EXPLORE•EXPRESS•ACT! |
|
 |
ACT
for
our wild places
Why act for
nature?
If you have a passion for nature, the energy and time, you can make
a big difference as a volunteer. Many nature groups rely on volunteers
to run their programmes. Most have activities to suit any contribution
of skill, time and energy. Every contribution, large and small, short-term
and long-term, can make a difference.
| What
do I get out of it?
As a volunteer, you get to put your passion for nature into
practice. You will participate in training sessions where you
will learn more about our wild, natural places. Training often
involves special field trips and talks by experts. |
|
We
make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give.
Winston Churchill
|
|
|
Volunteering also
gives you opportunities to interact with professionals in natural
sciences and nature reserve management, as well as experienced naturalists.
You also get to hang out with others who share your passion. It's
fun and meaningful!
What
do nature volunteers have to say about their experiences?
Here
the personal stories of 50
volunteers who have made a difference for nature everywhere in
Singapore.
What
can I contribute?
Almost any skill you have can make a difference!
| What
can I contribute as a nature guide?
As a nature guide, share your passion for nature by introducing
others to our very own wild places. A personal and passionate
introduction really gets people interested in enjoying and conserving
nature. |
|
To
a person uninstructed in natural history, his
stroll in the country or along a seashore is a
walk through a gallery filled with wonderful works
of art, nine-tenths of which have their faces
turned to the wall.
Thomas
H. Huxley
|
|
|
Don't
want to guide, but want to contribute?
Besides nature guiding, volunteers are needed for many nature efforts.
You can contribute skills such as photography, design, illustration
and writing, internet support. Help is always needed for organising
events and managing volunteer groups. You can also help in other outdoor
events such as biodiversity surveys and monitoring, removal of invasive
weeds, replanting native trees. Even if all you have is time and a
deep passion for nature, there are many great opportunities for you
to make a difference. Just check out the listings below.
Where can I contribute? Check out the opportunities below to
see how their needs fit in with your passion and schedule. |
 |
Singapore Celebrates our Shores As part of International Year of the Reef 2018, lots of opportunities to volunteer and intern on marine issues and actions. More details
on the Singapore Celebrates our Shores 2018 blog with FAQ and sign up details. |
 |
 |
Teamseagrass
a volunteer effort to monitor seagrasses and other intertidal life
on our shores, as part of international Seagrass Watch which covers
150 sites around the world. No experience required, just a passion
for the outdoors and our shores. More details on the TeamSeagrass
blog with FAQ and sign up details. |
 |
 |
Hantu Bloggers are volunteers passionate about diving Singapore and Pulau Hantu. Their goal is to safeguard Singapore's natural marine heritage and raise awareness of Singapore's reefs. More details
on the Hantu Blog with FAQ and sign up details. |
 |
 |
Our Singapore Reefs are a community of divers who love Singapore's coral reefs.
They aim to promote awareness about Singapore's marine biodiversity, provide a platform for academics, businesses, NGOs and agencies to work together and empower the public with means to conserve and protect Singapore's reefs. More details
on the Our Singapore Reefs facebook page. |
 |
 |
Restore Ubin Mangroves (R.U.M.) Initiative is for all those who care about restoring mangroves to the abandoned aquaculture areas at Pulau Ubin. Everyone who cares about mangroves are welcomed to help in this effort at Ecological Mangrove Restoration. More details
on the R.U.M. Initiative with FAQ and sign up details. |
 |
 |
Blue
Water Volunteers No need to swim, no need to dive, be a
nature guide to introduce ordinary people to the extraordinary coral
reefs of Kusu Island through guided
reefwalks. In collaboration with the Hantu
Bloggers, BWV also conducts Reef Xplore, guided dives at Hantu
and need volunteer divers. Volunteer divers are also needed for regular
surveys of our coral reefs in the Southern Islands. More details on
the volunteer programme at the Blue
Water Volunteers website.
|
|
|
Intertidal Watch Intertidal Watch is a citizen science programme that to collect quantitative data of intertidal biodiversity over the long term to facilitate science-based decision-making and management of Singapore's coastal areas.
Volunteer activities for Intertidal Watch include intertidal quantitative and qualitative surveys, outreach, design of outreach materials and data management. More details on the volunteer programme on the NParks website. |
|
 |
Sisters' Islands Marine Park Volunteer with the Sisters' Islands Marine Park as a guide, diver or citizen scientist where you can help to collect scientific information or raise awareness on our natural heritage! More about the Sisters Islands. More details on the volunteer programme on the NParks website. |
|
 |
Chek
Jawa Public Walks
be a nature guide to introduce visitors to this seldom-seen intertidal
zone with six rare ecosystems. Organised by NParks. More about
Chek Jawa. More details on the volunteer programme on the Ubin
NParks website. |
|
|
Pulau
Ubin
Ubin NParks runs many activities that volunteers can help with. From work on forests, birds and bats, to shore clean ups. Also guiding at Chek Jawa and other parts of Ubin.
More about Pulau
Ubin and
Ubin events.
|
|
 |
Sungei
Buloh Wetland Reserve
Be a nature guide to introduce the mangroves and wetlands. Volunteers are also needed for scientific studies and other
projects at the Reserve including reforestation, photography, writing
and more. Details on the volunteer programme on the NParks website. |
|
 |
Singapore
Botanic Gardens Astonish city folks with this guided
walk through one of Singapore's oldest patch of rainforest just
5 minutes from downtown Orchard Road! Volunteers are also needed in guiding at the
National Orchid Garden, patrolling the Gardens, help build up the
Gardens' Plant Records, horticultural work and herbarium work. More
details of the volunteer programme on theNParks website. |
|
 |
Bukit
Timah Nature Reserve Be a nature guide at this fascinating
guided walk through Bukit
Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore's oldest and largest rainforest.
Volunteers also needed for reforestation and other outreach programmes. More
details of the volunteer programme on theNParks website. |
|
 |
Lower
Peirce Trail Be a nature guide on this guided
walk on the Lower Peirce Trail,
boardwalks through a secondary forest with a short section along the
reservoir for a look at freshwater wildlife. Volunteers
also needed for reforestation and other outreach programmes. More
details of the volunteer programme on the NParks website.
|
|
 |
MacRitchie
Prunus Trail Be a nature guide at this guided
walk on the MacRitchie Prunus Trail,
a series of boardwalks along the MacRitchie reservoir for a look at
freshwater wildlife and surrounding secondary forest. Volunteers also
needed for reforestation and other outreach programmes. More
details of the volunteer programme on theNParks website. |
|
 |
Love
Our MacRitchie Forest Be a nature guide at this guided
walk at MacRitchie. Love Our MacRitchie Forest was launched in
response to the LTA's announcement of the new Cross Island Line MRT
which is proposed to run through the fragile ecosystem that is MacRitchie
Forest. The volunteers hope that by sharing how special MacRitchie
Forest is to Singapore, the public will find reasons to love it, and
lend their voice to save it. More details of the volunteer programme
on the Love Our MacRitchie
Forest website. See what their volunteers are up to on their facebook
page. |
|
 |
ACRES
(Animal Concerns Research and Education Society) Acres aims to foster
respect and compassion for all animals; improve the living conditions
and welfare of animals in captivity; educate people on lifestyle choices
which do not involve the abuse of animals and which are environment-friendly.
Acres also operates the 24-hour Wildlife Crime Hotline (9783 7782)
which provides an avenue for those who know of anyone who illegally
owns or trades in exotic animals, to blow the whistle on these wildlife
traders and owners. In the past two years, the work of Acres has led
to the rescue of more than 170 wild animals. Volunteers are needed
to run Acres outreach and other activities. You can also support by
becoming an Acres member. More details on the Acres
website. |
|
 |
Toddycats
at Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum Be a guide at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and various
nature places in Singapore. Help in outreach efforts through public
exhibitions and school talks. Design and construct exhibitions and
webpages. Assist on research collections, surveys, workshops and mentoring
of school projects. Details of the volunteer programme
on the Toddycats blog. |
|
 |
International
Coastal Cleanup Singapore It's NOT just about picking up
litter! Volunteers with the International Coastal Cleanup collect
data about marine debris which is not only unsightly but also kills
marine life. Plastic floats forever in our oceans, breaking up into
smaller and smaller pieces that eventually get eaten and enter our
seafood! Part of a long-term global effort, the Singapore data helps
us better understand and hopefully resolve the ever growing issue
of marine debris. More details of the volunteer programme on the News
from the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore blog |
|
 |
Waterways
Watch Be part of a special volunteer group that conducts
River Patrols and public education efforts to monitor, restore and
protect the aesthetics of six rivers and canals: the Singapore River,
Kallang River, Geylang River, Whampoa River, Pelton Canal and Rochor
Canal. Although the rivers and canals are now biologically clean and
alive, problem such as littering and illegal disposal of waste still
exists. More details of the volunteer programme on the Waterways
Watch website. |
|
 |
Nature
Society (Singapore) Be a guide at walks for Society members
at various nature places in Singapore. There also also other opportunities
to help out in nature activities. More details of the volunteer programme
on the NSS website.
|
|
| |
Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots programme
were developed by Dr. Jane Goodall in her efforts to improve the environment
for all living things. To support Dr. Jane's vision, get involved
with our Roots & Shoots programme, awareness events, primate research,
public and school talks, or operations. Volunteers are needed on a
part-time, full-time, or ad hoc basis. Please visit www.janegoodall.org.sg
or email info@janegoodall.org.sg
for more information.
|
|
|
|
