Every sunday on artscentral

September 10th, 2008

This Sunday, the programme will be focusing on Chek Jawa, so do tune in! Below is an excerpt from the artscentral website.

ONCE UPON A TREE: TIDES AND COASTLINES
9PM – 9:30PM

“Once Upon a Tree was an eight-part series on the science and sociology of trees – what trees do, how people relate to them, and the dynamic between nature, culture, and preservation of our heritage. Trees were the topic, but the real subject was the exploration of our interaction with nature.

Once Upon a Tree – Tides and Coastlines builds upon the themes explored in the first season, and applies them to the waters that surround us. Join us as we explore the physical, ecological and cultural dimensions of the tides – and perhaps discover something about ourselves in the process. 

~ host Dr Shawn Lum

 

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9 Aug (Sat): Reef Celebrations! Launch of IYOR in Singapore

August 8th, 2008

The marine community celebrates our nation’s priceless reefs this National Day with the Singapore launch of International Year of the Reef!

Everyone is invited!

With a slew of activities for all, come find out about Singapore’s living shores and how you can make a difference for them.

A shore fun day for the entire family! Kids’ games and activities so even the youngest ones (aged 4-8 years) can learn about our marine life and what we can do to help.

Be a Star! Adopt a unique Singapore star and learn more about Cyrene Reef, a major Knobbly Nursery. (more about the adoption)

Our reefs revealed! As volunteers share about our reefs and shores and the work they have been doing. A rare opportunity to meet ALLmajor marine groups active on our shores and find out how you too can make a difference.

Exciting exhibits! See Singapore’s living shores without getting your feet wet. Find out about the latest marine projects, and threats to and work done for our shores. Come see rarely seen specimens, including a baby dugong by the Toddycats!

Special talks throughout the day! Come find out if there are any reefs left in Singapore and about diving Singapore’s wild reefs at Pulau Hantu. Learn more about our Knobbly sea stars; how is Chek Jawa doing after the mass deaths in 2007?; and about our wild and wacky seagrass meadows. Film clips about our amazing marine life will also be shown throughout the day.

Schedule of talks and activities

10.30am: “Life and Death at Chek Jawa” sharing experiences of a study of mass deaths on Chek Jawa following flooding in 2007, a talk by Loh Kok Sheng (more about the talk)

11.30am: “Wishing upon a Star” about our Knobbly sea stars, a recent emergence of baby Knobblies and discovery of a large population at Cyrene Reef, a talk by Tan Sijie, Star Trackers (moreabout the talk)

12.30-1pm: MAD for turtles (make a difference for turtles) : Games for kids about threats to turtles and how kids can help, by Cicada Tree Eco-Place and the Raffles Institution with four stations. Suitable for kids aged 4-8 years. (more about the event).

  • Fishing for help: a ‘fishing’ game .
  • Turtles and jellyfish: a story and animation with a simple computer-based game.
  • Turtles and reefs game: a more vigorous activity.
  • Pledge card signing.

2pm: “Are there reefs left in Singapore?” lifting the veil to reveal the hidden biodiversity of this almost forgotten realm, a talk by Jeffrey Low, NParks Biodiversity Reference Centre (more about the talk).

3pm: “Southern Haunt” about diving at Pulau Hantu, bringing clarity to the usually murky waters with underwater photos and videos, a talk by Debby Ng, Hantu Bloggers (more about the talk)

4pm: “Green, Mean, Photosynthesizing Machines!” a talk by Yang Shufen, TeamSeagrass and NParks Biodiversity Reference Centre(more about the talk)

Activities throughout the day

Exhibitions include

Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Function Hall, Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens (above Taman Serasi foodcourt), more about getting there.
Contact: iyor08singapore@gmail.com

Written by IYOR08 Singapore on 8/09/2008

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Boardwalk tour by NHC this Sunday

June 24th, 2008

Seems like our friends at the Naked Hermit Crabs are going to have another boardwalk tour this Sunday 29th June. Go read their blog and find out how you can join in! 

Go here!

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Go to Chek Jawa with your parents!

June 23rd, 2008

Hey everyone!  From what i’m gathering from the responses, the plight of chek jawa has been heard, and we all can change people’s mentality, starting with the young ones. As you know it was not that difficult to visit what i call a “National Natural Heritage” site, but always of course to have an adult to bring you. Because of the many things that we found out i bet many would wanna to get up close and personal with all the sea creatures that were unfortunately hiding under the waves. Nonetheless, the greenery itself inspired many of us to spread the word.

Tell your parents, encourage your friends to know more about Chek Jawa, plus the many other natural places that you least expect like Sentosa. 

Follow the links to the Naked Hermit Crabs website in the right column, plus the other links available. Express yourself in the forum page to pledge your support to save our reefs! Don;t forget to see the pics some of your friends and chekmates have shared!

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Having fun in chek jawa!

June 22nd, 2008

On saturday in the nice morning weather (finally!) the kids from Zheng Hua Primary School may have taken their first step into their journey of awareness of Singapore’s natural environment. 

Check out the pics and entries from your very own Checkmates by clicking on the “Reflections” link at the top right hand corner of this page! Add in your comments and share what you have learnt from the visit.

If you have pictures of your own or even your own blog and want to share , send us a link to chekmates@gmail.com of your online photo album or blogs and we will feature them in this site. 

Let’s save our reefs!

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Visit to Chek Jawa boardwalk this Sat 21st June

June 19th, 2008

Zhenghua Primary School students will be going on an adventure this Saturday as the Chek Mates will be bringing them along with teachers and parent-volunteers with the help of experienced guides from the friendly people of Naked Hermit Crabs.

As a safety precaution for those going, please drink lots of water before the trip since the weather has been very unpredictable these days. Below are some Do’s and Don’ts that you might want to consider.

Some Dos and Don’s:

1. Keep the place clean: Litter is not only unpleasant to look at, but it is also dangerous to animals. Smaller species can get trapped and larger animals may eat the litter accidentally. So please dispose all litter and unwanted objects in the bins provided.

2. Respect Wildlife: Every plant and animal has a part to play in the ecosystem. Please refrain from removing them from their natural habitats, as their lifespan will be shortened. You will also deprive other visitors from seeing them. Do leave everything as they are.

3. Stay on the designated route: So stay on the boardwalk and the track. While you are on the guided tour, please stay with your guide and do not stamp your feet while on the boardwalk. Additionally, use only designated roads and tracks and keep to the left, in a single file.

4. Observe the animals quietly: Most animals in Chek Jawa are not a threat unless disturbed. Some animals may look harmless, but will reluctantly defend themselves in unpleasant ways, if they are threatened. So do not provoke the animals. Avoid feeding or capturing wild animals. As for hornets and bees, do not disturb them as they are potentially dangerous when they are provoked. Stay clear of nest/ hives and report to you guides immediately.

5. Always follow instructions from the Guides/ Teachers. If it starts raining, put on your ponchos and wait for specific instructions from your group guides and teachers. If there is a lighting find shelter and do not stand under a tree.

6. Use the public toilets if you have to. Do not drink the water from the taps in these toilets are they are not suitable for drinking.

7. Make sure you have done the following essentials:

a. Wear light and breathable clothing

b. Wear comfortable walling shoes

c. Wear a cap if you need one

d. Apply sunscreen if you need

e. Bring and drink sufficient water

f. Ponchos- to put on if it rains

g. Insect repellent- put it on to prevent mosquito bites

8. Personal security and safety is individual responsibility. Do make sure that you have your personal belongings secured in a bag and check them periodically. Do not disturb/ distract your friends and be cautious at all times. When in the jetty, make sure you move when you are told and stay away from water bodies. The Singapore waters are very deep and are dangerous for anyone, including adults. If you are not feeling well at any point/ have hurt yourself during the trip inform your I/C immediately.

In short, be safe while enjoying the wonders of one of the remaining natural habitats left in Singapore!

See ya there!

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Hello and Welcome!

June 17th, 2008

Hi everyone, and that includes students, teachers, parents, enthusiasts and nature lovers to our very own CHEK-MATES blogsite.

Still under construction, but feel free to familiarise yourselves to the site while we improve the content! For now, please email the webmaster at chekmates@gmail.com if you want to add in any pics, videos or even entries for the time being. Better still register to edublogs.org or wordpress.com so you can subscribe to the blog!

Ciao!

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