Activities open to the public are specifically indicated as such. For other events, you may become a member using the membership form or register with the Nature Society representative at any official Nature Society event.For more details,
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BUTTERFLY TRAIL at ORCHARD PILOT PLOT LAUNCH
June 21, 2010.
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The Butterfly Trail at Orchard is a strategic partnership project between National Parks Board NParks), Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) and the organizers, Nature Society (Singapore) (NSS). Initiated by NSS, The Butterfly Trail at Orchard is being created as a sustainable ecological initiative for Singapore. Thiscommunity-led project aims to illustrate Singapore’s focus on urban biodiversity : to ensure we have a balance of cityscape and nature and to protect this as part of the lifestyle for future generations. The trail also aims to serve as a local citizen science program to improve our knowledge of ecology.
Kranji Reservoir Adoption Programme Update (April 2010)
By Dr Ho Hua Chew, Coordinator of Kranji Reservoir Adoption Programme, Conservation Committee
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Caring for what is Familiar
Thoughts from the President ...
Nature News May-Jun 2010
We have just experienced the driest February in Singapore since records were first collected in 1869. Besides the physical discomforts brought about by the dry weather, it was also interesting in that it demonstrated to me the gulf that continues to exist between nature enthusiasts and the general public. This gap is in terms of ecological understanding, and the work that lies ahead in bringing Singapore’s ecological literacy in line with its deeper economic one.
NSS Seeks committed and dynamic
nature lovers for the following positions :
1. Member Programme & Outreach Officer
Working on member-led nature appreciation, restoration
and conservation activities this role requires co-ordination
and management of projects with members and a wide
range of volunteers from schools, communities, corporate
groups and the general public.
2. Project Officer for Butterfly Trail at Orchard
Working extensively with the Project Consultant, NSS
Project Manager, the Society’s Special Interest Groups,
schools and other volunteer groups, applicants should have
a keen interest in nature and work or training experience in
community-based projects and able to support delivery of
projects on tight schedules.
Full details for positions can be found here.
Please email your application to naturesociety@singnet.com.sg. Closing date for application
is 3 May 2010. Interview will be conducted on 8 May 2010.
Kranji Nature Walk: Open to both Members & the Public
Welcome to a nature walk in a remote & beautiful corner of Singapore conducted by the Nature Society under the PUB's ABC Waters Programe. Get away from it all & enjoy the interesting wildlife and the scenic landscape of Kranji Reservoir and the countryside.
Kranji Reservoir Adoption Programme Update
By Dr Ho Hua Chew, Coordinator of Kranji Reservoir Adoption Programme, Conservation Committee
One year has elapsed since the launch of NSS’ Kranji Reservoir (Marsh) Adoption under the PUB’s ABC Waters Programme. Much has transpired during this time and here are some updates:
Kranji Nature Walks
Twelve nature walks at Kranji Marsh were conducted for the whole of 2009. Six of these trips were organized for the public as part of our outreach programme; four walks were conducted for NSS members; the remaining two trips were for corporate and social organizations. All trips had an average of 20 participants. The Education Group also held a “Fun at Kranji Marsh” session for 25 NSS Kids and their parents/caregivers, totaling 70 participants in all.
URGENT Attention Please!
Wanted: Your Vision for Singapore in the Next 50 Years.
If you want a say on how Singapore should shape up in the next five decades, the opportunity has come. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has just launched its public consultation exercise for the review of its Concept Plan 2011.” (The Straits Times, 24 Jan 2010)
Here is an opportunity for all NSS members to provide the popular-based support to our conservation efforts by giving just 10 minutes of your time.
For this current government feedback channel, go to: http://www.ura.gov.sg/conceptplan2011
The relevant feedback section of this feedback are:
1) Enhancing the Quality of Our Living Environment
2) An Endearing Home
3) Sustainable Growth for Singapore
The questions are broadbased but nevertheless relevant to all those who are concerned to conserve as much as possible of the nature areas that remain in Singapore. Given the dreadful environmental crisis we are now thrown in, there is no time to hesitate.
Ho Hua Chew
Conservation Committee
Online Nature Watching at the NSS Nature Forum
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Need expert help to find out the name of a tree that is flowering all over Singapore? Want to learn what are the best books to help identify an insect you photographed? Wonder which DSLR camera and accessories are best for taking close-up nature photos? Want to view albums from an NSS event you attended? There is a new website you can click, to connect with like-minded folks to share and help each other with any nature-related topics – The NSS Nature Forum. |
The NSS Nature Forum can be accessed from the NSS home page by clicking on the ‘Forum’ link at the top.
We already have more than 100 members and 1,000 postings. What are you waiting for? Register for an account now and experience nature right from your PC!
From Shopping Trip to Nature Trip
The Sunday Times, January 24, 2010
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| NSS BTO Homepage |
"The Nature Society of Singapore is planning to launch in June a 4km-long butterfly trail from the Botanic Gardens to Fort Canning, which they hope will attract a variety of winged beauties.
Can butterflies thrive among the
glitzy malls and tall office buildings
in Orchard Road?
Yes, says a group of nature lovers
and butterfly enthusiasts who are
working to create an urban butterfly
trail.
Spearheaded by the Nature Society
of Singapore (NSS), the 4kmlong
trail starts at the gates of the
Botanic Gardens, continues down
Orchard Road and ends in Fort Canning
Park.
It is envisioned as a self-guided
walking route that will lead you to
15 butterfly spots.
These include tucked-away
green oases between the malls, little-
known rooftop and private gardens,
and public green spaces.
Visitors will get specially produced
maps to help them navigate
their way. ..."
Read the full article here (3.7Mb PDF).
Results of the 26th Singapore Bird Race 2009
| # |
Team Name | Num of Species |
| Full Race | ||
1 |
Pedal Power | 106 |
2 |
Drongos | 101 |
3 |
Malay Pot-bellied aughing-thrushes | 85 |
4 |
Oriole | 63 |
5 |
Aquilas | 38 |
| Sunday Race | ||
1 |
Babblers | 87 |
2 |
Falconets | 76 |
3 |
Wildbirders | 75 |
4 |
birders & 1 hot chick | 52 |
5 |
The distracted Novice | 28 |
Congratulations to all the winners and participants. Thanks to our generous sponsors
from Swarovski Optik and its agent Cathay Photo.
Lastly to my co-arbitrator Alfred Chia
for all the invaluable help.
Reported by Kenneth Kee
Co-arbitrator
Singapore Bird Race 2009
Email : trogon@pacific.net.sg
Read the full 26th bird race report here.
Don't Hold Races in Sensitive Nature Reserves
Published on Oct 31 in Straits Times Forum
I WAS surprised and disappointed to discover that the route of the recently concluded North Face 100 race passed through the core of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Meeting the needs of recreation is important and having a healthy and active nation is a good thing. However, in a small country like Singapore, selecting appropriate venues for any given recreational activity requires understanding, sensitivity and a well-informed populace.
The ultramarathon and training run routes for the race were inappropriate for the following reasons:
- The law: The National Parks Board Act calls for the protection of the plant and animal life of our nature reserves. While NParks is encouraged to promote recreation in nature reserves, the caveat 'appropriate' is applied. Are high-impact runs an appropriate form of recreation in sensitive nature areas? The Parks and Trees Act also discourages such disturbances.
- Sustainability: Our rich biodiversity, already squeezed into a limited area, may be harmed by the noise, compaction and erosion that accompany high-impact activities. I have studied the Bukit Timah forest for 20 years, and my professional opinion is that high-impact activities held in high biodiversity areas are not conducive to their conservation.
- Limited resource: The largest remaining remnant of the rainforests that clothed Singapore for thousands of years is a mere 0.6 sq km area in the heart of Bukit Timah, the very area the ultramarathon route traversed. Mistreating such a limited resource base is not a prudent way to preserve the crown jewel of our natural heritage.
The North Face's website says its 'associates, athletes and customers are...dedicated to preserving the places they explore'. Evidence suggests that reality can fall short of corporate ideals.
Shawn Lum
President
Nature Society (Singapore)
Eagles at Changi Airport: Don't gun them down
Published on Oct 30th in Straits Times Forum in response to " Gun Club roped in to keep birds out of Changi airport" article.
I REFER to Monday's report, 'Gun Club roped in to keep birds out of airport'. Shooting the white-bellied sea eagles is not the answer to forestall bird strikes at Changi Airport. It is simply not justified. They are not migratory but are in fact a resident birds numbering fewer than 50 in the wild in Singapore, not thousands.
As the largest bird of prey here, the white-bellied sea eagle was chosen to front our $10,000 Bird Series note to symbolise Singapore's strength, adaptability and independence. They are more often seen fishing in the Strait of Johor and soaring above Pulau Ubin. Changi Airport, with its open grasslands, does not offer food for them and there are no tall trees there for them to perch.
We have recorded smaller migratory kestrels hovering at the perimeter of the airport and the odd common buzzard during the migration period, but none of the resident raptor birds gathers in large numbers there. If this shooting is, as reported, the last resort and a case of need-to shooting, why has this become a regular assignment for the Singapore Gun Club? The Republic of Singapore Air Force has successfully used a remote toy truck to scare away birds in its airfields by broadcasting loud noises and calls of birds in distress.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) should at least consult other stakeholders before giving clearance to the shooting of non-pest bird birds. The Nature Society (Singapore) and other organisations are more than ready to help discuss solutions, once the true nature of problems is identified, but we feel there is much that needs to be clarified to the public by the Singapore Gun Club, Changi Airport Group and AVA if the report was accurate.
Alan OwYong
Chairman,
Bird Group
Nature Society (Singapore)
NOTICE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18TH, 2009 AT 7.00 PM
AT
MOE Dairy Farm Adventure Centre,Dairy Farm Road
(close to junction with Upper Bukit Timah Road)
The purpose of the Meeting is to discuss and vote on the following Resolution: “That the Proposed Revised Constitution of the Nature Society (Singapore) accepted at the EGM of August 4th, 2007, be revised as per the document dated October 1st, 2009, and headed “Changes required by the Registrar of Societies to the Proposed Revised Constitution accepted at the EGM of August 4th, 2007” A copy of the document referred to in the Resolution is attached. A soft copy of the Proposed Revised Constitution accepted at the EGM of August 4th, 2007, and subsequently accepted by the Commissioner of Charities, MCYS, is available here
Margie Hall,
Honorary Secretary,
October 1st, 2009.
The Story of Semakau Landfill
For those who are interested in the wildlife of both the Semakau Landfill and Pulau Semakau with its rich inter-tidal life on the western shore, this is an excellent introduction with plentiful of beautiful photographs. It covers a wide range of the biodiversity of the area --- mangrove plants, birds, butterflies, corals, inter-tidal life-forms, etc. For a commemorative book on the Semakau Landfill, a system of waste dumping and its history, a rather grey and dull subject, the coverage of the biodiversity is extra-ordinary, taking up to 2/3 of the book pages.
Presentation of 2009 Singapore Blue Plan to Minister for Environment and Water Resources
July 8, 2009The 2009 Singapore Blue Plan was presented to Associate Professor Ya'acob Ibrahim, Minister for Environment and Water Resources, in his capacity as Co-Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Sustainable Development (www.sustainablesingapore.gov.sg) on Sat 23 May 2009 at Envirofest 2009 (envirofest.wordpress.com), HDBHub. Associate Professor Ya'acob was the Guest of Honour at the event. Francis Lee, Chairman, International Year of the Reef 2009 presented the 2009 Singapore Blue Plan to Associate Professor Ya'acob together with other members of the 2009 Singapore Blue Plan present at the event: Professor Peter Ng, Director, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Dr Beverly Goh, Singapore Institute of Biology, Marine Biologist Chua Sek Chuan, Ms Ria Tan, Mr N Sivasothi and Mr Farid Hamid. The Blue Plan Team will continue to engage Government, NGO and Private Sectors in implementing the recommendations of the 2009 Blue Plan.
>> The 2009 Singapore Blue Plan (3.0MB, pdf)
State of Singapore's Wild Birds and Bird Habitats : Results of the Annual Bird Census 1996-2005
May 23, 2009Edited by Lim Kim Chuah and Lim Kim Seng . This book contains the results of the second decade of the 24-year old Annual Bird Census,
conducted by NSS since 1986. Trends of the 33 sites counted and 220 bird birds and 43 families recorded are also provided.
The Avifauna of Singapore
May 23, 2009Written by Lim Kim Seng , with colour photos from well known bird photographer Jimmy Chew and over 100 line drawings from bird artist and birder, Yong Ding Li.
This book condenses data from Singapore Avifauna, the Bird Group's newsletter, and other known published and unpublished sources, to
provide a complete summary of the status, distribution, breeding seasonality, migration patterns, conservation and museum collections of every wild bird known to have occurred within its territory since records began in the 19th Century.
Both books are now available off the shelf from Nature’s Niche@Orchidville, Sentosa Nature Shop, Botanic Gardens Library and Nature Society (Singapore) office.
Singapore Red Data Book Second Edition Out!
First produced in 1994, the Singapore Red Data Book has become an indispensable reference
for the conservation efforts of governmental and non-governmental organisations.
It is also a valuable resource for students and researchers of Singapores biodiversity.
A collaborative product of NSS, NUS & Nparks,
this new edition, updated and expanded, is even more relevant and authoritative
with a wide range of expert contributors and vibrant images of the threatened birds.
As the world becomes increasingly concerned over the effects of climate change
and its impact on the future of our natural environment,
this book will galvanize more people towards nature conservation
and play a key role in shaping the long term future of Singapore's biodiversity.
Available at NSS Office & at Nature Niche.
Price: $20 excluding GST.
Sponsored by SHELL.