Nice to meet Adrian Loo, Mun Ching, Sipei and Nature Kaki Team and Telok Blangah Pulai Eco team, in person. (I’m part of te team).

Here are some photos of the events.

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That was our lunch meeting agenda, to discuss with Nature-minded personal to appreciate nature.

Darren is the principal of Forest School Singapore. He was sharing his story about Forest School activities at Dairy Farm Nature Park. I told him that I met one group of children at Dairy Farm last month. I admired how the coach handled the group of children while spotting the wild animal.
Darren looked at me. He opened his phone and looked at the video that he recorded. He showed it to me and asked me, were you the photographer that alerted the group about the wild animal?

Surprised… yes that’s me.

We met before in the forest sitting next to each other during our discussion about nature.

Here is our talk with him about Forest School.

How is the Forest School Singapore started?

Darren is an avid lover of the forest school ideology. But to fully comprehend the beauty and impact of forest school. One has to look beyond the tip of the iceberg… and dwell deep into the philosophy and purpose of the form of education.

His experience in the humanitarian and education field taught me that education only serves its true purpose when it helps the people of the land live on their land.

In 2016, he decided to take a trip to UK to attend Archimedes Forest School Education Practitioner Level 3 Training, to get certification and to really understand further what is forest school.

That’s how it started, He chose to live a life of dreams and aspiration. “One man can’t change the world, but I can try”.

How do you recruit your team (coaches), and how do you train yourself and the team?
The team started with a few close ex-colleague and friends from my previous projects and work. The heart was at the core of the recruitment. Many of us have our personal stories and struggles through this journey together. Friendship and a sense of purpose was the foundational energy that drives everyone. We endeavour to recruit people of different perspective and belief system, giving the village that raises a child a wider range of personality that could support each other better.
Based on the above, We have a low barrier of entry for our coaches. But we do undergo an evolving training journey, where each individual embarks on a various channel of training, not isolated to just the practice of FSS. Of course, we do have basic safety and awareness training that cements the foundational skills of the coaches in FSS. The most important learning comes from the on-job experience.

Have you encountered a difficult situation along your journey?
Yes definitely. Think the greatest challenge is the urban and goal-driven mindset that we struggle to balance with. Personally, there was a lot of self-doubts and a sense of wanting to give up and just fit back in.

What’s the memorable moment along your journey?
I would say the moment when an 8 years old child from a prototype fs session in 2016 sharing in a debrief that “The FS session she attended was the first time she experiences freedom”. This moment spurred me on, and show the importance of our work of Nature and Education

There is no lesson plan at the Forest School Singapore. The children, aged three to eleven, decide what they want to do and where to roam.
Can you let us know about that concept as this a bit different from other educational institution?
The child-led and unstructured Forest School (FS) program is based on the trust that our children have the wisdom and love to lead their own experience. I think the mainstream system inherently distrust the children and think that they know lesser, which itself disempower the individual and dehumanises them many times. In an FS session, where freedom, choice and consequences are felt inexperience, children showcase their wisdom and build a sense of connection that is almost impossible to attain in the mainstream conditional approach in my view. As my sensei from Japan once said,
“The main objective of FS is to help bring people to a space between the earth and the stars.” Think this line caps it off well.

Handling children is not easy and have a big responsibility. How do you handle the children when meeting any wild animals?
Trust, Faith and Love. The basis behind working with children comes from a sense of love, trust and faith. That is not just in the program, but with the larger community and environment as well. With this powerful foundation, we go about our program, with the root to understand the wisdom that Nature shows, but also the flexibility and instinct to navigate the reality that Nature expresses in her danger and complexity.
We usually keep a distance from wild animals as do the animal to us. In a way, we take a cue from Nature herself in how to interact with her. Paying close attention to the clues and details is what we do to ensure we know what we need to do.

Can you tell about one of the milestone moment of Forest School?
It was ‘a case of the missing cracker’ story’, as the children with their mirage of personality were able to resolve a situation in the session without the usual reward/punishment model, but an empathy/understanding one. We were so proud of them.
The full story can be read from here

I read about an article related to Rifle Range Park closing down and many discussion between conservationists and educationists. What’s your view about Singapore as a City in Nature from an education point of view?
I personally feel that the tension is part of the growth. Going either way on the extreme will not serve anyone or Mother Nature well. When we understand that we are Nature. Then we can truly comprehend the notion of City in Nature. As the City is itself Nature too. In this sense, it is not the plans and activities that will bring us there, but the wisdom and connection that let us realise the balance state of Nature.

If you would like to find out more about Forest School Singapore, please click this link below:
https://forestschoolsingapore.com/

The post The character behind Forest School Singapore appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Here is our nature talk with her.

Can you tell us your story with ‘Ah Boy’ that made you study more about primates?
When I was 10 years old, I was given a wild vervet monkey from Africa as a pet. The juvenile monkey was illegally taken by friends of relatives who were sailors to Africa. Not fully grasping the difference between a wild animal and a domestic pet at that time, I raised my pet monkey ‘Ah Boy’ like I would have to a pet dog; bringing him for a walk in the neighbourhood on my shoulders, feeding it with home-cooked food… Each day he climbed up my shoulders to groom my scalp, pulling apart my hair and meticulously carrying out a search, much like how the monkeys do in the wild, grooming each other for parasites and dirt particles.

Gradually over the next five years, as my pet monkey grew bigger, I learned through watching him every day that he was miserable chained up at home, without his rightful freedom to be in the forests and among his friends. It was after going through several contacts internationally and locally that I managed to contact Louis Ng from ACRES. We raised funds and through their help, my pet monkey was repatriated back to Zambia, Africa in 2004. The monkey is the inspiration of the ACRES logo and is my motivation to learn about monkeys and the threats they face so as to better help them.

Who actually really motivated and helped you to become a research scientist?
I count myself very lucky to have a number of people who have been encouraging. My family was initially concerned about the prospects of such work in Singapore and in the region. Still, they continue to be supportive because it is apparent to them throughout these years how I enjoy doing what I am doing. My friends were always curious about my work in the beginning, asking questions and trying to understand my passion. They were very encouraging and also let me know that they were able to appreciate wildlife and the environment a little better through our conversations, which was wonderful.
I am grateful to Prof. Rudolf Meier, who was my academic advisor during my undergraduate and Master’s studies at the National University of Singapore. He was the first person to encourage me to pursue a subject that I was interested in, and helped me throughout these years, providing advice and support. Wildlife Reserves Singapore has been financially supporting my research from the beginning, first through the Ah Meng Memorial Conservation Fund, and then the WRS Conservation Fund.
Prof. Tommy Koh is an advocate for nature conservation and is extremely supportive of student initiatives in local conservation efforts. He was the patron of my Master’s project on the Raffles’ banded langurs in 2007, and continues to be one for the current project.
I completed my Ph.D. through the University of Colorado Boulder under the guidance of Prof. Bert Covert. He made possible my research in Vietnam. There, my collaborators supported every step I took and generously welcomed me, which made me feel very much at home. Ultimately, it was my pet monkey, Ah Boy, who first sparked my interest in primates and wildlife conservation.

Any advice for your generation if they want to become a research scientist?
A research scientist can be working in different fields (not necessarily in wildlife research/conservation), depending on the area of interest. My advice is to first find and recognise your interest and passion, learn and gather knowledge in that field, and get into the network of people in that area to build connections and identify opportunities.

What is special about the Raffles’ banded langur?
The Raffles’ banded langur is a species of monkey that is only found in Singapore and southern Peninsular Malaysia. This monkey was first noted as a new species to science based on specimens from Singapore, which makes Singapore its type locality (location where it was first described). Sir Stamford Raffles was one of the first people to pen down notes describing the animal, hence the attribution to his name. The Raffles’ banded langur is only one of three species of non-human primates in Singapore, and the largest arboreal mammal here. However, it is critically endangered with only fewer than 70 individuals left in Singapore.

How do you collect their data and how can you identify them?
We carry out field observations and collect data on the plant species that they consume in the forests. We also collect their fecal samples whenever we come across them, and bring them back to the lab in NUS to do DNA analyses so as to find out more about their diet and genetic health. We also take photographs of the langurs so that we can identify certain physical characteristics in order to differentiate individuals. Since August 2016, we have citizen scientists who are surveying in the field as well, collecting data on the langurs, such as threats that might affect their survival. For instance, citizen scientists helped to identify a hotspot where the langurs crossed on the road in order to get from one forest fragment to the next. NParks later installed a rope bridge to facilitate the safe movement of the langurs and other arboreal animals to minimise the chances of them being struck by vehicles on the roads.

Any there others monkey species that exist in our forest besides the Raffles’ banded langur and long-tailed macaque?
There are three species of non-human primates that are native to Singapore: Sunda slow loris, long-tailed macaque, and Raffles’ banded langur. Since end-2019, there’s two dusky langurs (likely from Malaysia) in the midst.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/monkey-species-native-to-malaysia-spotted-here

What’s the best approach when we see wild animals such as monkeys?
When visiting nature areas or nature reserves, try not to bring food as the sight and smell of food will attract animals. Similarly, do not bring plastic bags, or keep them out of sight in backpacks as monkeys have learned to associate plastic bags with food. The monkeys have no interest in humans if not for food. When encountering wild animals like monkeys, maintain a safe distance of at least 3 metres and do not stare into their eyes. We can enjoy peaceful encounters with animals when we understand and follow the recommended behavioural etiquette.

Andie Ang, Ph.D.
Research Scientist with Mandai Nature, and President of Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore)

The post Dr. Andie Ang and Raffles’ banded langurs appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

The first time I contacted Mr Khew was on May 2008 for his help to identify a butterfly that I photographed at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It’s Hieroglyphic Flat.
He told me about the blog ButterflyCircle that he has maintained since 2006 until now.
That’s the complete guide for anyone who want to know and learn about butterfly.

Here is our ‘nature talk’ about Butterfly

Mr Khew, we know your passion and your dedication for butterflies. How did it started?
It started a long time ago when I was a 10-year old schoolboy.  Back in those days, we didn’t have all the digital devices and computer games that kids today are so fortunate to have.  After school, we found our own entertainment in the environment around us – catching longkang fishes, dragonflies, beetles and of course, butterflies.  I had a very encouraging Biology teacher in school and she encouraged me to learn more about butterflies.  A neighbour bought me the 1st Edition of “Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula” by Corbet & Pendlebury, and that started me off on a lifelong journey of learning more about butterflies.  

How did you start the ButterflyCircle Blog?
Originally, I had a website way back in the late 1990s.  But I was inspired by a few nature bloggers who kept the community updated through their interesting blogposts.  Examples of these bloggers are Ms Ria Tan (Wild Singapore Blog) and Dr Wee Yeow Chin (Bird Ecology Study Group).  I also visited quite a few local blogs and decided to start on my own blog in Aug 2007.  I started regular weekend blogging later that year, and kept up a minimum of an article per week for 14 years!  Time flies.  These days, I don’t post so often, perhaps one or two articles a month.  Time for younger generation to take on sharing the knowledge in the nature community!

Is there values which you have learnt from butterflies that you can use in your life or work?
My interest in butterflies brought me to understand the plants that are associated with them.  As the knowledge increased, the information was used in conservation and recommending butterfly-attracting nectaring and host plants to landscaping and building projects to promote better butterfly diversity in these projects.  After years of photographing butterflies, it also allowed me to get my weekly exercise and appreciate the nature around us.  It also taught me a lot of patience and to expect the unexpected, as nature can never really be controlled by man.

Any unforgettable experience that you have during your trip to find butterfly?
Each butterflying trip is special, whether local or overseas.  There is always so many new things to observe and learn about butterflies.  

What’s your favourite butterfly?
My Avatar on social media and my websites is the Commander (Moduza procris milonia).  This species holds a special place in my memory when I first encountered it back in the 1970’s.  It was the first time I had seen one, and it took me several days after that first encounter to hunt it down again and chasing it in the forests. That was an unforgettable experience.

What’s your view for Singapore to maintain butterfly population?
Singapore is a good place to cultivate and maintain a good butterfly population.  With the correct plants in our urban landscape, NParks and other community gardeners have brought more butterflies into our city’s green spaces.  Whilst our nature reserves and parks are also important sanctuaries for the forest-dependent species, our urban species have been able to thrive as Singapore’s City in a Garden, and now, City In Nature, strategies have helped in enhancing our biodiversity.

Any tips for us to take butterfly photos, as we know some butterflies are really fast and any guidance not to disturb the nature?
Take some time to observe butterflies and how they behave.  Those that are “distracted” whilst feeding, resting or mating, for example, are easier to approach and photograph.  When you approach a butterfly, do not make sudden movements as they are sensitive to even the slightest movements. They need to be alert to predators and any attempts to move in close too quickly will scare them off.  When out in the field, wear drab or dull coloured clothing so that you do not stand out too much and spotted by the butterflies long before you even see them! 

I heard about your butterfly book. Can you tell a bit about that book?

The two field guides that I wrote was primarily to share a greater awareness of Singapore’s butterfly diversity to the community.  I purposely made sure that it was supported by photos of butterflies in the field, and no dead butterflies were featured as the book was not intended to be a serious scientific taxonomic work.  I hope that through the book, Singaporeans and residents will be able to identify the butterflies that they encounter when out in our parks and gardens, and hopefully appreciate them and to be able to help in their conservation for our future generations to enjoy.


For younger generations who want to follow their nature passion, what’s your advice for them?
Just keep your eyes and ears open, and enjoy Mother Nature’s creations all around us.  Learn as much as you can about all the flora and fauna that share our planet with us, and participate in the conservation efforts to help nature co-exist harmoniously with us! 

Khew Sin Khoon
https://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/

The post The ‘Butterfly Man’ Khew Sin Khoon appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Shore Pit Viper C. Purpureomaculatus was first coined by the original describer John E Gray in 1832 because of the purple spots on the particular specimen he was describing, although we now know that body pattern and coloration is variable in this species.


This is our ‘Nature talk’ with him.

Peter, can you let us know how you met ‘Blu’ and why did you name it ‘Blu’ ?
I first met “Blu” in December 2017, at Pasir Ris. However, I can’t confirm that she is the only viper in Pasir Ris Park (PRP) mangrove that has that bluish stripe.
I named it “Blu” because this viper has a bluish stripe on its flanks.
I gave this name for easy identification and reference. For example, we have a community here in Pasir Ris Park. When we meet each other, we exchange sightings. It’s easier to describe it if it has a name.

Is there many other type of shore pit viper that any other colour than blue?
Many other colour variations of shore-pit vipers were spotted in PRP, other than ‘Blu’ there are also “Olive” and “Rusty” but to-date I have not name all of them yet.

For the visitors to the park, what do they need to do if they encounter snake?
Important for park goers to be mindful when they are walking along the boardwalk of the mangrove. Sometimes the vipers may be resting on wires or the boardwalk. During the walk, please be aware of your surroundings, minimise the noise, and avoid looking at your handphone, as along the boardwalk you may see any wildlife animal or snake.
When you see the pit viper snake, remain calm, and try not disturb them. Most of the  pit vipers are not active during the day, as it is time for them to rest.
Sometimes, snakes may be in a dangerous position such as in the middle of boardwalk. It potentially may cause harm to humans as well as itself, so please kindly contact NParks or ACRES.
Otherwise, leave them alone and they will usually go away at night.

What is the dos and don’ts when visitors want to take photos of the snake?

 If you would like to take photos of the snake, especially for photographers, please capture the photos of what you see and make sure you keep a safe distance. Please do not disturb them by using sticks or by throwing something to the snake.
Some photographers have the habit of prodding snakes with sticks to get good photos. Please don’t do this.
You are stressing the snakes who are resting as well as denying fellow park photographers from shooting the snakes (because if you disturb them, they will move away).

Please note that all tips and advice are based on observations and not scientific studies.

We are trying to learn and understand our nature and wildlife and try not to disturb them.
“Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints!” Chief Si ahl

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