What's on this week for nature activities in Singapore

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

18-24 Jun 07

18 Jun (Mon): "The ecology and conservation of sun bear in Malaysia"

By Wong Siew Te Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana Missoula. In first half of the talk, Wong Siew Te will talk about the ecology and behavior of sun bear and his research works on sun bear in Sabah, Malaysia. The second part of the talk will focus on the threats and other conservation issues facing by the sun bear in Malaysia.

More details on the habitatnews blog

Time: 1pm - 2pm D
Venue: BS Conference Room Blk S3, Level 5, Department of Biological Sciences The National University of Singapore Science Drive 4 Visitors may park at Carpark 10 See map.

19 Jun (Tue): Nature's IR at Sentosa: family shore walks with the Naked Hermit Crabs

At Sentosa, nature has had an integrated resort for a long long time! And tucked away in a corner of Sentosa, is a marvellous natural shore.

The Naked Hermit Crabs have specially designed this easy one-and-a-half-hour walk to introduce kids 9 years and above to this shore during low tide. No need to swim or dive! Come with the whole family!

Some of the amazing NATURAL sights include spectacular cliffs, a lush coastal forest and a natural lagoon with living corals, seagrasses and lots of marine life. There will be a little bit of climbing, and you will get your shoes wet when we explore part of the lagoon.

For the more hardy and fool hardy, the Naked Hermit Crabs have also designed an Adventure Trail on this shore! This trail is much longer and more physically demanding than the Family Trail. It takes about two and a half hours and is suitable for kids 13 years old and above.

Registration is required, places are limited.

Who are the Naked Hermit Crabs? Why are they naked? How do we sign up? How to get there? What do we prepare? All naked details on the Naked Hermit Crabs blog

Time: Starts 7.30am for both walks
Meeting point: will be advised to those who register
Duration: Family Trail=1.5 hours, Adventure Trail=2.5 hours.
Cost: $5 per person (does not include Sentosa entrance fees and charges)
Contact: nakedhermitcrabs@gmail.com

19 Jun (Tue): "Youtube and beyond: What you want to know but never knew who to ask"

By Kevin Lim Social Media Provocateur http://theory.isthereason.com

About the talk - Youtubers, Videobloggers, Video podcasters, or anyone who wants to get started with sharing videos online, this is perfect for you!

Here are 5 reasons why you have to join in:
* Make friends and show your clips with fellow video bloggers!
* Explore the world of free video sharing services -> going beyond Youtube
* Learn tips to producing great video for web -> high quality, small file size
* How to protect yourself by staying legal -> copyright, Creative Commons
* See the future of online videos -> Lifecasting and searching within videos

And maybe also "videocasting without spending a bomb on hosting" (integrating Internet Archive with your blog).

About the speaker - Kevin Lim [of theory.isthereason.com] is currently pursuing his PhD in Communication and is teaching in the Educational Technology Center at the University at Buffalo (SUNY). He studies the wide-ranging cultural affordances of technology, focusing particularly on the pedagogical aspects of social media. Being passionate about making and sharing videos, Kevin is currently challenging notions of virtuality through his modular "sousveillance" backpack. In an attempt at enhancing the usefulness of video, this unique backpack allows him to experiment with lifecasting, ambient presence, and video as a form of memory prosthetic.

From the habitatnews blog

Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Multi-purpose Room, Central Lending Library Basement of National Library Board 100 Victoria Street, S (188064) map

21 Jun (Thu): Three talks at TMSI - heat shock and Antarctic Survey

Billed by Serena Teo as "The absolute best penguin show in town" these three half-hour talks will be held back-to-back at TMSI Seminar Room on St John's Island. All are welcome.

The heat shock response in Antarctic marine organisms— Dr Melody Clark

Living in the Antarctic—Dr Simon Morley and Ms Stephanie Martin: A light hearted look at scientists and naturalists living and working in the Antarctic.

Heat shock protein (hsp) expression in limpets on Hong Kong rocky shores—Mr Lai Chien Houng

TMSI will provide a ferry which will depart Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal at 9.30am for St John's Island. The return ferry will depart at 12.30. As ferry seats are limited, register by 15 June (Friday) latest if you are interested to attend the talks. More details on the eco-tax group.

Time: 10.30am -12noon
Venue: St. John's Island

23 Jun (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

PrawnWatch 9.30am: Get a hands-on introduction to traditional prawn farming and learn about the importance of mangroves.

Time: 9.30 am and 3.30pm 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

23 Jun (Sat ): Butterfly Walk at the Singapore Botanic Gardens with Simon Chan
for NSS members only

We will be taking a leisurely stroll in the garden, which includes a small patch of primary forest. Butterflies seen here include the rare and endangered Common Birdwing and the Common Rose. Other denizens of this wonderful place are the Painted Jezebel, Striped Albatross, Common Grass Yellow, Common Mormon, Lime Butterfly and many more. Please bring enough water to last the entire walk of 3 hours.

Time: 9.30am, meet at the Botanic Gardens' main entrance at the junction of Cluny Road and Napier Road.
Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

23 Jun (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)

24 Jun (Sun): Party at the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre

Construction for the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) is well under way. On the 24th June (Sunday), we would like to open our doors to you for a privileged sneak preview and grand tour of AWRC before the animals move in.

Come and experience the true wilderness of our sanctuary and see for yourself what your generous donations have created. Enjoy an evening of Indian vegetarian cuisine (provided by Ananda Bhavan Vegetarian Restaurant), lucky dip, body painting and games under the stars. Also, grab the chance to have a tree or enclosure at the AWRC named after you by bidding in our auction.

All proceeds will be channelled towards the final leg of construction of AWRC, to make the centre a comfortable and enriching haven for the animals.

As we need to know how many to cater for, please RSVP by 20th June by sending an email to louis@acres.org.sg On behalf of the animals, thank you for your support and we look forward to meeting you at the AWRC!

Time: 4pm – 8pm
Venue: Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre (Directions below)
Ticket Price: $30 (Payment at the door)

The AWRC is beside the Qian Hu Fish Farm (http://www.qianhu.com) (71, Jalan Lekar, Sungei Tengah Singapore 698950). Here’s the map (zoom out to get a better picture)

To get to Qian Hu, you can take Bus No. 172 from Choa Chu Kang Interchange / Boon Lay Interchange or Bus No. 975 from Bukit Panjang Interchange and alight in front of the Home Team Academy (Old Choa Chu Kang Rd). From there it’s about a 1 kilometre walk to Qian Hu (Follow the sign and turn into Jalan Lekar).

We will be arranging pick ups from Home Team bus stop at 3:45pm, 4pm and 4:15pm

24 Jun (Sun): Pulau Ubin Durian Ramble with the Nature Ramblers led by Yap Chung Kui
for NSS members only

We will explore the numerous trials and savour the rustic charm of the island, which will take in Malay kampongs, fish ponds, coconut groves and fruit orchards. If the season is right, we might get to taste some kampong durians. Please bring water, rainwear and a hat or cap. Binoculars and a camera are optional.

Time: 7.45am meet at the new Changi Point Jetty to board the boat to Pulau Ubin. Boat fare (return) is to be borne by participants. Booking is not required but participants must be NSS members. Due to the length of this walk, it is not suitable for children under 12 years.
Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

24 Jun (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: 9.30am 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

24 Jun (Sun): Free "Painting with Pui San" at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

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. More in the Art in the Wetlands blog.

Time: Meet 8.30am at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve ticketing counter (Visitor Centre). Session usually lasts until about 11am.
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