habitatnews : Messages : 235-264 of 264

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Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.
Webpage: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Tue 25 Aug 2005 – NYP & NAS’ "Battle at Bukit Chandu"
An animated ten minute short film 'Battle at Bukit Chandu' is going to be
shown on 9pm, Tuesday, 25 October 2005 on Arts Central as part of “Noise on
Screen”.

Heritage SG writes, “A Gold Award winner at the 2005 Crowbar Awards
organised by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore ,
this film illustrates one of the last significant battles fought in
Singapore before British Forces surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Army.

Based largely on war diaries and historical accounts collected by the
National Archives of Singapore (NAS), this film was developed by a group of
Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) students with NAS's support

We found it to be a real labour of love and an outstanding effort from the
NYP students. The turmoil and raw emotions in the battle scenes were very
well-portrayed through the illustration and animation."
More details at: http://tinyurl.com/eybat

“Great Hornbill photographed at Telok Blangah Heights"
In early October 2005, Damien Chng spotted a Great Hornbill (Buceros
bicornis) at Telok Blangah Heights, block 72. He followed it for several
hundred meters before managing to capture a pair of lovely photos.

See photos, details and more about wild and escaped hornbills in Singapore
at: http://tinyurl.com/7z9vw

If you have records or photos of hornbills seen anywhere in Singapore, we’d
like to know. Email me at sivasothi@.... Include details of date, time
location, identity, photos and any behavioural observations, thanks!

Joseph Lai added (24 Oct 2005),
“Just to add to recent postings, I saw it on the ledge abutting the
water-tank of Blk 407 Sin Ming Ave last week. It flew in from the direction
of Bishan Park. It stayed briefly without making any call, and took off
south towards Lakeview. It was alone.

It could be the same one I saw twice on separate occasions in Bukit Timah
Nature Reserve early last month. Regulars there told me it is often seen. It
really made such a racket there! I 'aak' and it 'aak' back. Quite fun : )
Perhaps it is hungry and can't find enough food, and thereby flying here and
there in the urban jungle instead : (

Visit Habitatnews for more.
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

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Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
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For recent nature and environment news in Singapore, see also:
WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
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Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (8)

#236

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Wed Nov 9, 2005 3:00 am
Subject: "Living Shores of Singapore"; Be a mnangrove guide in 8 hours; Bukit Timah's name unveiled, at last!

sivasothi

Offline

Today: Talk on the “Living Shores of Singapore”. By Ria Tan
Zero experience? Try station guiding the mangroves in just 8 hours!
Joseph Lai unveils the secret of Bukit Timah’s name!

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Wed 9 Nov 2005: "Life on the Edge: Living Shores of Singapore"
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Ria Tan will share her photos and adventures on the Southern Shores to
Changi and beyond on:

Wed, 9th November 2005: 7.30pm (today)
Geylang East Community Library
Map: http://tinyurl.com/98dpz

This talk provides a leisurely introduction to our shores, and the photos
Will bring to life the wonderful marine life marvellous shores that are
still very much alive today.

The near loss of Chek Jawa from a lack of awareness about the area prompted
Ria to visit and document as many of our shores as possible, during the
extreme low-water spring tides when the secrets of the shores are exposed.

For the past three years, she and a tireless team of volunteers have
conducted still photography and filming during the unearthly hours of the
early morning dictated by the tide. She will share some 600 photos that will
cover all of Singapore's shores form those efforts.

Take this chance to learn about our islands and inter-tidal habitats and be
astounded by the diversity and beauty of our very own shores! Most of these
shores are unprotected, so get a glimpse of them!

Hosted by Nature Society (Singapore).

Link: http://tinyurl.com/bvdc6

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Zero experience? Try Station Guiding in the Mangroves!
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Clueless about mangroves? No background in natural history? No worries - if you are
keen to contribute to nature, try your hand at Station Guiding. You can be
trained to be part of a mangrove guiding team in just 8 hours, and celebrate
Sungei Buloh’s 12th Anniversary.

Training and guiding dates

Sun 20 Nov: 2pm - 5pm (content training)
Sun 27 Nov: 9am - 12pm (review & guiding techniques)
Wed 30 Nov: 7pm - 9pm (other preparations)
Sun 04 Dec: 10am - 2pm (event)

Signing up
If you are interested, Send an email to: bulohguide@...
Include:

Full Name
Handphone number
Email address
Can you attend all four sessions?
Any background in mangroves, biology or guiding?

You will receive confirmation upon registration.

Link: http://tinyurl.com/bf8mp

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How Bukit Timah got its name - unveiled
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Joseph Lai is feeling elated - he declares "Temak's Legitimacy Out of The
Woods.".

"For as many years as one can remember, the root word for 'Timah' had been
tossed up in speculation between two possible Malay words -- 'timah' for
tin, or 'temak' for Shorea roxburghii. But none of these were found to be
satisfactory...

"Temak's legitimacy actually lies in one of the annal of botanical records
for Malaya ... In 'The Malayan Forest Records - No.5; Malayan Plant Names,
J.G. Watson, 1928'; both Shorea macroptera and Shorea bracteolata were
recorded as 'Temak'."

"... it would be safe to assume that the recorded name 'temak' was correctly
applied. If so, then any of these two trees present on Bukit Timah could
have given their name to the hill. And since both species can also found in
the rain forest of Singapore Botanic Gardens, it is quite logically followed
that the entire Bukit Timah district got its name from 'temak' as well!"

Link: http://tinyurl.com/88mbo

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More at the Habitatnews webpage
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
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Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
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For recent nature and environment news in Singapore, see also:
WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
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#237

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:48 pm
Subject: �Do your bit for the environment, MM urges.�

sivasothi

Offline

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Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.
Webpage: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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In case you missed it!

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ST, 8 Nov 2005: “Do your bit for the environment, MM urges.”
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“Do your bit for the environment, MM urges.” By Aaron Low. The Straits
Times, 08 Nov 2005. Start worrying now - world leaders have to work at it
and so do Singaporeans, he says.

THE man who takes the long view when thinking about Singapore's future, is
once again training his sights on an important long-term issue: the
environment.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's message to Singaporeans during Clean and
Green Week, which began on Saturday: Look at the big picture and understand
how the world's environment will change in half a century. Singaporeans must
do their bit - now - to conserve the environment.

Speaking during a tree-planting ceremony in Queenstown on Sunday evening, he
said that earlier that afternoon, he was in Orchard Road viewing a photo
exhibition by French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

The exhibition, which he found 'very instructive, quite terrifying', is a
collection of 120 photographs highlighting the ecological destruction
wrought by the over-exploitation of natural resources.

Mr Lee, the force behind Singapore's Garden City concept and decade-long
drive to clean up the rivers here, was struck by the disproportionately high
consumption of resources over the years and reeled off a list of figures to
show this.

From 1950 to today, the human population has doubled to 6.5 billion, but
production of goods and services has gone up seven times, while the amount
of fish caught and meat produced has gone up five times.

Energy and oil consumed multiplied seven times and carbon emissions went up
four times in the same period, resulting in a rising number of natural
disasters around the world.

'If we go on at this rate, I believe mankind is in jeopardy...before 100
years, 50 years, there will be many problems,' he said.

One problem was the 'consume and throw away' society. The Americans, for
example, consume 10 times more per person compared to Europeans or others.

India and China now have a combined population 12 times the size of the
United States. When both countries start to consume as much as the Americans
in 50 years' time, the problems will be intensified.

'We have to start worrying. Every year it gets a little worse. The leaders
of the world have got to do something,' urged Mr Lee.

Singapore must do its bit as well - by having sustainable growth: 'Whatever
we consume, do not increase the pressure on land and the environment.'

He also called on Singaporeans to be conscious of the environment and not
pollute the water supply. Throwing rubbish into drains, for example, will
pollute reservoirs such as the one in Marina, expected to be operational by
2009.

'Why must we do that? Don't do that; we are going to drink that water,' he
told residents at Tanjong Pagar GRC.

Plans to open up Bedok Reservoir for recreation can be replicated in Marina,
but it 'requires a population that is trained not to pollute its own
environment'.

Nature Society president Geh Min was delighted that Mr Lee spoke about
environmental issues.

'I always thought he was a man of vision and action. Hopefully, he can do
this on an international level because when he talks, people listen and
things move,' she said.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings.
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Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
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For recent nature and environment news in Singapore, see also:
WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
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#238

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Mon Nov 28, 2005 4:58 pm
Subject: 1.Sg Buloh Annv Walk; 2.The Singapore Naturalist; 3.Updates

sivasothi

Offline

Sungei Buloh Anniversary Walk, 4th December 2005
The Singapore Naturalist – tracking nature blogs in Singapore
Updates – Nature Photography, Old Changi, Mountain bike ride

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1. Sign up for the Sg Buloh Anniversary Walk, Sun 04 Dec 2005: 10am
http://tinyurl.com/78l7q
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Join the Raffles Museum Toddycats for a Sunday morning walk at Sungei Buloh
Wetlands Reserve (SBWR) on Sunday 4th December: 10.00am.

We celebrate SBWR's 12th anniversary with a very special walk - throughout
the route, a cheery and enthusiastic team of station and group guides will
regale you with stories about the mangroves. They will introduce to you the
tree that give you charcoal and attap chee, point out tree-climbing crabs,
mudskippers, barnacles and snails from the boardwalk, and archer fish,
halfbeaks, garfish and green chromides in the river. Get a glimpse of
migratory birds form the hides and throughout, we'll keep an eye open for
the park's huge and prehistoric looking monitor lizards!

To register, send an email to: buloh@... with your full name and
the number in your group. You will receive a reply confirming your email.

The walk is suitable for children. You can take TIBS No. 925 from Kranji MRT
right to the park. Meet us at the Visitor Centre at 10.00am; park entry
charges apply ($1 adult, child $0.50). Be prepared for rain.

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2. The Singapore Naturalist – tracking nature blogs in Singapore
http://www.kickrss.com/thesingaporenaturalist
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Habitatnews is happy to introduce The Singapore Naturalist, a webpage that
tracks updates of dedicated nature blogs and mailing list newsletters in
Singapore. http://www.kickrss.com/thesingaporenaturalist

Hop over to the webpage to discover which nature blog is being updated in
Singapore. You will only see a few lines of each entry, and if your interest
is tickled, click the title or the “read more...” link to open the actual post.

Why blog?

Habitatnews adopted a blog mechanism in Feb 2004 because it allowed
information to be published more quickly and personably compared to static
webpages.
Today, at least a dozen other dedicated natural history blogs in Singapore
have emerged, sharing field notebooks, personal observations of wildlife,
photographic highlights from field trips, resource pages and amusing
anecdotes.

When are these blogs updated?

Keeping track of updates is difficult since new posts are irregularly
provided. Many blogs depend on actually going for field trips, and finding
the energy to write afterward!

Few people use RSS feeds which actually provide immediate notification of
new posts. Meanwhile WildSingapore has been industriously highlighting
updates.

An RSS feed aggregator

Recently, several new services have emerged that allow the easy compilation
and presentation of RSS feeds. Raffles Museum Toddycat Kenneth Pinto
suggested KICKRSS – the simple interface is appealing and it displays a
primer of the post, not all of it, which is ideal. Although it is still in
Development, it works well enough, so here it is!

Besides viewing the webapge, new RSS subscribers need only use the single
feed that The Singapore Naturalist provides instead of linking to 21 feeds:
http://feed.kickrss.com/thesingaporenaturalist

The majority of readers still prefer mailing list updates of course, but for
the rest, this site is just the beginning of a community sites that we hope
to setup.

Feeds included in The Singapore Naturalist (21)

Blogs (16): Bird Ecology Study Group Nature Society (Singapore), Cycling in
Singapore, Habitatnews, KLOG, Labrador Park, Meetings of the NUS
Biodiversity and Ecology Journal Club, Pulau Hantu - A celebration of marine
life, Pulau Ubin Stories, Raffles Museum News, Raffles Museum Toddycats!,
The Big Trees, The Biology Refugia, The Blue Tempeh, The Exotic Species of
Singapore, Ubin Volunteers, WildFilms. Public newsletters using Yahoo!
Groups (5): ecotax, focusubin, habitatnews, wildsingapore,
wildsingapore-weekly.

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3. Other updates
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
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Check the webpage to read about the Photographic Exhibition by the Nature
Photographic Society (Singapore), Photos of old Changi on Webshots and
NParks' first-ever mountain bike event.

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Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
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For recent nature and environment news in Singapore, see also:
WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
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#239

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Thu Feb 2, 2006 1:46 pm
Subject: Sun 12 Feb: 7am - Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk

sivasothi

Offline

Please send an email to Quek Kiah Shen at pasirpanjang@...
Include your full name,
handphone number, and
the number of friends/family who will be accompanying you.

#240

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Tue Mar 7, 2006 3:47 am
Subject: Museum Open House and Pedal Ubin rides

sivasothi

Offline

#241

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Thu May 25, 2006 12:01 am
Subject: Dinosaurs! Symposium, Turtle hatchling rescue, NBRC webpage

sivasothi

Offline

#242

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Mon May 29, 2006 2:19 pm
Subject: MacRitchie - Bukit Timah briskwalks 2006 and Chek Jawa walks for Jul 2006

sivasothi

Offline

#243

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Tue Jun 20, 2006 2:31 am
Subject: Sat 24 Jun 2006: 3pm - Sea turtles biology, conservation, wildlife trade etc (Year of the Turtle Seminar)

sivasothi

Offline

#244

From: "N. Sivasothi" <otterman@...>
Date: Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:12 pm
Subject: 1. Pasir Panjang Heritage Walk this Sunday; 2. Win dinosaur models in a blog contest

sivasothi

Offline

#245

From: "N. Sivasothi" <sivasothi@...>
Date: Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:04 am
Subject: 1. Raffles Museum on tv, 2. new nature blogs, 3. webpage news by email, 4. ecotax, 5. herp field asst

sivasothi

Offline

A cheery Happy New Year everyone!

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Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.
Webpage: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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1. Explore Singapore! features Raffles Museum
http://tinyurl.com/ymfod9

Four museums including the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS will
be featured in tonight’s episode of Explore Singapore! Tune in tonight at
Channel 5, 7.30pm (Thu 11 Jan 2007).

Explore Singapore! is a six-episode heritage series that "features a
mind-bogglingly wide array of museums, galleries and institutions. The
storyline is "interwoven with its factual content, which marks a departure
from the traditional textbook interpretation of history."

"Moses' character, former museum curator Professor Heng, comes across
English art student Sara Thompson (Elizabeth) who has come to Singapore in
search of her long-lost mother. He offers to assist Sara in exchange for the
use of illustrations she created in his book on local museums."

See: Raffles Museum News for details: http://tinyurl.com/ymfod9

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2. New blogs about nature in Singapore
http://tinyurl.com/ymny4y
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Habitatnews introduces three new blogs about nature in Singapore:

Urban forest: a blog by Science undergraduate Siyang, he provides a nice
variety of posts about his explorations of nature in Singapore. He is
posting quite regularly now and is a welcome addition to the nature blogging
scene.

TeamSeagrass: this programme has been recently launched and the blog will
focus on the team's trips and activities as well as news about seagrasses.
There are two to three trips a month, so expect regular postings and lovely
photos as well.

Art in Wetlands is blog featuring the works of Tham Pui San, a prolific
artist and volunteer at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve. It is maintained by
staff Linda Goh and will also feature art workshops and works of art by
volunteers and students. The prizes that up for grabs are some amazing resin
models that museum staff themselves are buying!

The feeds have been added to The Singapore Naturalist which includes feeds
from 21 blogs and 5 newsletters; never miss out on the news: see:
http://www.kickrss.com/thesingaporenaturalist

For more details see Habitatnews at: http://tinyurl.com/ymny4y

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3. Email subscriptions to Habitatnews and Raffles Museum News
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Both Habitatnews and Raffles Museum News are updated more often than this
newsletter. But some of you love email newsletters more than webpages or
feeds. So I still have to send this out once in awhile.

Happily, last November, a lovely solution emerged:
Feedburner’s email subscriptions!

Subscribers receive just one email the day after new content appears! And
it comes complete with photos!

All you have to do is subscribe – so please visit Habitatnews and Raffles
Museum News; look at the top of the left sidebar, where it excitedly
announces “New! Email subscription,” key in your email and click!
http://news.rafflesmuseum.net/
http://habitatnews.rafflesmuseum.net/

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4. Seminar notifications by Ecotax
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Biodiversity seminars held during office hours and meant for a naturalist
audience are announced through Ecotax. We have had talks on Linné, tropical
rainforests and the enemy release hypothesis all of a sudden in just two
days.

If you are able to attend these talks, which are held during office hours,
you can subscribe by sending an email to:
ecotax-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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5. Volunteer Herp Field Assistant wanted
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Jennifer Sheridan from University of California, San Diego is working on a
PhD project in Singapore and needs field assistants. Email her if you are
interested in picking up some field experience with frogs; she has a lot of
field experience!

Volunteer Herp Field Assistant

A field assistant is needed for amphibian work in Singapore, to start
immediately lasting through 31 March (ending date subject to change). This
is part of a PhD project examining reproductive variation in wide-ranging
frog species. Duties will include: early morning searches for and counting
of eggs, capturing, measuring, and marking adults, and recording frog calls
at night. Field assistants will be required to work 2-3 days per week.
Exact days are flexible but must be spread over the week.

The field sites of this project are the Mandai Orchid Garden and Singapore
Zoological Gardens, with other sites as needed. Entrance to field sites
will be arranged by the project coordinator, and all field work is approved
by the required institutions.

Successful applicants must have the ability to delicately handle small
organisms (several of our study species are less than 25mm), good eyesight
in low light conditions, be able to work independently and as part of a
team, and an enthusiasm for frog field work in adverse weather. Past field
or outdoor experience is a plus but not essential.

Please submit a CV, current list of references, and cover letter expressing
your interest in this position to me via e-mail at jasheridan@...

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Habitatnews
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For nature and environment news in Singapore, see:
WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
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#246

From: N Sivasothi <sivasothi@...>
Date: Thu Feb 1, 2007 11:09 am
Subject: Sun 11 Feb: 7am � 12pm: Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative Walk; new book on colugos

sivasothi

Offline

Please email me at pasirpanjang@...
Include your full name,
handphone number, and
the number of friends/family who will be accompanying you.

You will receive a reply.

Registered participants will meet the Raffles Museum Pasir Panjang Guides at
the University Cultural Centre at 7am.

Visit the Pasir Panjang/Kent Ridge Heritage Webpage at:
http://pasirpanjang.rafflesmuseum.net/
more information about the ridge.

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New book: "Colugo: The Flying Lemur of South-east Asia"
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In 1990, I encountered my first Colugo in the wild when an individual glided
across my path in Bako National Park, Sarawak. What a wonderful encounter!

On my return to Singapore, I discovered that they were actually quite Common
here! Since then many friends have shared their encounters in Singapore
forests with this strange, gliding mammal that both Alfred Russel Wallace
and Sir Stamford Raffles commented on. In 1999, a photo in The Straits
Times captured Mr Mah Bow Tan's poignant encounter with a colugo at Lower
Peirce!

However, many remain mystified about the biology of the animal. Author
Norman Lim, editor Morten Strange and several photographers have now
contributed to an 80-page book on the animal. Stimulated by Norman’s NUS
zoology honours thesis, this book is a significant compilation about this elusive
gliding mammal.

Special discounted price – until 3rd Feb 2007, the book is will be sold at a
special discounted price of S$20 (without DVD) and S$30 (with DVD) at
Nature's Niche (naturesniche.com) bookstore at the Singapore Botanic
Gardens.

The Raffles Museum's office in Faculty of Science (S6-03-01) has extended
the discount until Friday, 9th February 2007.

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Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For recent nature and environment news in Singapore, see also:
WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)

#247

From: "N. Sivasothi" <sivasothi@...>
Date: Thu Mar 8, 2007 4:51 am
Subject: Sat 10 Mar 2007: Raffles Museum Public Gallery Open; 14-16 Mar: Wildlife Asia: Free Youth events

sivasothi

Offline

Meet the Filmmakers
Me and the Environment
From filmmaker to zoologist
Talent of Tomorrow
Inspiring the Future (iChat)
Youths Speak Out
Wildlife & Environmental Film Festival
Filmmaking Workshop (S$20)
Introduction to Editing (S$20)

For all youth programmes, download the programme information and
registration PDF form at:
http://www.wildlifeasia.org/WA%20Youth%20events.pdf
And register with youth@...

See the Youth Programme webpage
http://www.wildlifeasia.org/Fest-youth.html

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Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For recent nature and environment news in Singapore, see also:
WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)

#248

From: "N. Sivasothi" <sivasothi@...>
Date: Tue May 8, 2007 5:17 am
Subject: Pedal Ubin, MacRitchie-Bukit Timah briskwalks and International Museum Day tours in May-June

sivasothi

Offline

Cycling in Ubin: Sat 02 Jun 2007.
MacRitchie – Bukit Timah briskwalk: Sun 03 & 17 Jun 2007.
International Museum Day: The MIA trail: Sat 26 May 2007.
International Museum Day: Bus tours: Wed 23 May 2007.

Be updated: check the museum blogs for more news!
- Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.rafflesmuseum.net/
- Raffles Museum News: http://news.rafflesmuseum.net/
More events will be announced in the next newsletter very soon!
- The Linnaeus tercentenary celebration,
- Raffles Museum IMD lunch time tours at the Public Gallery,
- Announcement of “The Natural Heritage of Singapore,” 2nd Edn.
- Announcement of “The Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Singapore.”

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Sat 02 Jun 2007: Pedal Ubin: Free guided cycling trip of Pulau Ubin
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The Raffles Museum Toddycats lead a relaxing four hour ride on Pulau Ubin
four times a year. Called Pedal Ubin! this ride introduces the participant
to the heritage and natural history of Pulau Ubin. Offered since 1998, Pedal
Ubin is a fun-filled and informative way to experience this very special
island.

Don't worry if you're a novice cyclist. As long as you can balance yourself
on a bike, you can sign up for Pedal Ubin!

More details on the Raffles Museum Pedal Ubin webpage:
http://pedalubin.rafflesmuseum.net/

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Sun 03 & 17 Jun: MacRitchie to Bukit Timah briskwalk
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Raffles Museum Toddycats lead an energetic briskwalk for the public from
MacRitchie (MR) to Bukit Timah (BT) every June. The 2-hour walk is a
chance to experience the ambience of the morning's sounds and fresh smells
and a beautiful sunrise.

Led by a group of regular walkers, this walk different because for once we
don’t observe the specifics of our forests, but instead use this chance to
exercise amidst a pleasant and rare natural setting that we should treasure
in Singapore.

You should be used to taking short walks at least and wear a proper pair of
walking shoes. And wake up early enough to reach MacRitchie carpark at
6.45am as we leave on time! You will reach the summit of Bukit Timah hill by
9.00am, and will be rejuvenated with the rest of your Sunday still ahead of
you.

All are welcome and you can register for the walks at the MR-BT Briskwalk
webpage and find out details about the route, preparation, trail etiquette
and photos from previous walks:
http://briskwalkers.rafflesmuseum.net/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Museum Day celebrations
http://tinyurl.com/23o5fb
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the week following the International Museum Day on 18 May 2007, museums
and galleries in Singapore will be offering special tours and events. The
IMD07 webpage will “go live” by Wednesday and you can find out more then:
http://www.museums.com.sg/imd07/

Meanwhile, let me highlight two tours that the Raffles Museum is offering
together with other partners of the Museum Roundtable.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highlight: The M.I.A. Trail, 26 May 2007: 5.30pm-midnight
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Archives of Singapore (NAS) and Raffles Museum of Biodiversity
Research, NUS (RMBR) have combined forces once again to treat participants to a
special evening tour on on 26th March 2007:

Raffles Museum's Public Gallery,
Kent Ridge Park (including the view of southern islands and the canopy walk),
Reflections at Bukit Chandu and
Memories at Old Ford Factory.

The museums will be specially kept open for the MIA tour and guides from NAS
and the Raffles Museum’s Pasir Panjang guides will be on hand to provide an
enriching experience. The tour can take two bus loads and begin at 5.30pm
and 6.30pm and will end around midnight.

To register, see Raffles Museum News: http://tinyurl.com/23o5fb

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Museum Roundtable Bus tours, 19 – 25 May 2007
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sat 19 May: Northeastern Discovery
Sun 20 May: Singapore Story
Tue 22 May: Viva Life!
Wed 23 May: University Jaunts
Thu 24 May: City Tales
Fri 25 May: World Explorer

However, details of the University museums tour are already available:

Wed 23 May 2007: University Jaunts
This tour will visit the Chinese Heritage Centre in NTU and the Raffles
Museum of Biodiversity Research in NUS and the NUS Museums. Participants
will meet at Jurong East MRT station; first come-first served basis, 40
participants per bus maximum. Start times are 9.30am, 10.30am, 12.30pm,
1.30pm.

See Raffles Museum News for more details: http://tinyurl.com/23o5fb

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For nature and environment news in Singapore.
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#249

From: "N. Sivasothi" <sivasothi@...>
Date: Tue May 15, 2007 12:12 pm
Subject: Biodiversity of Singapore Symposium II (2007): Tue 22 May 2007: 9am - 12pm

sivasothi

Offline

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#250

From: "Sivasothi N." <sivasothi@...>
Date: Mon Jul 9, 2007 1:31 am
Subject: Chek Jawa is open for boardwalk visits 7 days a week now; Seagrass talk tonight; news from Raffles Museum

sivasothi

Offline

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.
Webpage: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nature Society Gold Medal presentation for conservation/environment thesis
& talk on seagrass by Sasi Nayar
Mon 09 Jul 2007: 7pm, Singapore Botanic Gardens
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tan Teck Guan Medal Presentation to Sasi Nayar
& Talk on Seagrass Death in Adelaide
Mon 9 July 2007: 7.00pm to 8.30pm
Gardens Briefing Room @ the Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre

All are welcome!

The Nature Society (Singapore) Tan Teck Guan Gold Medal was awarded to Sasi
Nayar for the best Masters and Doctoral Thesis from National Tertiary
Institutions of Singapore for the period 2003-2006 on a subject related to
Nature Conservation or Environmental Protection/Improvement. Sasi's name
will be inscribed on the 20-gram 24 carat gold medal with the society's logo
on the reverse.

At this event, Sasi Nayar will speak on his current research in Adelaide
with the South Australian Research and Development Institute: "What killed
the seagrasses off the Adelaide coast in Southern Australia?"

For more details see the Habitatnews blog:
http://tinyurl.com/2v83b3

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chek Jawa visitor facilities are open: welcome back everyone!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No more restrictions to visiting Chek Jawa,
and no need to trample on the marine life, hooray!

"Chek Jawa Wetlands" was officially declared open by Mr Mah Bow Tan on the
morning of Saturday, 7th July 2007, and the public can now visit the Chek
Jawa boardwalk (Mangrove and Coastal Loops), the Jejawi tower, House No. 1
and a viewing jetty without a booking between 8.30am - 6.00pm any day!

Visitors at the launch got a beautiful view of the rare Banded Krait as
well! This snake is triangular in cross section and has greatly contrasting
colours. It cooperated by hanging around the mangrove boardwalk for all the
groups of visitors to take photos. We feature a couple of nice ones that
were posted up very quickly.

See the Habitatnews blog:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg//index.php?phrase=cj070707

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News from the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Yeo Keng Loo who served the museum for 27 years, passed away suddenly on
23 June 2007. He had a heart attack while playing badminton with his
buddies. Museum staff found on on Monday and informed department staff and
volunteers and posted news of his passing online at:
http://snipurl.com/yeokl_rip

We are very saddened by his passing for he was a kind and gentle man. Some
former students, colleagues and researchers emailed their condolences which was
shared with the family.

Raffles Museum News has shifted to this new URL: http://news.rafflesmuseum.net/
Chua Keng Soon has taken over and the blog now uses the free Wordpress blog engine.

The museum was acknowledged for its contributions to the Chek Jawa Wetlands
during Saturday’s launch. It was one of the members of the Chek Jawa Working
Group that had met infrequently with NParks over the development at Chek Jawa
since 2002.

I am leaving the museum for teaching duties at the department. I came over
From the department in 1999 and am going back to the Systematics & Ecology
Lab. I will be co-teaching four modules in biodiversity, ecology and marine
biology in the term which begins in August. Wish me luck!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitatnews http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
By N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...)
For more news, visit the webpage or
Signup at the sidebar to subscribe to the regular summaries by email.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For nature and environment news in Singapore.
See WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#251

From: "Sivasothi N." <sivasothi@...>
Date: Wed Sep 5, 2007 5:12 am
Subject: Coastal Cleanup - NUS recruiting its team today; Remember Chek Jawa film this Sat; Wireless @ Sg Buloh; New book on seashores; Coastal Cleanup video on the web

sivasothi

Offline

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.
Webpage: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. ICCS – NUS recruits today for the event on Sat 15 Sep 2007.
2. Remember Chek Jawa at the Asian Film Symposium.
3. Wireless at Sungei Buloh
4. New book on seashores, “Remember Chek Jawa”.
5. International Coastal Cleanup Singapore on Google video

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Coastal Cleanup Singapore (15 Sep 2007) – Recruitment in NUS
http://tinyurl.com/ysb8wu
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUS Staff and students are urged to respond to this call to participate in the
annual International Coastal Cleanup Singapore on Saturday 15th September 2007.
Registration is limited so please hurry!
For details, see Habitatnews () or register at the Team NUS webpage:
http://tinyurl.com/ysb8wu

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remember Chek Jawa - Asian Film Symposium, 10 Sep 2007: 6.30pm
http://rememberchekjawa.wordpress.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the mdst of the many efforts that eventually contributed to the deferment
of reclamation at Chek Jawa, independent film maker Eric Lim found himself
drawn to one group a bunch of ordinary, urban Singaporeans rallying to a
call to help in a tiring, muddy and incomprehensible biodiversity survey, at
a time when all hope had been lost.

Shot between 2001 - 2004, Eric made "Remember Chek Jawa," to chronicle the
volunteer survey and also provides a brief glimpse of some of the activities
that led to deferment of reclamation at Chek Jawa.

The film is the Closing Film at Asian Film Symposium and you can catch the
movie on Saturday, 10th September 2007: 7.30pm at Cathay's Picturehouse.
Visit the film webpage for the trailer, background and link to ticket
purchase! http://rememberchekjawa.wordpress.com/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless @ Sungei Buloh
http://tinyurl.com/3avgzw
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve has wireless. Lim Cheng Puay and I tried it
out on the morning of the launch and were pleased with the performance. We
did imagine ourselves writing papers amidst the ambience of the mangroves
but realised we hardly spend time there relaxing, its usually to plant
mangrove trees, clear marine trash or engage in research. Still it's a
possibility one day!

Besides the possibilities for interactive school work to guide repeated
student visits, the public will discover it means being able to access "The
Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore" from a wireless-enabled handphones!

The online version was prepared for the web by Ria Tan in 2001 and she had
ensured these were fast loading pages for a slow modem. In today's world of
handphone access, this means being able to refer to the pages and pictures
when you find yourself scratching you head over a familiar plant or insect!

See: http://tinyurl.com/3avgzw

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New book on seashores, “Private Lives” available at Raffles Museum
http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/merchandise/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In early August, a new book was launched by the Minister of the Environment
and Water Resources (MEWR), Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, that reveals the private
lives of the seashore life in Singapore. Titled "Private Lives," it was
penned by Peter Ng, Shirley Lim, Leo Tan and Wang Luan Keng.

It retails at $35.00 (hardcover) and $22.00 (paperback) and is available at
the Raffles Museum at Blk S2, Level 3 (below Science Library in the Faculty
of Science, NUS. You can also purchase the latest guidesheets there,
"Between the Tides" and "Mangroves: The Submerged Forests" ($5 each).

The earlier guidesheets were to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Fascinating
Insects of Singapore and Birds: Masters of Flight.

For more details, see: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/merchandise/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wesley Wong's video, "International Coastal Cleanup Singapore"
http://tinyurl.com/39poop
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wesley Wong produced this video of the International Coastal Cleanup
Singapore based on the cleanup at the Kranji-Buloh mangroves in September
2004. He did this rather painlessly, inserting comments based on information
from the ICCS webpage and the "Battling the Curse of Marine Litter" article.

I uploaded it to Google Video and anyone can download it to use for education;
its a nice clip for newcomers, thanks Wesley!

See: http://tinyurl.com/39poop

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
For nature and environment news in Singapore.
For internet resources on nature in Singapore, see:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/links/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#252

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Wed Dec 5, 2007 3:56 am
Subject: Sun 09 Dec 2007: 8am-10.30am, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve 14th Anniversary Walk

sivasothi

Offline

Hello friends,

Raffles Museum Toddycats are guiding at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve this Sunday in celebration of the reserve's 14th birthday.

If you want to join us for a relaxing, funny and informative walk, do visit the webpage to register (note: start time = 8am+): http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

We can only take 60+ this year so if you are keen, sign up early. Everyone is welcome so bring along friends and family.

Your guides: Oi Yee, Airani, Anand, Ya Wen, Grace, E-Hong and Otterman.

Cheerio!

Sivasothi

#253

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Mon Feb 4, 2008 7:29 am
Subject: Sun 10 Feb 2008: 7am-12pm - Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative walk

sivasothi

Offline

http://tinyurl.com/27exsw

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.
Webpage: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative walk,
Sun 10 Feb 2008: 7am - 12pm

With the Pasir Panjang Heritage Guides of the

Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS

In collaboration with the National Archives of Singapore

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every year we commemorate the Malay Regiment's defense of the ridge and share with visitors the stories about the Battle of Pasir Panjang as well as the history, geography, flora and fauna that first brought us to this ridge.

All are welcome. Interested individuals should be physically fit enough to walk 3km at a moderately quick pace. We will reach the Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC), the World War II Interpretative Centre via Kent Ridge Road, The Gap and Kent Ridge Park.

To register,

Please email me at toddycats@...
Include your full name,
handphone number, and
the number of friends/family who will be accompanying you.

You will receive a reply.

Registered participants are to meet at the University Cultural Centre at 7am.

Visit the Pasir Panjang/Kent Ridge Heritage Webpage at:
http://pasirpanjang.rafflesmuseum.net/
for more information about the ridge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php
Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...),
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For recent nature and environment news and events in Singapore, see: WildSingapore (http://www.wildsingapore.com/)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#254

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Sun May 25, 2008 2:14 pm
Subject: MIA trail (31 May 2008); Pedal Ubin (7th June 2008)

sivasothi

Offline

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.

http://imd.rafflesmuseum.net/

To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

International Museum Day: MIA Trail

Sat 31 May 2008: 5.15pm, 6.15pm

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As part of International Museum Day celebrations,

The Raffles Museum Toddycats (Pasir Panjang Heritage Guides)

present a unique walk in collaboration

with the National Archives of Singapore

Discover secrets of Singapore's biodiversity at the Raffles Museum's Public Gallery, stroll through picturesque Kent Ridge Park to

Reflections at Bukit Chandu, which marks the WWII defense of the ridge by the Malay Regiment.

This is a unique opportunity to visit the two galleries and

a nature park at night with experienced guides!

Only 80 places.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pedal Ubin (nature/heritage on bicycle):

Registration open for Sat 7th June 2008

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Raffles Museum Toddycats (Pedal Ubin Guides) have opened up their quarterly Pedal Ubin ride once again. Offered to the public since 1998, the relaxing four hour ride is suitable for novice cyclists and introduces the heritage and natural history of Pulau Ubin to participants. We will get off our saddles to take a close look at the island's flora, fauna and heritage sights.

Registration

Please visit the Pedal Ubin webpage to sign up for the public ride on Saturday 7th June 2008. Note that you have to be at Changi Point Ferry Terminal by 8am!

Only 40 places left.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For recent nature and environment news and events in Singapore,

see: Ria Tan's WildSingapore: http://www.wildsingapore.com/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

#255

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:51 am
Subject: Pasir Panjang Heritage Trail, Heritage Fest, Lim Chu Kang mangrove cleanup

sivasothi

Offline

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.

To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heritage Fest: Pasir Panjang Heritage Trail

Sat 19 July 2008: tours at 8am, 9am

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage Fest 2008 asks "Who's your hero?" So the Raffles Museum
of Biodiversity Research (NUS) and Reflections at Bukit Chandu (NAS)
have decided to invite you on a 4-hour walk with the Raffles Museum
Toddycats. They have plenty of stories to share with you about their
heroic candidates - wildlife, residents and famous battle heroes.

Two walks will be conducted, on Saturday 19th July 2008 at 8am and
9am. The walks last about four hours and will include visits to Raffles
Museum's Public Gallery, Kent Ridge Park and Reflections at Bukit Chandu.

For registration and more details, please see:
heritagefest.rafflesmuseum.net/
45 places left.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heritage Fest 2008: 12 - 27 Jul 2008

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
My friends at the Education & Outreach Division of the National Heritage Board have sent us all an "Invitation to the Singapore HeritageFest 2008, 12 - 27 July 2008, "Who's Your Hero?"

"The Singapore HeritageFest is a nationwide festival held annually in July since 2004. It celebrates our multicultural heritage and through that, raises the level of understanding and appreciation for our heritage and history. The festival this year celebrates and remembers our Singapore Heroes. These are people who have contributed to Singapore both in big and small ways - the many ordinary and usung heroes, and the heroes in all of us that together make up the unique Singaporean story.

In conjunction with the festival, we have lined up many fun-filled yet, educational festival activities and programmes: there is something for everyone at the Singapore HeritageFest. Come discover and celebrate your heroes with us and the heroes amongst us! For more details, visit the festival website: www.heritagefest.org.sg or call the festival hotline 6736 0503.

See you and your family and friends soon at our festival events!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lim Chu Lang mangrove cleanup, Sat 19 Jul 2008: 8am

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raffles Museum Toddycats have decided to conduct a cleanup to reduce the plastic debris at Lim Chu Kang mangroves, one of our precious and unique patches of mangrove forests in Singapore.

Want to join us? We need help and can arrange transport out of NUS.

See: http://snipurl.com/lck-19jul2008

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For recent nature and environment news and events in Singapore,

see: Ria Tan's WildSingapore: http://www.wildsingapore.com/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

#256

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Mon Aug 11, 2008 1:49 pm
Subject: Pedal Ubin, Richard Corlett seminar, Cyrene Reef exhibit, dolphin carcass and horseshoe crab rescue

sivasothi

Offline

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.

To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pedal Ubin Registration Open

Sat 06 Sep 2008: 8.30am (Pulau Ubin)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedal Ubin Sep 2008 is open for registration. The Raffles Museum

Toddycats invite you to join them on their quarterly Pedal Ubin ride.

Offered to the public since 1998, the relaxing four hour ride is suitable

for novice cyclists and introduces you to the heritage and natural history

of Pulau Ubin.

For registration and more details, please see the Pedal Ubin webpage:

40 places left

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Richard Corlett on "The Science of Seed Dispersal",

Friday 15th Aug 2008: 4pm (LT20)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Richard Corlett is back in Singapore and announcing his return to the

Department of Biological Sciences (he was with the former Department

of Botany until 1987) is a seminar on seed dispersal.

He speaks with fascination of a subject that had Charles Darwin

experimenting with seed-eating fish fed to herons! Another enthusiast

is Singapore's own Henry Ridley, who produced a classical (must read)

synthesis based to a large extent on his experience as Director of the

Botanic Gardens in Singapore.

These days dispersal biology attempts to address the issue of dispersal

limitation (not all seeds reach favourable sites) and the confounding

extinction threat of many animal dispersers.

The revived science is now putting numbers on the speculations of

Darwin, and Richard promises "it's still cool stuff."

For more details see: http://is.gd/1mMr

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cyrene Reef exhibit at Raffles Museum's Public Gallery

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore's Natural Heritage - Cyrene Reef: West of Labrador Beach,

between Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island, Cyrene Reef sits right in the

middle of a busy shipping lane, revealing her wonders only during the low

tides. A long long sand bar flanked by lush sea-grass meadows and

lagoons of coral rubble, hide a rich marine diversity.

This new, small exhibit which showcases the beauty of Cyrene Reef and

her inhabitants is the result of a series of recent field trips. A special

feature includes the stars of Cyrene!

See Raffles Museum News: http://tinyurl.com/625f55

This exhibit is held in conjunction with the International year of the Reef

Singapore 2008 celebrations. See the IYOR webpage for notices of more

events and activities: http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dolphin carcass on Labrador Beach,

Mandai horseshoe crab rescue

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A dolphn carcass was reported by a member of the public and NParks

and NEA have had the carcass buried. Thee Raffles Museum will recover

the skeleton at a later time. See Habitatnews: http://tinyurl.com/6xc8ln

Ghost nets are a menace - only 20 of 87 horseshoe crabs saved from

a ghost net in Mandai mangroves. Story and video at Habitatnews:

http://is.gd/1mMQ

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For recent nature and environment news and events in Singapore,

see: Ria Tan's WildSingapore: http://www.wildsingapore.com/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

#257

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:24 am
Subject: Sungei Buloh Anniversary Walk (6th & 7th Dec 2008) and Pedal Ubin (13 Dec 2008)

sivasothi

Offline

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews. Nature-related news for the busy Singaporean.

To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sungei Buloh Anniversary Walk

Sat 06 Dec & Sun 07 Dec 2008

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In celebration of the anniversary of the official opening of Singapore's first
wetlands reserve at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, the Raffles Museum

Toddycats conduct a free guided walk for the public every year for over a
decade.

This year, on the 15th anniversary, the walk is shorter and we are

adding an exciting talk by Otterman ("Adventures in the Mud!") as well

as an examination of mangrove specimens from the Raffles Museum of

Biodiversity Research.

The walk will also be conducted over two days but it starts early at

7.30am (Sat) and 8.00am (Sun).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedal Ubin Registration Open

Sat 13 Dec 2008: 8.30am (Pulau Ubin)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pedal Ubin Dec 2008 is open for registration. The Raffles Museum

Toddycats invite you to join them on their quarterly Pedal Ubin ride.

Offered to the public since 1998, the relaxing four hour ride is suitable

for novice cyclists and introduces you to the heritage and natural history

of Pulau Ubin.

For registration and more details, please see the Pedal Ubin webpage:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For recent nature and environment news and events in Singapore,

see: Ria Tan's WildSingapore: http://www.wildsingapore.com/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

#258

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Sat Feb 7, 2009 7:17 am
Subject: Nature and heritage at Pasir Panjang and Pulau Ubin

sivasothi

Offline

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews

To subscribe, email: habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Battle of Pasir Panjang Commemorative walk,

Saturday 14 Feb 2009: 7am - 12pm

Presented by the Pasir Panjang Heritage Guides of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS in collaboration with the National Archives of Singapore. http://tinyurl.com/hnews-bpp2009

Every year we commemorate the Malay Regiment's defense of the ridge and share with visitors the stories about the Battle of Pasir Panjang as well as thehistory, geography, flora and fauna that first brought us to this ridge.

All are welcome. Interested individuals should be physically fit enough to walk 3km at a moderately quick pace. We will reach the Reflections at Bukit Chandu (RBC), the World War II Interpretative Centre via Kent Ridge Road, The Gap and Kent Ridge Park.

The walk is almost five hours and it can get quite hot so do bring at least 1 litre of water, an umbrella and some sandwiches or snacks.

To register, go to: http://tinyurl.com/pp-14feb2009

You will receive a reply. Registered participants are to meet at the University Cultural Centre at 7am. [Map: http://tinyurl.com/map-nusucc]

For more information about the ridge, you can visit the Pasir Panjang/Kent Ridge Heritage Webpage at: http://pasirpanjang.rafflesmuseum.net/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pedal Ubin Registration Open

Sat 06 Sep 2008: 8.30am (Pulau Ubin)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pedal Ubin Mar 2009 is open for registration.

The Raffles Museum Toddycats invite you to join them on their quarterly Pedal Ubin ride. Offered to the public since 1998, the relaxing, free four hour ride with cheery guides is suitable for novice cyclists and introduces you to the heritage and natural history of Pulau Ubin.

For registration and other details, please see:

the Pedal Ubin webpage, http://pedalubin.rafflesmuseum.net/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews: http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi (sivasothi@...)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For recent nature and environment news and events in Singapore,

see: Ria Tan's WildSingapore: http://www.wildsingapore.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#259

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Wed Mar 4, 2009 3:43 am
Subject: Sat 07 Mar 2009: 4pm at NUS LT31 - Peter Ng on "Life as a Sanctioned Professional Killer"

sivasothi

Offline

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Habitatnews.�Nature-related�news�for�the�busy�Singaporean.

To subscribe, email:�habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talk by Prof Peter Ng

NUS Faculty of Science LT31,�Sat 07 Mar 2009: 4pm

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Life as a Sanctioned Professional Killer"

by Profesor Peter Ng
In conjunction with NUS Faculty of Science�s 80th anniversary celebrations

Prof Peter Ng, Director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, has in recent years become deeply involved in environmental and conservation biology. In the field of biodiversity science, the killing and preservation of animal specimens for research is an integral part of the discipline. If a biologist's desire is to conserve - how should this need to kill be rationalized? An engaging and charismatic speaker, he will explore this seemingly conflicting aspects of his work and leave you with some answers and probably, as is his style, more questions!

Saturday 7th March 2009: 4pm � 5pm
Venue: LT 31 NUS Faculty of Science (next to Science Canteen)
Free Admission, all are welcome

Please register at: http://tinyurl.com/fos80-peterngtalk

How to get there:
Take SBS Bus 95 from Buona Vista MRT station.
Drop off at the second stop after the bus turns in to NUH/NUS.
See map: http://tinyurl.com/nuslt31

ABSTRACT - "In the field of biodiversity science, the killing and preservation of animal specimens for research is an integral part of the discipline. This is all the more so in systematics, which is my forte. In the 25 years I have been in this field, thousands of crustaceans, fish and other animals have been killed in the name of �science�, and as a university professor, I have given my blessings to dozens of students and colleagues to kill even more.�

Does that make me a mass murderer? And what has this killing achieved in my discipline? How does this scale of scientific killing correlate with the so called"biodiversity crisis" facing the planet in which thousands of species are under threat of extinction? If a biologist's desire is to conserve how we rationalize with this need to kill? In a wide ranging talk, these seemingly conflicting aspects will be discussed and hopefully, clarified.

BIOGRAPHY - Prof Peter Ng worked on his PhD at the National University of Singapore part-time while still an education officer with the Ministry of Education in the 1980s. He joined the then Department of Zoology in 1990, and has been involved in biodiversity and systematics research, primarily with crabs and fish over the last 17 years. Recognised as a international taxonomic expert on these groups, he also works on a wide variety of different biodiversity issues and has become deeply involved in environmental and conservation biology.�

He is on the editorial board of over a dozen international journals, as well as being a member of numerous international biological organizations, notably the International Commission for Zoological Nomenclature. He is now director of both the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research and the Tropical Marine Science Institute at NUS.�

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Habitatnews:�http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi�(sivasothi@...)

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For�recent�nature�and environment�news�and events in Singapore,�

see: Ria Tan's�WildSingapore:�http://www.wildsingapore.com/

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#260

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:40 am
Subject: 23 Apr 2009 - The Draft Blue Plan is released by the marine community for public feedback

sivasothi

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Habitatnews.�Nature-related�news�for�the�busy�Singaporean.

To subscribe, email:�habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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The Draft Blue Plan, a civil society document, has been�

released by the marine community for public feedback�

http://snurl.com/giilc

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23 Apr 2009 - "The Draft Blue Plan is a proposal to the Government and�
people of�Singapore from the members and organizations that form�
�International�Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2008 Singapore� � interested�
members of civil�society concerned about the conservation and�

management of�Singapore�s coral reef heritage. Contributions and advice�
from the�leading marine biologists in Singapore have been incorporated.�

It was released today at a launch at the Asian Dive Expo on�

23 April 2009. Members�of the Public can download a copy of the�
Draft Blue Plan here:�http://tinyurl.com/dbp-23apr2009

Comments and suggestions from members of public are invited.�
You may email us at blueplan.singapore@... before the closing�
date, 14 May 2009. The Blue Plan will presented to the Government�
with the collated and edited comments in late May 2009.

Please note that blueplan.singapore@... receives emails only.�

While we will give every opinion/comment due consideration, due to�
human resource constraints, we are unable to respond to queries and�
may not be able to include every comment into the final Blue Plan due�

to editorial considerations.�

Please contact the Marine Conservation�Organisations Listed in�
Annexes B & C of the Draft Blue Plan if you are keen to find out more�
about the wide range of activites and programmes that are being organised.�

We apologize for this inconvenience."�

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Habitatnews:�http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi�(sivasothi@...)

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For�recent�nature�and environment�news�and events in Singapore,�

see: Ria Tan's�WildSingapore:�http://www.wildsingapore.com/

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#261

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Wed May 13, 2009 2:07 am
Subject: 1.Singapore Animal Welfare Symposium, 16 May; 2.MIA Night Trail, 23 May (30 places left); 3. Last chance to comment on The Blue Plan

sivasothi

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Habitatnews.�Nature-related�news�for�the�busy�Singaporean.

http://www.animalwelfare.sg/

To subscribe, email:�habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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The 2nd Singapore Animal Welfare Symposium, 16 May 2009�

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16 May 2009 -�The second Singapore Animal Welfare Symposium will be held at National University of Singapore's Faculty of Science, Lecure Theatre 27 on 16th May 2009. It is co-organised and hosted by NUS Students' Animal Welfare Group and ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society).

Discussion sessions with panelists from NGOs include "Wild Animals in Entertainment" and "Domestic Animal Welfare," �and presentations will be made by the 2008 Animal Protectors Grant recipients. A "Cruelty-Free Bazaar" will showcase �cruelty-free products available in Singapore - an ethical shopper's delight!

The Symposium will also see the launch of the 2009 Animal Protectors Grant, inviting grant applications for projects to help animals.

Register (free) at:�http://www.animalwelfare.sg/

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The MIA Night Trail, 23 May 2009 (30 spaces left)

http://imd.rafflesmuseum.net/
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23 May 2009 -�Discover secrets of Singapore's biodiversity at the Raffles Museum, stroll through picturesque Kent Ridge to Reflections at Bukit Chandu, which marks the defense of the ridge during WWII.

This is a unique opportunity to visit the two museum galleries and a nature park at night with experienced guides from the volunteer group, the Raffles Museum Toddycats!�

For details of sign up, see:�http://imd.rafflesmuseum.net/

Only 30 spaces are left, so register immediately if you want to come.

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Last chance to comment on The Draft Blue Plan, a civil society
document before submission to government�
http://snurl.com/giilc

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

23 Apr 2009 - "The Draft Blue Plan is a proposal to the Government and�

people of�Singapore from the members and organizations that form�
�International�Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2008 Singapore� � interested�
members of civil�society concerned about the conservation and�

management of�Singapore�s coral reef heritage. Contributions and advice�
from the�leading marine biologists in Singapore have been incorporated.�

It was released today at a launch at the Asian Dive Expo on�

23 April 2009. Members�of the Public can download a copy of the�
Draft Blue Plan here:�http://tinyurl.com/dbp-23apr2009

Comments and suggestions from members of public are invited.�
Email your comemnts or thoughts to:�

blueplan.singapore@...�this week.�

The Blue Plan will presented to the Government�with the collated and edited comments in late May 2009 or early June.

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Habitatnews:�http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi�(sivasothi@...)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For�recent�nature�and environment�news�and events in Singapore,�

see: Ria Tan's�WildSingapore:�http://www.wildsingapore.com/

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#262

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Thu May 21, 2009 4:49 pm
Subject: Sat 23 & Sun 24 May 2009 - Envirofest and the handing over of the Blue Plan

sivasothi

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Habitatnews.�Nature-related�news�for�the�busy�Singaporean.

http://envirofest.wordpress.com/

To subscribe, email:�habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Envirofest @�Toa Payoh Hub, 23 & 24 May 2009: 11am - 8pm�

including the handing over of the Blue Plan, Sat 23 May: 3.00pm

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23 & 24 May 2009 -�Envirofest is an annual celebration to share information�

about Singapore's biodiversity with the public at large. The exhibition�
and guiding will last from 11am to 8pm on Saturday 23rd and�
Sunday 24th May at Toa Payoh Hub (exit the MRT station to see us!)

http://envirofest.wordpress.com/

Official opening by Minister Yaacob and handing over of the Blue Plan

At 3.00pm on Saturday, 23rd May 2009, Envirofest will be declared open�

by the Guest of Honour,�Minister for the�Environment and Water Resources�
(MEWR), Dr Yaacob Ibrahim. Shortly after,�the finalised version of the�
Blue Plan (which has been�circulating for public�comment) will be handed�

to the Minister for the government's�consideration. This will mark the final act�
of�the�International Year of�the Reef.

Entry is free and the site will hve a carnival like atmosphere in the hustle
and bustle of Toa Payoh Hub. Friendly guides are on hand to escort and�
engage participants at�the event site as well as each booth. Free spaces�

for�nature events�around Singapore are being offered at Envirofest.�

A guided introduction to Singapore's biodiversity

Envirofest is a happy collaboration between groups from the non-

governmental community,�government agencies, businesses and
schools.�

This is also a good opportunity to learn about and from various biodiversity�
groups in Singapore who will be manning booths and introducing Singapore�

fauna and flora to the public with the use of specimens from the Raffles�
Museum, games and guiding.�Throughout the day, you will be able to�
interact with passionate volunteers�manning the various booths. This year�

the biodiversity guides will pepper a�trail of ecosystems from terrestrial to�
mangrove to marine.
��

In 2009, the participating groups include:�

Anderson Junior�College, Cedar Girls��School,�Cot Organics, Eumora,�
Green Koncepts,�Green�Volunteers,�Hantu Blog,�NUS' Industrial Design�
Programme, Jane�Goodall Institute,�Mayflower�Secondary School,�

Naked Hermit Crabs,�National Environment�Agency,�National Parks�
Board, Nature Trekker�Singapore, Naviant Pte Ltd, �NUS' Raffles Museum
Toddycats!, Star Bamboo,�Sea Shepherds, Singapore�Environment Council,�

Team Seagrass,�Vegetarian Society and�Waterways�Watch Society.

Find out more at:�http://envirofest.wordpress.com/

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Habitatnews:�http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi�(sivasothi@...)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For�recent�nature�and environment�news�and events in Singapore,�

see: Ria Tan's�WildSingapore:�http://www.wildsingapore.com/

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#263

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Thu Jun 4, 2009 12:04 am
Subject: Pedal Ubin (13 Jun 2009) open for registration; 300 horseshoe crabs rescued at Mandai mangrove, ST Forum: Raffles Museum needs more space, better access

sivasothi

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To subscribe, email:�habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Pedal Ubin, Sat 13 Jun 2009: 50 places left

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50 places left; closing date is 10th June 2009.
The Raffles Museum�Toddycats invite you to join them on their quarterly

Pedal Ubin ride. Offered to the public since 1998, the relaxing four hour�
ride is suitable�for novice cyclists and introduces you to the heritage and�
natural history of Pulau Ubin.�

For registration and more details, please see the Pedal Ubin webpage:
http://pedalubin.rafflesmuseum.net/

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Highlights from Habitatnews webpage:
http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

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300+ horseshoe crabs rescued at Mandai mangroves
A 100 meter gill in�Mandai mangroves entangles some 300 horseshoe

crabs. These unattended nets are a frequent menace to this reduced
population of�ancient creatures in our mudflats ad mangroves.�
�

[Raffles] Museum needs more space, better access

A visitor to NUS' Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research's open house�
held in conjunction with International Museum Day reflects on his�

experience in the Strats Times forum page.�

He suggests that the gallery is too small for public viewing,�the site has�
poor access and there are enough resources to showcase natural history�

in Southeast Asia - i.e. asking for a natural history museum.�

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Habitatnews:�http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi�(sivasothi@...)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For�recent�nature�and environment�news�and events in Singapore,�

see: Ria Tan's�WildSingapore:�http://www.wildsingapore.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#264

From: otterman <sivasothi@...>
Date: Fri Jul 3, 2009 1:55 am
Subject: Singapore Heritage Fest and the Pasir Panjang Heritage Trail (25 Jul 2009)

sivasothi

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To subscribe, email:�habitatnews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Singapore Heritage Fest: Pasir Panjang Heritage Trail

Sat 25 July 2009: tours at 8am, 9am

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The Singapore Heritage Fest 2009�is back again and there are�exhibitions,

heritage tours, a race, fashion show, culinary events, concerts and other

events to appeal both�young and old; see: http://www.heritagefest.org.sg/

As part of the festival, the Raffles Museum�of Biodiversity Research (NUS)�

and Reflections at�Bukit Chandu (National Archives of SIngapore)�invite you�

on a 4-hour guided walk with volunteer guides from Raffles Museum�Toddycats,

covering aspects of the history, geography, flora and fauna of the area.

They have plenty of stories to share with you about their neighbours in the�

Pasir Panjang/Kent Ridge area - the people as well as the plants�

and animals!�

Two sessions will be conducted, on Saturday 25th July 2009 at 8am and�9am.�

The walks last about four hours and will include the Raffles�Museum's�

Public Gallery, the Kent Ridge marker, Kent Ridge Park and Reflections

at Bukit Chandu.

For��details and�registration, please see:�heritagefest.rafflesmuseum.net/

56 places left.

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Habitatnews:�http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/index.php

Editor: N. Sivasothi�(sivasothi@...)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

For�recent�nature�and environment�news�and events in Singapore,�

see: Ria Tan's�WildSingapore:�http://www.wildsingapore.com/

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