 EXPLORE•EXPRESS•ACT! |
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ACT
for
our wild places Small everyday actions CAN make a difference! How does your lifestyle impact the environment? What is your ecological footprint? and what can you do to reduce your footprint more Want to do more? But not sure of where to start? Not even sure if you want to do this? Why act for nature? If you have a passion for nature, the energy and time, you can make a big difference as a volunteer. Many nature groups rely on volunteers to run their programmes. Most have activities to suit any contribution of skill, time and energy. Every contribution, large and small, short-term and long-term, can make a difference.
Volunteering also gives you opportunities to interact with professionals in natural sciences and nature reserve management, as well as experienced naturalists. You also get to hang out with others who share your passion. It's fun and meaningful! What do nature volunteers have to say about their experiences? Here the personal stories of 50 volunteers who have made a difference for nature everywhere in Singapore. Here's what volunteers at Chek Jawa have to say; and volunteers at Sungei Buloh: Pui San, Eddie Lim, Allan Teo, Debra Yeo, Keith Hillier What can I contribute? Almost any skill you have can make a difference!
Don't want to guide, but want to contribute? Besides nature guiding, volunteers are needed for many nature efforts. You can contribute skills such as photography, design, illustration and writing, internet support. Help is always needed for organising events and managing volunteer groups. Even if all you have is time and a deep passion for nature, there are many great opportunities for you to make a difference. Just check out the listings below. Where can I contribute? Check out the opportunities below to see how their needs fit in with your passion and schedule. Latest updates on volunteer opportunities are on the wild news blog tagged volunteer opportunities. |
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are some on-going volunteer opportunities For the latest updates on volunteer opportunities check out the wildnews blog |
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Teamseagrass a volunteer effort to monitor seagrasses and other intertidal life on our shores, as part of international Seagrass Watch which covers 150 sites around the world. No experience required, just a passion for the outdoors and our shores. More details on the TeamSeagrass blog with FAQ and sign up details. |  |
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Blue Water Volunteers No need to swim, no need to dive, be a nature guide to introduce ordinary people to the extraordinary coral reefs of Kusu Island through guided reefwalks. In collaboration with the Hantu Bloggers, BWV also conducts Reef Xplore, guided dives at Hantu and need volunteer divers. Volunteer divers are also needed for regular surveys of our coral reefs in the Southern Islands. More details on the volunteer programme at the Blue Water Volunteers website and see what their volunteers are up to on the Reefwalk blog. |
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Chek Jawa Public Walks be a nature guide to introduce visitors to this seldom-seen intertidal zone with six rare ecosystems. Organised by NParks. More about Chek Jawa; and what CJ guides have to say about their experience. More details on the volunteer programme on the Ubin NParks website and see that their volunteers are up to on the Ubin Volunteers blog |
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Pulau
Ubin the Sensory Trail and more Be a nature guide on this trail that gets visitors to use their five senses to enjoy the wild places on Pulau Ubin. The trail was developed in 1995 to allow the visually handicapped. There is also a small garden with fruit trees, spices and herbs for cooking, plants used in traditional medicine and native plants of the mangrove forest. The rest of Pulau Ubin is a treasure trove that is a joy to share. More about Pulau Ubin and the Sensory Trail and other Ubin tours and Ubin events. Several groups run volunteer programmes on Ubin: Ubin NParks (Chek Jawa, the Sensory Trail and other tours. You can also help in visitor services, reforestation and other efforts for Ubin's historical and natural heritage). The NParks Ubin Volunteers blog also gives you a flavour of their activities. The Green Volunteers Network (Sensory Trail and other tours; they also run the Ubin Green House. Pedal Ubin (guided cycling tours). |
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Sungei
Buloh Wetland Reserve Be a nature guide to introduce the mangroves and wetlands of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve through guided nature walks; this includes a mangrove walk as well as a fish walk. Volunteers are also needed for scientific studies and other projects at the Reserve including reforestation, photography, writing and more. Details on the volunteer programme on the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website |
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Singapore Botanic Gardens Astonish city folks with this guided walk through one of Singapore's oldest patch of rainforest just 5 minutes from downtown Orchard Road! More about the Rainforest Trail. Volunteers are also needed in guiding at the National Orchid Garden, patrolling the Gardens, help build up the Gardens' Plant Records, horticultural work and herbarium work. More details of the volunteer programme on the Singapore Botanic Gardens website. |
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Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Be a nature guide at this fascinating guided walk through Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore's oldest and largest rainforest. Volunteers also needed for reforestation and other outreach programmes such as educating the public about feeding monkeys and releasing pets into our wild places. More details of the volunteer programme on the Central Nature Reserve NParks website. See what their volunteers are up to on the For the Future of the Forest, the central nature reserve volunteers blog. |
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Lower Peirce Trail Be a nature guide on this guided walk on the Lower Peirce Trail, boardwalks through a secondary forest with a short section along the reservoir for a look at freshwater wildlife. Volunteers also needed for reforestation and other outreach programmes such as educating the public about feeding monkeys and releasing pets into our wild places. More details of the volunteer programme on the NParks website. See what their volunteers are up to on the For the Future of the Forest, the central nature reserve volunteers blog. |
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MacRitchie Prunus Trail Be a nature guide at this guided walk on the MacRitchie Prunus Trail, a series of boardwalks along the MacRitchie reservoir for a look at freshwater wildlife and surrounding secondary forest. Volunteers also needed for reforestation and other outreach programmes such as educating the public about feeding monkeys and releasing pets into our wild places. More details of the volunteer programme on the NParks website. See what their volunteers are up to on the For the Future of the Forest, the central nature reserve volunteers blog. |
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Pasir
Ris Mangrove Boardwalk Be a nature guide on the Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk through the mangroves of Pasir Ris Park. More details of the volunteer programme on the GVN website. |
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ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society) Acres aims to foster respect and compassion for all animals; improve the living conditions and welfare of animals in captivity; educate people on lifestyle choices which do not involve the abuse of animals and which are environment-friendly. Acres also operates the 24-hour Wildlife Crime Hotline (9783 7782) which provides an avenue for those who know of anyone who illegally owns or trades in exotic animals, to blow the whistle on these wildlife traders and owners. In the past two years, the work of Acres has led to the rescue of more than 170 wild animals. Volunteers are needed to run Acres outreach and other activities. You can also support by becoming an Acres member. More details on the Acres website. |
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Toddycats at The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research Be a guide at the RMBR Public Gallery and various nature places in Singapore. Help in outreach efforts through public exhibitions and school talks. Design and construct exhibitions and webpages. Assist on research collections, surveys, workshops and mentoring of school projects. Each project is repeated annually and volunteers are encouraged to take on different roles for exposure. Team rather than solo guiding commonly employed. Details of the volunteer programme on the RMBR website. |
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International Coastal Cleanup Singapore It's NOT just about picking up litter! Volunteers with the International Coastal Cleanup collect data about marine debris which is not only unsightly but also kills marine life. Plastic floats forever in our oceans, breaking up into smaller and smaller pieces that eventually get eaten and enter our seafood! Part of a long-term global effort, the Singapore data helps us better understand and hopefully resolve the ever growing issue of marine debris. More details of the volunteer programme on the News from the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore blog |
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Eco-Singapore focusing on youths and encouraging youths to take initiative and choose to live environmentally sustainable lifestyles. ECO aims to establish a voluntary environmental movement, thereby creating opportunities for active involvement by Singaporean youths, instilling a sense of commitment and awareness of environmental issues and global hazards. More details on the Eco-Singapore website. |
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Green Volunteer Network Be a nature guide at various nature places in Singapore including Pulau Ubin, Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk, Heritage Trail Changi Point among others. GVN is also very active in promoting the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and work extensively with schools and the public. They also need volunteers to help teach nature crafts, and also help out in nature exhibitions and events. More details on the GVN website. |
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Waterways Watch Be part of a special volunteer group that conducts River Patrols and public education efforts to monitor, restore and protect the aesthetics of six rivers and canals: the Singapore River, Kallang River, Geylang River, Whampoa River, Pelton Canal and Rochor Canal. Although the rivers and canals are now biologically clean and alive, problem such as littering and illegal disposal of waste still exists. More details of the volunteer programme on the Waterways Watch website. |
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Nature Society (Singapore) Be a guide at walks for Society members at various nature places in Singapore. There also also other opportunities to help out in nature activities. More details of the volunteer programme on the NSS website. |
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PUB's
MacRitchie Volunteer Programme Be a volunteer ranger or guide. More details on the PUB website and Siva's habitatnews blog |