Nature webinars by NUS Toddycats and nature groups during the Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) COVID-19 mitigation in Singapore!

Emerging from the exams, we were all ready to embark on mangrove clean ups and ecosystem restoration activities but everything came to a grinding halt when COVID-19 pandemic reasserted itself. So folks in Singapore are hunkered down under Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).

Catch up on a host of informative talks about conservation of biodiversity, long-tailed macaques, seed dispersers and smooth-coated otters during this period, leading up to World Environment Day.

Thu 20 May 2021: 7.00pm – Dr Ng Ngan Kee on biodiversity and sustainability [NLB Human X Nature series] » [Registration Link] 

Sat 22 May 2021: 10.00am – Chanelle Lim & Sabrina Jabbar of the Long-Tailed Macaque Working Group on “Long-tailed Macaques in Our City in Nature” [NParks City in Nature series] » [Registration Link]

Sat 22 May 2021: 2:00pm – Follow the ACRES Wildlife Rescue Team in real life with the legendary Anbu, ACRES’ co-CEO! 
80 calls a day, one van, one hand phone, two power pax; unpredictability, patience, a lot of awareness raising, gentle and firm handling of the distressed wildlife, rain or shine, finding time to take a water break and all of it. Join Anbu, our Co-CEO as she follows our two wildlife rescue officers in action, island-wide. [No registration required; watch at @eyesofacres on Instagram]

Wed 26 May 2021: 10:30am to 12.00pm Taking action for animals
Know of individuals who want to take action for the animals, but do not know how? Hear from Dr Jaipal Singh, Executive Director of SPCA Singapore and Ms Anbu, Co-CEO of ACRES on their journey, but most importantly they will answer questions specifically on how an individual can take action for the animals. [No registration required; watch at ACRESasia on Facebook]

Thu 27 May 2021: 5.00pm – Paul Yoxon, Padma De Silva and N. Sivasothi on global, Asian and Singapore otters [World Otter Day celebrations with Malaysian Nature Society]; » [Registration Link]

Sat, 29 May | 11am – 12pm – Benkamin Lee & Fung Tze Kwan on Canopy Creatures: Native Wildlife Sustaining our Forests [OneMillionTrees Webinar] » [Registration Link]

Sat 05 Jun 2021: 10.00am – Sivasothi on his research adventures with otters and mangroves at the Department of Zoology from the 1990’s to the present day Department of Biological Sciences with his research undergraduates [DBS Alumni & student series] » [Registration Link]

 

More events lined up for ACRES’s 20th anniversary can be found at: https://acres.org.sg/event/
[8:28 AM, 5/20/2021] Anbu Anbarasi Boopal: Thank you Siva 🙏🙏

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A diversity of nature and environment talks online, as groups take to Zoom during Circuit Breaker and beyond!

For nature and environment folk, the offerings are numerous and diverse. To find events, check the NUS Toddycats Facebook page and search online. There is much more going on than the few over the next week which we highlight here! 

In early June, for example, catch these talks on reporting science, wild otters, wild cats and the experiences of our marine youth: 

Thu 04 Jun 2020: 8.00pm SGT (UTC+8) by Kannan & Marcus

• #SGSTEM Talk & Trivia: Mr Mark Cheong & Ms Audrey Tan from The Straits Times, discuss “how to report a #science story”
• Register at https://tinyurl.com/sgstem20200604

In celebration of World Environment Day
Fri 05 Jun 2020: 1.00pm SGT (UTC+8) by the Otter Working Group Singapore

• “The Otter Side of The Singapore Botanic Gardens,” 
• by Anusha Shivram (Department of Biological Sciences, NUS) – about the use of SBG as a nursery site by the Zouk family of smooth-coated otters, and their ongoing post-natal movement to acquire territory.
• Register at http://tinyurl.com/owg-wedtalk

Sat 06 Jun 2020: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM SGT (UTC+8) by Singapore WIldCat Action Group

• Wildcat Lecture #5: Global Small Wildcat Conservation Efforts: Reducing Threats to Wildcats, Improving Lives of Rural People 
• By Dr Jim Sanderson, IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group
• Register at: https://wildcatsoftheworld-5.peatix.com

In celebration of World Oceans Day
Mon 08 Jun 2020: 8.00pm SGT (UTC+8) by NParks/SYC

• “Youth Action for Marine Conservation” – Singapore youth Crystal Wee, Jonathan Tan, Ng Lee Kiang & Nathaniel Soon share their experiences of marine conservation on World Oceans Day, moderated by Cheo Pei Rong
• Sign up at https://go.gov.sg/wod8june

Fri 27 Apr 2018: 7.00pm, Lepak SG presents a panel on “Treasures of our shores”

Lepak in SG presents their April Workshop, “Treasures of our shores”.

“Treasures of our shores” @ Singapore Sustainable Academy, City Square Mall
Friday 27 April 2018: 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Register to attend here.

What treasures lie within our shores? Join us for a night of insight as we hold a panel discussion with experts on how our shores benefit us!

We’ve invited speakers of diverse backgrounds to show us as many sides of our shores as possible, bringing them together with the theme of Treasures Of Our Shores. Our esteemed panelists are:

• Mr Azri Alwi: As an artist, Mr Alwi uncovers the intrinsic value of our shores. He will bringing us on a journey to discover the inner beauty of the ocean, and the inspiration they may bring to our lives.
• Ms Liow Shen Yan: Everyone loves food! Especially seafood – Ms Liow from the Marine Stewardship Council will explain how seafood can be sustainable so we can make the choice to be responsible consumers.
• Dr Serena Teo: a marine biologist, Dr Teo will discuss the World Harbours Project to explain how our shores are special, being a major port and harbour, and the unique challenges we face.
• Mr Sivasothi: Fondly known as Otterman, Mr Sivasothi will share secrets of our local mangroves and shores, and the roles they play on a local and international stage.

Wed 22 Nov 2017: 7.30pm @ LKCNHM – Reuben Clements on “RIMBA: Using science to deliver conservation solutions for Peninsular Malaysia”

What does it mean to be a conservation scientist?

Join us for a night of insight by Dr Gopalasamy Reuben Clements, co-founder of RIMBA, a Malaysian non-governmental organisation, as he shares about translating scientific research into tangible outputs for the greater good of threatened species.

Wed 22 Nov 2017: 7:30 pm @ LKCNHM Learning Lab
2 Conservatory Drive, S(117377) [map]
National University of Singapore

Register for this talk at this link.

See you there!

“Singapore’s Masked Fruit Bandits – the common palm civet” – three talks by civetgirl Xu Weiting this year!

In the first quarter of 2017, civetgirl Xu Weiting conducted three talks for students of Catholic High School and Yishun Junior College, and staff of Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES).

Most civet talks have addressed large groups, typically a school assembly in order to reach out to large numbers of students as part of civet research and education goals. This year, Weiting had a change of pace with three talks to small groups of less than 20 people. These talks in an intimate setting are enjoyable in a different way as the audience is comfortable to ask many more questions about the common palm civet than they usually would!

During these lively sessions, the audience leant about and discussed the biology of the civets, threats that they face and how all of us can ensure that civets continue to be part of Singapore’s landscape.

16 Feb 2017 – Catholic High students figuring the identity of civet poop

13 March 2017 – It is always wonderful to talk to ACRES staff, some of whom have been active in the rescue of civets. Thanks to Anbu for the photo.

We thank the teachers of Catholic High School and Yishun Junior College for inviting Xu Weiting over to share the research that civet team does. Also, a big thank you to Kalai from ACRES for organizing this, and thanks to the ACRES team for all the great work they do in helping our local wildlife.

We have a few more talks lined up for the second quarter of 2017. If you are interested to have us conduct a talk on common palm civets or local wildlife, do contact us here. We would be happy to discuss outreach programmes.