MEDIA FACTSHEET C – NParks’ Biodiversity Week The United Nations has designated 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This year’s local theme, “25 Years of Community Stewardship in Nature Conservation”, celebrates the involvement of our partners in nature conservation – volunteers, citizen scientists, Friends of the Parks, nature advocacy groups, academics, and many others. The theme also encourages the community to join us as stewards of our natural heritage and help conserve our rich biodiversity. To commemorate IDB, NParks has organised a suite of events and activities during Biodiversity Week (18 May to 3 June) to encourage the community to explore and encounter nature in . These programmes are taking place in schools, and our parks, gardens and nature areas, and involves partners from schools, research institutions, and nature- interest groups. For more information on Biodiversity Week, please visit: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversityweek.

Festival of Biodiversity

Date/Time Programme Venue

2 and 3 June Festival of Biodiversity Open space between 10am to Organised in collaboration with the Biodiversity MRT 10pm Roundtable, the annual Festival of Biodiversity and Tampines celebrates Singapore’s biodiversity. Through games, Mall crafts, interactive booths and exhibitions, the Festival aims to enthuse the general public about conserving our natural heritage.

For more information, visit https://www.nparks.gov.sg/festivalofbiodiversity

Citizen Science Programmes

Date/Time Programme Venue

18 to 30 May Nationwide BioBlitz 33 parks and gardens across 8.00AM - BioBlitz sessions will be taking place in various Singapore 12.00PM locations across Singapore, including schools, parks and community gardens. Interested participants can look forward to working alongside naturalists and researchers to document the flora and fauna that can be found within a particular area. This will aid in habitat enhancement for the various nature sites.

Page 1 of 8 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as at 17 May 2018.

18 to 21 May Intertidal Watch Various sites around Singapore Learn to identify common marine animals found in Singapore and help to document the inhabitants of the intertidal zones around our shores. Data collected contribute to long-term monitoring of our coastal environments.

19 to 27 May Butterfly Watch Various sites around Singapore Between The Butterfly Watch is a citizen science initiative 9.30am to organised as part of the NParks Community in Nature 3pm (CIN) Biodiversity Watch Series, to get everyone involved in collecting valuable information about the butterflies in our parks, gardens and nature reserves. For more information, visit https://www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversity/community-in- nature-initiative/nparks-butterfly-watch 27 - 29 May Marine BioBlitz Various sites around Southern Marine Bioblitz is an opportunity for experienced Islands scuba divers to help document the biodiversity of Singapore, with opportunities to interact with marine biologists. Participants must have valid SCUBA certification, local diving experience, and must commit to regular surveys before they can register and join the programme.

Community in Bloom Garden Tours On selected days during the Biodiversity Week weekends, selected gardens maintained by the community will be opened up to public for visits and guided tours. Register for guided tours by writing in to [email protected].

Date/Time Programme Venue

19 May Butterfly Garden Open House 213 Petir Road (NEW) 9.00AM - 12.00PM Want to learn about butterflies and the plants they love? Visit the Bukit Panjang Butterfly Garden and get some tips on how to grow and maintain your very own butterfly garden! Tour 1 – 9 am Tour 2 – 10 am

Page 2 of 8 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as at 17 May 2018.

Registration is required for the tours but not the open house. Email [email protected] to sign up.

19 May Primary School Guided Tours (NEW) 1 Hougang Street 93 9.00AM & Come check out the Hougang Primary School Garden, 10.00AM featuring native plants, butterfly-attracting plants and a Singapore 534238 herb garden! Tour 1 - 9.00AM Tour 2 - 10.00AM Registration for the guided tours is required. Please email [email protected] to sign up. 26 May Bukit Panjang Primary School Open House (NEW) 109 Cashew Road 9.00AM - Want to learn about butterflies and the plants they 11.00AM love? Visit Bukit Panjang Primary School Butterfly Garden and get some tips on how to grow and maintain your very own butterfly garden! Tour 1 – 9 am Tour 2 – 10 am Registration is required for the tours but not the open house. Email [email protected] to sign up.

26 May National Junior College Guided Tours (NEW) 37 Hillcrest Road 9.00AM - Have you ever wanted to plant a biodiversity-attracting 11.00AM garden? Visit National Junior College to learn about the insects and birds that visit their garden, and how NJCians use native and exotic plants to create habitats within their school! Tour 1 – 9 am Tour 2 – 10 am Registration for the guided tours is required. Email [email protected] to sign up.

2 June Bishan- Park Open House Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, next to Ficus Green 10.00AM - Do some butterfly-spotting at the beautiful butterfly 12.00PM garden at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, next to Ficus Green. Nearest carpark: The park will be open for visits for all to learn more about Singapore 569930 planting a butterfly garden! Registration is not required.

Page 3 of 8 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as at 17 May 2018.

3 June Chung Cheng High School Guided Tours (NEW) 50 Goodman Road 8.30AM & Come down to the Chung Cheng High School and look Singapore 439012 9.30AM out for the butterflies and dragonflies found in their Garden! Find out from the young gardeners how to maintain a garden for biodiversity. Tour 1 - 8.30AM Tour 2 - 9.30AM Registration for the guided tours is required. Please email [email protected] to sign up.

Guided Walks Date/Time Programme Venue

19 May Explore Urban Biodiversity @ one-north Park one-north Park 9.00AM - Join us as we take you on a scenic morning stroll to explore 10.00AM the amazing flora and fauna of one-north Park.

To sign up for the trail, please e-mail Zestin at [email protected] with the e-mail header "One- North Park Nature Walk". Do indicate how many people will be joining the walk, and if there are any special requirements.

19 May What's In My Mud? Sungei Buloh Wetland 9.30AM - Join us for an interesting guided walk featuring the lesser Reserve, 11.00AM known creatures of the mudflats in Sungei Buloh Wetland Wetland Reserve. Centre 19 May Nature Appreciation Walk at Nature Reserve Bukit Timah Nature 9.30AM - A guided walk conducted by volunteers along the South View Reserve 10.30AM Path, during which participants can experience nature in its pristine form and learn about flora and fauna found in the Reserve. 19 May Native Plants and Its Uses HortPark 9.30AM - Get inspiration from unique and native plants, their uses and 11.00AM habitats. Along the way, take a look at our themed-garden displays, as our guide takes you on an enjoyable tour on Gardeners' Day Out. Registration is required at the HortPark Visitors' Services Centre, up to 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. 19 May Garden Visitors in Our Gardens HortPark

Page 4 of 8 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as at 17 May 2018.

9.30AM - Curious to find out more about the animal visitors to your 11.00AM garden? Join us for this tour on Gardeners' Day Out that will introduce you to common garden visitors both big and small! Registration is required at the HortPark Visitors' Services Centre, up to 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. 19 May Trees of the Fort Tour Fort Canning Park 10.00AM - Did you know that a Kapok tree can grow up to 40 metres 11.30AM high? Let our nature-loving guides bring you on a journey to find out more about our heritage trees and other beautiful trees like the Kapok, flaky Gelam and magnificent Madras Thorn! 26 May What's In My Water? Sungei Buloh Wetland 9.30AM - What's that swimming in the water? A fish, a worm, an insect Reserve, 11.00AM or a crocodile? Join us for an interesting morning walk to Wetland know the creatures and plants that live in and around the Centre water edges of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. 26 May Nature Appreciation Walk at Windsor Nature Park 9.30AM - Windsor Nature Park is the gateway to the rich biodiversity of 11.30AM the largest nature reserve in Singapore – the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. Through this guided walk, participants will gain a greater appreciation of Singapore's rich natural heritage and the need to conserve it for future generations. 26 May Mangrove Guided Walk Park 9.00AM - Led by our experienced guides, this guided walk allows you 11.00AM to get up and close with the local residents of the mangroves while walking on the boardwalk. Keep your eyes peeled for Grey Herons taking flight, Giant Mudskippers trying to blend in with the environment, or Vinegar Crabs climbing up trees. Learn about the different root systems of the hardy mangrove trees in the mangrove forest at , one of the last few mangrove forests in Singapore.

To register, email: [email protected] 26 May Learning Forest Tour Singapore Botanic 9.00AM - Join us to explore habitats ranging from a freshwater forest to Gardens, 10.00AM a lowland rainforest at the Learning Forest via a network of Tyersall Gate boardwalks and elevated walkways! Registration is required at Tyersall Gate Visitor Services 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Page 5 of 8 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as at 17 May 2018.

26 May Heritage Tour Singapore Botanic 9.00AM - For over 150 years, Singapore Botanic Gardens has been Gardens, 10.00AM the birthplace of South East Asia's rubber and orchid Gate industries. A walk through Tanglin / Heritage core of the Gardens will evoke memories of bygone days when ladies strolled through the Gardens with parasols and in long skirts. Highlights of the tour include the Bandstand, sculptures in the Gardens and the Heritage Trees. Registration is required at Tanglin Gate Visitor Services 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. 26 May Race Against Time - Science behind a Botanic Garden Singapore Tour Botanic Gardens, This session introduces the research facilities at Singapore Tanglin Gate Botanic Gardens such as the Library of Botany & Horticulture, Orchid & Micro-propagation laboratory, and the Herbarium.

Highlights of this 45-minute tour include a visit to the Herbarium, which stores physical records of reference plant materials, some dating as far back as 1790. In addition, learn about our hybridisation programme for orchids, a process introduced back in 1930’s by the then Director, R.E Holttum. Registration is required at Tanglin Gate Visitor Services 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. 26 May & Eco-life @ Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park 2 June Eco-life is a two-hour tour that introduces Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and the biodiversity found in the River Plains through 9.00AM - the use of interactive exploration themes and activities. Have 11.00AM fun working together to complete worksheets, conduct surveys, and participate in photo hunts with your family! Tour 1 - 26 May Register at: https://bit.ly/2jUNX7t Tour 2 - 2 June Register at: https://bit.ly/2rJYpSK 2 June Healing Garden Tour Singapore Botanic 9.00AM - The Healing Garden showcases over 400 varieties of plants Gardens, 10.00AM used medicinally. It is laid out thematically relating to Nassim Gate components of the body such as the head, respiratory and reproductive systems. The Garden is designed as a tranquil retreat with medicinal plants traditionally used in South East Asia as the main focus.

Page 6 of 8 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as at 17 May 2018.

Registration is required at Nassim Gate Visitor Services 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. 3 June Fun Walk along the Hill Park 9.00AM - Take your family on a leisure stroll through the Southern 10.00AM Ridges, a soothing sanctuary of greenery that is not only steeped in history but also home to some of Singapore's most exciting flora and fauna. Highlights of the tour include the Henderson Waves, SembCorp Forest of Giants, Forest Walk and the Singing Forest. Register at: https://bit.ly/2wBGun0

Volunteering Opportunities Date/Time Programme Venue

26 May Habitat Enhancement - Creation of Floating Islands Point (NEW) Park 8.00AM - 11.00AM Join us for a morning of fun as we create floating islands to enhance the habitat at ! Participants will be divided into groups and each group will be creating their own floating island. Register at: https://bit.ly/2GgoOwX

Others Date/Time Programme Venue

2 June West Marsh Visit with the ' Marshals' 7.30AM - The West Marsh, within the Core Conservation Area of Kranji 11.00AM Marshes, is a special area designated for the conservation of marsh birds. To minimise disturbances to these shy animals and other wildlife, access to this section is restricted to guided activities organised by NParks and its partners. Several times a year, visitors can access this section when NParks volunteers (the 'Kranji Marshals') conduct station-guiding. They will be stationed at the hides and strategic locations to help you appreciate the beauty of the marsh habitat.

Registration not required. 18 May - 3 Biodiversity Week for Schools Various June schools Throughout the week, a variety of activities targeting students across of different age groups will be carried out, including Green Singapore

Page 7 of 8 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as at 17 May 2018.

Wave, Playtime with Shelly the Hawksbill Turtle, and BioBlitz for Schools. 19 May Gardeners' Day Out HortPark 9.00AM - HortPark's signature event, Gardeners' Day Out promises an 3.00PM entire day of gardening and lifestyle activities for everyone. Favorite highlights include Gardeners' Market, Food Bazaar, free talks and demonstrations, free garden tour of HortPark and kids' activities like storytelling and handicrafts!

Page 8 of 8 For more information, please contact Toh Wan Ting (9107 4938). Information accurate as at 17 May 2018.