What's on this week for nature activities in Singapore

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

15-21 Oct 07

18 Oct (Thu): Film screening "Expedition Linne"
The Linnaeus Expedition: An adventure on Seven Continents

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. Come join us in all the events and activities, at the Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens. All are welcome!

More details on the National Biodiversity Reference Centre website
and a review of the film on the ashira blog

Time: 6pm
Venue: Function Hall (Level 1, Botany Centre) Singapore Botanic Gardens

19 Oct (Fri): Film screening "An Inconvenient Truth" (2006)
part of the NUSSU Green Carnival

This movie offers a look at former Vice President Al Gore fervent crusade to halt global warming's deadly progress by exposing the myths and misconceptions and focus on how to help save the planet from irrevocable change. With wit, smarts and hope, An Inconvenient Truth brings home Gore's persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue - rather, it is the biggest moral challenges facing our global civilization and we ultimately hope to let viewers bring home this message.

Time: 6.45pm - 8.50pm (Doors open at 6.00pm)
Venue: LT28, Faculty of Science
Website: http://www.greencarnival.com/info/movies.html

19 Oct (Fri): Beautiful Native Orchids of Myanmar
Gardens' Talk Series

Talk by Dr Saw Lwin, CEC Member of Myanmar Floriculturist Association. Myanmar is the only country in South-East Asia with snow-capped mountains, which make up the southern tips of the Himalayas. The forests of Myanmar still cover more than 50% of its total land area. Due to its varied climatic conditions, diverse habitats and wide altitudinal variation, Myanmar is endowed with a great diversity of wild orchid species. To date, the Forest Department of Myanmar has officially recorded 841 native orchid species. However, the actual number could easily exceed 1,000 species. Amongst the native orchid species, Paphiopedilum wardii (endemic to Myanmar), Renanthera imschootiana and Dendrobium cruentum are listed in CITES as World Endangered Orchid Species. The past, present & future situations of orchids in Myanmar, legal & illegal orchid trade and native orchid conservation programmes will also be presented in this talk.

Time: 4-5pm
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Garden's Briefing Room Event
Website: http://www.nbrcnparks.org/events.asp
Contact: Botanic Gardens Visitor Services 6471 7361

20 Oct (Sat): Feet To Walk at Changi Beach Park
and walk the dog session

Feet To Walk, a new programme of morning brisk walking at parks, parks connectors and nature reserve. Learn to briskwalk the right way!

Time: 8am-10.30am
Start point: Changi Beach Park Car Park 5
End point: Changi Beach Park Car Park 7
Website: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/feet_to_walk/

20 Oct (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/

20 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

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: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

20 Oct (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)

21 Oct (Sun): Feet To Walk at Bukit Panjang Park Connector

Feet To Walk, a new programme of morning brisk walking at parks, parks connectors and nature reserve. Learn to briskwalk the right way! Highlights include fruit trees.

Time: 8am-10.30am
Start point: Bt Panjang Park (Footbridge after Saujana Road)
End point: Bt Panjang Park (Footbridge after Saujana Road)
Website: http://www.hpb.gov.sg/feet_to_walk/

21 Oct (Sun): Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West – an old walk with a new twist, with Shawn Lum and the Plant Group
for NSS members only

The Plant Group has made a number of walks to this lovely park in the past, most recently a little more than a year ago. This time however, we'll take a detailed look at the trees in the park, and see how this little park might fit into the overall scheme of plant (and animal) conservation in Singapore. We'll cover topics such as plant dispersal, forest succession, and conservation "corridors". This picturesque park may give us insights into some very basic conservation issues.

Time: Meet at 9.30am in front of Ang Mo Kio Community Library.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 Oct (Sun): Birdwatching at Semakau with Willie Foo
for NSS members only

A good time to visit Semakau for migratory birds and migrant surprises. Resident attractions are: Great-billed Heron. Pacific Reef Egret, Malaysian Plover, etc. Possible sighting of rare migrants such as Chinese Egret, Oriental Pratincole, etc. Booking: Willie Foo; E-mail: Willie.Foo@kbr.com. Please note: Identity card or Passport mandatory for boarding. Strictly for members only – 1st come 1st served basis. Children under 12 not allowed (NEA regulation).

Time: Meet at 7.30am at the West Coast Ferry Terminal (near Republic of Singapore Yacht Club.) We will return to mainland by 2pm. Free parking at Carpark 2 off the West Coast Highway. Please come with a non-refundable $25 fee for boat & administration. Send your cheque to NSS office by 12 October with the AP Form. Number of persons for trip: 11 or 22 or 33.
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 Oct (Sun): Mount Faber Ramble
with the Nature Ramblers led by Rehan Yusoff
for NSS members only

Explore the maze of pathways at this popular park before it is redeveloped. You may discover some historical sites and landmarks, while spotting some interesting birds/mammals. Enjoy the fantastic view of the harbour. This 8km/4hr ramble ends at Telok Blangah Hill Park. Booking is not required.

Time: Meet at 8am, at the junction of Mount Faber Rd and Lower Delta Rd (near bus-stop no. B12).
Website: http://www.nss.org.sg/
Contact: To join the NSS, email contact@nss.org.sg or call 6741 2036.

21 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: 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.
Contact: info@sbwr.org.sg or call 6794 1401

22-24 Oct (Mon-Wed): Green Carnival at NUS

Environmental visits, movie screenings, fashion shows, exhibits and more! See their website for details and updates.

Website: http://www.greencarnival.com/info.html