2 Feb (Sat): World Wetlands Day - Wetlands and Agriculture: Partners for Growth

2 Feb is World Wetlands Day and in 2014, the theme is "Wetlands and Agriculture: Partners for Growth". How is this relevant to urban Singapore? Wetlands help mitigate flooding and when drained and burnt for agriculture can result in haze.

Download the full comic strip here.

In Singapore, celebrate next weekend with kids' and family activities at Sungei Buloh and Kranji Marsh!


8 Feb (Sat): Waders' Watch Workshop at Sungei Buloh
The migratory bird season has started and the birds are here at Sungei Buloh! Sungei Buloh is an important bird site for these birds. Every year, thousands of these birds visit Sungei Buloh and other parts of Singapore to find food and shelter during winter in the northern parts of the world. Join in this workshop to know how to identify these amazing birds. Also learn how to Birdwatch and how you can help NParks in studying the migratory patterns of these birds in Singapore. The workshop comprises a lecture and discussion about the birds followed by a field tour to practice identifying migratory shorebirds. It would be good if you have a pair of binoculars but we can loan you a limited number of binoculars. Attire: Cotton, covered comfortable walking shoes.

8 Feb (Sat): Birdwatching at Kranji Marshes with Nature Society (Singapore)
Open to the public but children below 12 are not allowed for safety reasons.

From the meeting point, a hired bus will ferry us to our destination. We begin with a pleasant stroll along a countryside road to the Kranji Marshes where we will continue our walk along the PUB Bund. The marsh is designated by URA as a Nature Park and is currently adopted by NSS under PUB's ABC Waters Programme. Birding highlights here include the Red-wattled Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo, White-browed Crake, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle and more.

8 Feb (Sat): Mangrove walk at Sungei Buloh
Free guided nature walk along the Mangrove boardwalk under shady mangrove trees. Spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life, learn about our mangroves, enjoy views of the Johor straits. Suitable for young children. Registration is not required for small walk-in groups. But each walk is limited to 15 persons per guide and is on a first-come-first-served basis. The walks are weather permitting and may merge with other activities at the Reserve. Those coming with large groups are advised to pre-register.

What is World Wetlands Day about?

From the RAMSAR website

World Wetlands Day marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar; thus also called the Ramsar Convention.

Each year, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community take this opportunity to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular.


What is the Ramsar Convention?

The Ramsar Convention's mission is "the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world".

What is World Wetlands Day 2014 about?

Wetlands have often been seen as a barrier to agriculture, and they continue to be drained and reclaimed to make farming land available. But the essential role of wetlands in support of agriculture is becoming clearer and clearer, and there are successful agricultural practices which support healthy wetlands.

More about Ramsar sites on the wild shores of singapore blog.

What are the criteria for classifying Ramsar sites?
What is the status of the Ramsar convention?
Does Singapore have a Ramsar site?