What's on this week for nature activities in Singapore

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

13-19 Aug 07

18-19 Aug (Sat & Sun): Acres Road Show at The Atrium @ Orchard

Happy Birthday Singapore! Acres celebrates with Singapore as a 'City of Possibilities'! Engaging Singaporeans in protecting animals and to take ownership of the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre. This will strengthen our community spirit and increase our identity as a compassionate society. Activities include face and hand painting.

Come learn about what you can do to make a difference against illegal wildlife trade, and contribute much needed funds to the Acres Wildlife Rescue Centre.

If you would like to volunteer with us at this event, please contact charlene@acres.org.sg for more details.

Time: 10am to 10pm
Venue: The Atrium @ Orchard, 60B Orchard Road
Website: http://www.acres.org.sg/

18 Aug (Sat): Guided tour of the Linnaeus Exhibition

Come join us in celebrating Linnaeus 300! This year marks the 300th birth anniversary of the remarkable Swedish biologist, Carolus Linnaeus, the Father of Plant and Animal Classification.

More details on the National Biodiversity Reference Centre website

Time: 10am and 11am
Venue: Tour starts at the Green Pavilion (Level 1, Botany Centre) Singapore Botanic Gardens.

18 Aug (Sat): National Library Garden Walk

The Garden Walks tour introduces the surprisingly large number of plant species within the National Library gardens. Volunteer guides share the economic and therapeutic values of plants. Tours in English (Mandarin upon request). No registration is required.

Please take your place in person at the National Library Main Lobby Information Counter at Level 1, half an hour before the tour begins. However, places are allocated on a first come, first served basis with a maximum of 20 persons per tour.

Here's more about the walk on the discovery blog.

Time: 4-5.30 pm
Venue: Lee Kong Chian Reference Library
Website: http://www.nlb.gov.sg/

18 Aug (Sat): Kent Ridge Ramble with the Nature Ramblers led by Ho Wah Loong
for NSS members only

This 8km/4hr ramble takes us past some fine examples of colonial black-and-white bungalows. We will stroll through beautiful countryside and spot some interesting birds. The ramble ends at Pepy’s Rd. Booking is not required.

Time: Meet at 8am, at the junction of Hyderabad and Alexandra Road (near the bus-stop).
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

18 Aug (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: Marine Fish Tour, a 30-minute tour introducing the fascinating fishes of Buloh.

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.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

18 Aug (Sat): National Orchid Garden Tour free guided walk

Explore the beauty and diversity of orchids at the Singapore Botanic Gardens with volunteer guides in this one-hour tour. Please register 15 minutes before the tour. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis at the Visitor Centre. more

Time: 9am, 10am, 11am and 4pm. Register 15 mins beforehand at Visitor Centre
Admission fees to the National Orchid Garden applies. Adults - $5; Students - $1; Senior Citizens (Above 60 years) - $1; Children (Below 12 years) free.
Website: http://www.sbg.org.sg/
Contact: Visitor Services (6471 7361)

19 Aug (Sun): Phat-Tyre Sunday @ Tampines Mountain Biking Trail

The 3rd off-road, cross-country mountain bike race organized by DirTraction! Here’s your chance to to be the first few bikers to experience a brand new extended jungle trail and a first roll over the other knoll of the Tampines MTB Trail! So join in the festivities on race day, and take on the big bike challenge on Phat-Tyre Sunday!

Fees: 19 years old & below - $15 20 years old & above - $25
Late admin fee - additional $20

Register online here. Deadline for registration is Tue, 14 Aug 07, 8pm.

From the NParks events website
For more information on the event, visit the dirtraction website

Time: 7.30am – 1.30pm
Venue: Tampines Mountain Bike Trail
websites: http://www.dirtraction.com/ and http://www.nparks.gov.sg/

19 Aug (Sun): Trees of the Bukit Timah Campus with Shawn Lum and the Plant Group
for NSS members only

Members of the Plant Group have been looking at the trees of the historic Bukit Timah Campus for the past few months, and it is now time to share this newly-gained acquaintance with the trees with other NSS members. Get familiar with lovely tembusu and sea apple trees at the campus, and expect a number of botanical surprises!

Time: Meet at 9.30am at the car park outside the Raffles Building/NParks complex along Evans Rd (near the entrance to the Botanic Gardens' Visitor Centre).
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

19 Aug (Sun): Birdwatching at Lorong Halus with Willie Foo
for NSS members only

For years, Little Grebes and common moorhens have made their homes in Lorong Halus, an old rubbish dump site. Grassland birds like Yellow-bellied Prinias, munias, baya weavers, long-tailed shrikes and more thrive in this remote part of Singapore as well. Come join veteran birder Willie Foo in an enjoyable morning of sights and sounds presented by these birds. Expect to car pool.

Time: Meet him at 7.30am at Bus Stop B36 (Service 72) at the junction of Tampines Ave 10 and Tampines Road in front of the temples.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

19 Aug (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: 9.30 am and 3.30pm 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.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401