 EXPLORE•EXPRESS•ACT! |
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WHAT'S
ON THIS WEEK?!
Nature activities and events happening this week 23-29 Jul 07 24 Jul (Tue): Orchid Survival! How Orchid Have Adapted to Survive & Thrive in Nature Orchids have evolved many mechanisms which allow them to survive in nature even under unfavourable conditions. These include symbiotic associations with fungi (mycorrhiza), parasitism, defense chemicals, adaptations to dry conditions, fixation of carbon at night (Crassulacean acid metabolism, CAM), roots which can fix carbon, flower induction by temperature and night length, and many more. The attraction and love people have for orchids are both their greatest blessing and worst curse in terms of survival. By Professor Emeritus Joseph Arditti University of California, Irvine Time: 4-5pm Venue: Function Hall Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens Contact: Janice_YAU@nparks.gov.sg
Guest speaker Dr Josep del Hoyo will speak of the adventure in illustrating and detailing each one of some 10,000 species of birds in the world in a 16-volume international publication series — The Handbook of the Birds of the World. This monumental pioneering work, also known simply as HBW, is progressing on target for completion. Dr del Hoyo is Senior Editor of the Handbook, having inspired the project 17 years ago. This book will be in its 12th volume by this October. The handbook will be complete when the 16th volume is published in the year 2011. All NSS members and public are welcome. Admission is free and no registration is required. Time: 7pm Venue: Possibility Room of the Central Lending Library (NLB, next to Bugis Junction) Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036. 27 Jul (Fri): Orang Utan Conservation and Disease: Saving the Asian Great Ape from Extinction A talk by Michael J. C. Reid, University of Toronto, Scaborough on the current conservation threats faced by orangutans including loss of habitat, illegal logging and disease. The talk will also discuss some of the work being done at the front-line to help save the ape from imminent extinction. More details on the habitatnews blog and the National Biodiversity Reference Centre website Time: 3pm Venue: Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre 28 Jul (Sat): Jungle Trek (MacRitchie - Bukit Timah) with Nature Trekker (Singapore) Enjoy a fresh morning trekking through the Central Catchment Reserve. Participants may get to see some of the rare fauna such as the flying lemur, spiny terrapin, etc as we trek along the trail leading up to the Bukit Timah. To register, email naturetrekker@pacific.net.sg with full name, home tel, email address & mobile no. Time: 8.00 am SHARP. meet at Bus Stop (next to MacRitchie main Car park entrance). Cost: free of charge Contact: For more details, pls visit www.naturetrekker.org or call 9655 6555. 28 Jul (Sat): Cycling trip to Chek Jawa with the Green Volunteers Network Enjoy a trip on wheels to visit the new facilities at Chek Jawa. But please note you are NOT allowed to cycle on the boardwalk itself. Restricted to 20 people, first come first served. Ride about 1 hour each way so you have to be reasonably fit. Time: 10am SHARP meet at Ubin Green House. Cost: $3/person coordinating charge, you will receive an Ubin fun map from us. Bicycle rental range from $5 to $8 per bike depending on the quality/condition of bicycle. Contact: Grace grace_ang@singnet.com.sg 28 Jul (Sat): Pasir Panjang Heritage Trail Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and Reflections at Bukit Chandu have invite you on a 3-hour walk with Raffles Museum Toddycats. They have plenty of stories to share with you: At the Raffles Museum Public Gallery: "Singapore Stories" - seven tales of surprises and tragic accidents with wildlife in Singapore with the Raffles Museum Gallery Guides including the Siglap Turtle (1883), Pasir Panjang Tiger Shark (1967), East Coast Black Marlin (1986), Bukit Timah's last Leaf Monkey (1987), Mandai Road Leopard Cat roadkill (2001), East Coast Sea Cow (2001), The 4.4 metre King Cobra (2002) At Kent Ridge, the view of southern islands, the park and canopy walk with the Pasir Panjang Heritage Guides, learn how Kent Ridge got its name, about native plants and their practical uses as well as a visit to the other canopy walk in Singapore. The canopy boardwalk has surprised us in the past with flying dragons, crested green lizards and squirrels, while sea eagles soar above us. The view reveals the south-western islands and the changing Pasir Panjang shoreline, brought alive with the stories of former residents. At Reflections at Bukit Chandu - everything we tell you about the Battle of Pasir Panjang earlier will come together in this sombre but tranquil recollection of the valiant defense of the path to Singapore City by members of the Malay Regiment. Participation is free but spaces are limited and you must register. Full details on the habitatnews blog 28 Jul (Sat): Introduction to Community Gardening! Fancy a kitchen garden where you can pick fresh organic vegetables and herbs for your cooking? Thinking of growing lots of sunflowers and other sun-loving plants but you don't have the space? In an urban and built-up Singapore, it is still possible to find a place to do these and more without having to rent a piece of land in some faraway “ulu” place in Singapore. Where's that place? In your neighbourhood and workplace! Come find out how to do these and to meet other like-minded people. Ms Lynnette Terh started gardening seriously five years ago and is into ornamental plants, foliage plants and western herbs although she's eclectic in her choice of plants in pursuit of gardening knowledge. She is in charge of the Punggol Coral Community Garden at Edgedale Plains, Punggol. Ms Terh advocates the use of organic materials as far as possible. Her membership in Green Culture Singapore has greatly sharpened her gardening acumen and confidence and firmly believes that you can have a garden anywhere as long as you have the know-how and perseverance. More on the NParks website Time: 3-4.30pm Venue: Jurong Regional Library (Programme Zone, Level 1)  28
Jul (Sat): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve free guided walkYou'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: 9.30 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  28
Jul (Sat): Free Evolution Garden Tour, Singapore Botanic GardensJourney 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) 29 Jul (Sun): Guided Nature Walk at Pulau Ubin's Sensory Trail with the Green Volunteers Network Discover nature with all your senses on this trail designed for the visually impaired. Time: meet 10.00 am SHARP at Ubin Green House Cost: $5 per person and $3 for children 12 and below. Participants will receive a copy of booklet “K3 Ubin Adventure” (selling at $3) and an Ubin Fun Map (selling at $2). Contact: Grace grace_ang@singnet.com.sg  29
Jul (Sun): Dive Hantu with the Hantu BloggersJoin the Hantu Blog for a unique and educational dive experience in our local waters. Discover what is truly, uniquely Singapore! For reservations and enquiries, email hantublog@gmail.com 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. Your support helps us monitor and document Hantu's reef on a regular basis! Let's see what's waiting for us out there this time! Hantu Blog Dive Itinerary Venue: Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC) Time (Departure): 0930 hrs [Dive 1] 1st Surface Interval + Lunch [Dive 2] Departure ETA: 1500 hrs Please also bring your own lunch and water for the trip. Your passport or NRIC will be required in the event of coastguard checks. Time: 0930 hrs Venue: Keppel Marina, Bt. Chermin Rd map Cost: S$80.00 (excl gear rental) Cancellation fee $40.00 Gear Rental Rates Regulator $5.00 BCD $5.00 Mask $5.00 Fins $5.00 Wetsuit $6.00 Weight belt $0.50 Additional weights @ $0.50 29 Jul (Sun): Fort Canning Walk with Shawn Lum and the Plant Group for NSS members only The Plant Group revisits Fort Canning, one of its favourite sites and home to Heritage Trees, lovely flowers, a spice garden, and stunning panoramas of downtown Singapore. We'll take a slow stroll around the hill to admire its many lovely trees, and also use the opportunity to reconstruct what the vegetation might have once looked like at Fort Canning and its surroundings. . Time: Meet at 9.30am at the steps behind Fort Canning Centre Contact: More details about the Nature Society (Singapore). To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.  29
Jul (Sun): Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve free guided walkYou'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  29
Jul (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 |
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Need
to arrange
a nature event? try these nature guides and groups ... Subaraj Rajathurai nature guide Joseph Lai nature guide Creative Kids family groups field trips for schools Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research workshops for schools Green Volunteers Network nature walks Nature Society nature walks Blue Water Volunteers marine walks, talks Hantu Bloggers guided dives |