we feed animals, such as chickens and cows, many more kilogrammes of food and large amounts of water. These animals also produce more waste than humans, which pollutes the surrounding air, soil and water. Find out more about how your diet will have an impact on the environment we live in.

Time: 3-4pm
Venue: Woodlands Regional Library
Contact: Lim Poh Poh Poh_Poh_LIM@nlb.gov.sg

14 Oct (Sat): Changi Heritage Plant Walk
for NSS members only

Angie and the Nature Society (Singapore) Plant Group bring you on this walk. Many of the old trees of Changi have been accorded 'Heritage' status. We'll take a slow stroll along roads in this tree conservation area where these mighty trees reign supreme.

Meeting point: 9am, meet along the walkway opposite the Meridien Changi Village Hotel.
Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

14 Oct (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.

14 Oct (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

14 Oct (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

15 Oct (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

15 Oct (Sun): Birdwatching at Pulau Semakau
for NSS members only

This is a good time to visit Semakau for migratory birds and migrant surprises. Willie Foo leads the walk to observe resident attractions such as the Great-billed Heron, Pacific Reef Egret, Malaysian Plover, etc. Sightings are possible of rare migrants such as the Chinese Egret, Ashy Drongo, etc.

Time: 7.30am, meet at the West Coast Pier (near Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.) Back to the mainland by 2pm.There is free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway.
Cost: Non-refundable $25 fee for boat and administration charge. Send your cheque to the NSS office by 15 September with the All Purpose Form. Number of persons for trip: 11 or 22 or 33. Call Wing Chong to book — tel: 9100-3546.
Note: Identity card or passport is mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members only, on a first-come, first-served basis. Children under 12 are not allowed (NEA regulation). Please note that your reservation is not automatically confirmed until you hear from the trip leader after the closing date.
Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

15 Oct (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.

15 Oct (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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