We’re back with our yearly tradition of a National Day walk! This year we’re hiking from Windsor Nature Park to Tree Top Walk. Along the way, we will look out for wildlife and share stories about the many plants and animals that also call our city home.
Participants can choose their own route out of MacRitchie after reaching the Tree Top Walk. The journey from Windsor Nature Park to the Tree Top Walk is approximately 2.5 km and will be a 1.5 hr walk. (Please note that the journey back will be at least another 2.5km). More details will be shared with confirmed participants. We will be sending you an email before the date of the walk.
It is not recommended for young children below the age of 7 to attend this event as the walk will be long and on uneven terrain.
Cicada Tree Eco-Place is deeply alarmed by the ongoing destruction of Singapore’s last remaining forest fragments. In the face of relentless development, secondary forests are largely invisible from both policy and empirical perspectives. However, they possess immense potential for natural regeneration, and provide us an array of ecosystem services.
Secondary forests play a crucial role as buffer zones for the mere 0.16 percent of primary forest that remains. [1] The gradual reduction and fragmentation of these wilderness areas can have detrimental effects, such as exacerbating the urban heat island phenomenon, escalating human-wildlife conflicts, and driving the extinction of native wildlife, particularly rainforest-dependent species.
Rather than bulldozing these sites, we advocate for enhancing their connectivity by integrating and linking them through Singapore’s extensive network of park connectors. It is more cost-effective and expedient to build on existing ecosystems — artificial nature, like estate parks and densely planted urban trees are an inferior substitute. The Windsor and Rifle Range Nature Parks serve as excellent examples of forest patches that sustain biodiversity while remaining accessible and providing recreational opportunities.
Fallen trees at Dover ForestDover Forest, or what’s left of it
Through our ongoing efforts, we are committed to raising awareness about the importance of preserving our forests, which represent a vital part of our natural heritage. As our world faces the existential crisis of climate change, Cicada Tree Eco-Place hopes that the powers that be in Singapore will ensure we do our part to preserve remaining ecosystems for future generations.
[1] Yee et al. (2011). The vegetation of Singapore ―an updated map. Source
This island is one of Singapore’s few islands that can still be visited by the public, and only a 45-minute ferry ride away. The tranquil nature found here include coastal forest, Triassic cliffs, sandy beach, rocky seashore, inter-tidal, mangrove, and coral reefs offshore. These easily accessible varied natural habitats make this island an excellent spot for nature study and outdoor exploration. Sea turtles have been recorded to come on-shore to lay their eggs. Rare, endangered seashore plants are still found surviving along its coastline.
Our nature camp program:
Saturday 10/6:
1.00pm Board ferry at Marina South Pier to St. John’s 1.45pm Arrive on St. John’s, free & easy 3.00pm Check into our dormitory campsite, program briefing 4.00pm Nature-guided trek round the island 6.00pm Dinner 7.30pm Nature-guided night walk 10.00pm Night sky-gazing, zzzzzz
Sunday 11/6:
7.00am Breakfast, nature-guided walk to Lazarus Island via land bridge 10.00pm Check-out of dorm 12.00pm Board ferry to Marina South Pier
Cost: If we have a group of 15 paying pax, it is at $80 per participant. If we have a group of 20 paying pax, it is at $60 per participant. FOC for kids age 6 years and below of participants.
Cost includes provision of breakfast, and does not include the other meals and ferry rides ($15 return per adult/kid).
Please note:
St. John’s and its dorm are managed by Singapore Land Authority which requires advance booking with the personal particulars of all overnight visitors.
To reserve your seat/s, please email the participant/s:
- full name as in identity card/passport
- identity card/passport number
- mobile number
to Andrew at: andrewtay.sg@gmail.com
Closing date for registration: 10 May 2023
Falling on 22 April, Earth Day marks the occasion to highlight the pressing environmental issues that we’re facing and the need to protect our planet. Join Cicada Tree Eco-Place for a guided walk in MacRitchie forest, part of the largest nature reserve and green lung in Singapore, and home to rich biodiversity. We will be exploring Windsor Nature Park and Venus Loop for this walk led by our volunteer guides. Get to spot mammals like the Malayan Colugo, birds like the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, and cool insects such as dragonflies and beetles. Learn why secondary forests like MacRitchie is crucial to us and how you can do your part for the environment.
This walk is free of charge and suitable for kids 5 years old and above.
Please note that your seat is confirmed after you register for the tickets. We will send all confirmed participants an email with more details of the walk, including meeting location, one week prior to the event. Those who joined the waitlist will be informed via email if there are available slots.
