Shore to Shore: Explore the Southern Islands

Shore to Shore is a student-led programme dedicated to revitalising interest in these islands.

By focusing on the intersections of folklore, biodiversity, and family, we celebrate the unique cultural and ecological heritage of places like St John’s Island, once a quarantine station; Kusu Island, known for its annual pilgrimage; and Sisters’ Islands, steeped in legend and home to Singapore’s first marine park.

The programme aims to inspire long-term stewardship and preservation of both the tangible and intangible heritage found across these southern shores.

More details on their website: https://shoretoshore.wixstudio.com/tf-nus

FREE Festival of Biodiversity 2025: 31 May and 1 June

Meet the people working on our shores and learn more about their work at this year's Festival of Biodiversity held at the  Central National Library. Special talks and lots of booths, workshops and fun activities for the whole family.

Marine themed talks include:

1 June 2025 (10am - 11am) - Documenting Life in Singapore's Southern Archipelago: The Southern Islands Biodiversity Survey 

1 June 2025 (4.30pm - 6pm) - Sentosa #WhereDiscoveryNeverEnds - A Natural Heritage Journey

Venue: National Library Building, Central Public Library 100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064
Sign up here https://form.gov.sg/67f4a5f259e288023c69e8fe
More details: https://fob.nparks.gov.sg/

FREE Museum programme on Singapore's marine life

Discover Singapore's marine biodiversity and the science behind conserving them!

More details from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum facebook page.

6-22 Sep: "SEAs The Day" by WWF at the National Library

"SEAs The Day" is WWF-Singapore's inaugural marine-themed public outreach event (6 - 22 Sep). Interactive experiences and educational opportunities, and discover how you can play a part in protecting our oceans.

Sign up here https://go.gov.sg/seastheday-wwf

27 May (Sat): Talk on "Rebuilding Our Reefs: Creating Underwater Cities For Singapore’s Marine Life"

Take a deep dive with SAM Shu Qin into Singapore’s sea. She shares her journey in transforming the seabed into vibrant habitats for corals and marine life.

Join the talk physically at Heartbeat@Bedok (limited slots!) or join online via Zoom.

Talk on "Rebuilding Our Reefs: Creating Underwater Cities For Singapore’s Marine Life"
Date: 27 May 2023 (Sat)
Time: 3-4pm
Register: https://go.gov.sg/nparksspotlight-27May

Part of the Festival of Biodiversity https://fob.nparks.gov.sg/

8 Oct (Sat): Welcome Waders at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Fun activities for the family at Sungei Buloh in celebration of World Migratory Bird Day. Craft activities, games as well as workshops and talks.

More about how Singapore is Shore Bird Central.

22 May (Sun): Virtual talks on exploring our shores

Exciting talks offered during the Festival of Biodiversity! A Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) interpreter will be present for the session.

"Where the wild things are: marine edition" by Iffah Iesa
Iffah Iesa started her journey as a volunteer for NParks’ Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey and is now a Scientific Officer (Curator) from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. She will be sharing about the great diversity of life in our seas and her love for medusozoans (jellyfishes).

"Are you “shore”?" by Loh Kok Sheng
Loh Kok Sheng has over 15 years of experience surveying Singapore’s shores and will be sharing tips on how we can best enjoy and appreciate our shores. 

Date:  22 May (Sun)
Time: 3pm

Register to participate in the Zoom session (limited slots available!), or stream the webinar live on the NParksSG YouTube channel.

More details on the NParks website

20 Mar (Sun): Talk on "Conserving Coral Reefs in Singapore"

What are some of the ongoing conservation efforts and how can we balance urban development and nature? Join us to learn more about coral reefs in Singapore and what you can do to protect our natural heritage! 

Presented by Kikuzawa Yuichi, Marine Biologist, Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore.

Date: 20 Mar 2022 (Sunday)
Time: 5 - 6 pm
Venue: Zoom

More details and registration

5 Mar (Sat): "A City in Nature for coastal resilience" zoom talk

As sea levels rise due to climate change, how can we keep our coastlines safe cost-effectively while ensuring a liveable environment and flourishing biodiversity? Can natural habitats and urban infrastructure work together in harmony to mitigate and adapt to climate change?

Corals (and seagrasses) have settled naturally
on the artificial shores of East Coast Park.

Join Jonathan and Zestin from NParks and guest speaker A/P Dan Friess of the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions as they share about how we can utilise the myriad benefits of our coastal habitats to make a more climate-resilient Singapore and Southeast Asia.

NParks City in Nature Webinar: A City in Nature for coastal resilience 
Date: 5 Mar (Sat)
Time: 10-11am
More details and registration on the NParks website

11 Sep (Sat): Talk on "Shorebirds of Ubin"

Join Mr David Li from NParks to learn how our shorebirds make their annual long-distance journey in search for warmer places to spend their winter. Pulau Ubin is one important stopover location for some of them.

More about how Singapore is Shorebird Central. This talk is held as part of Pesta Ubin.

Date: 11 Sep 2021 (Sat)
Time: 1:30pm
Cost: Free!

Watch for free on YouTube live NParks channel.

If you'd like to participate in the Q&A session, register online by 9 Sep 

More about Pesta Ubin.

4 Sep (Sat): FREE online sharing with Young Nautilus

Find out more about our marine life! Join Young Nautilus in this special online sharing as part of Pesta Ubin!

Date: 4 Sep 2021
Time: 11am, 12:30pm
Platform: Zoom
Cost: Free!
Pre-registration is required.
Event link: https://youngnautilusvirtual.whereby.com/young-nautilus (To be access on 4 Sep 2021)

More about Pesta Ubin.

8 Sep and 11 Sep: Virtual tour of "Human X Nature" for kids and teens

Specially for families, join this fun and interactive virtual tour of the National Library’s exhibition Human x Nature: Environmental Histories of Singapore.

Learn about the natural world and how local and colonial communities lived within and transformed the natural landscape in Singapore and the region. Through videos and live interactive activities, participants will be able to have a taste of the physical exhibition currently ongoing at the National Library.

8 Sep (Wed) 6-7pm: Register here
11 Sep (Sat) 11am-12noon: Register here

23 Sep (Thu): 7pm "Crustacean Diversity" on zoom

Crustaceans are Singapore's favourite animals! Think Chilli Crab and Sambal Prawns! Find out MORE about them at this zoom talk by the National Library.

Date: 23 Sep (Thu)
Time: 7-8.30pm
Register online here

17 Aug (Tue): "Blue Secrets of the Little Red Dot" by Dr Zeehan Jaafar 6-7pm

Discover the history of Singapore's shores and the efforts being made to conserve them. Join this fascinating talk by Dr Zeehan Jaafar.

Tue, 17 Aug 2021
6 pm – 7 pm
Zoom Webinar: register here https://go.gov.sg/17aug-fb

Talks on restoration of Singapore's shores - July-August

Singapore has amazing coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangroves! 

Join these talks to learn more about efforts to restore them, and how you can make a difference. Register here.

20 Feb (Sat): Fun with Mangrove Wildlife for kids!

FREE, for kids! Learn about our mangrove animals with Gloria Seow of the Nature Society (Singapore).

Get tips on how to spot and identify mangrove animals around Singapore, such as at Sungei Buloh, Pasir Ris Park and Pulau Ubin. Learn about the clever adaptations that allow them to survive in this amazing habitat. Ask your questions too at this online session.

16 Dec (Wed): Talk on "Conserving the Ocean's Rhinos in Singapore"

Learn about rhino rays: guitarfishes and wedgefishes. Find out how Singapore can play an international role in protecting these fascinating but endangered fishes.

The talk is by Ms. Christina Choy, Wildlife Conservation Society. And is part of the St John's Island National Marine Park Research Seminar Series.

Places are limited, register here

22 Nov (Sun): Talk on "Kayaking through the Mangroves - My Love Story"

As he paddled into the mangroves on his kayak, he discovered a lot more than he was expecting… Say Chong found true love… love for kayaking, love for the mangroves and even the love of his life… this is his story...

Join this special sharing session by Say Chong, together with the Marine Conservation Group (MCG) of NSS as he takes you on a journey through the various pristine coastal mangrove areas around Singapore on his Kayak – as seen through his eyes.

12 Nov (Thu): "It’s Not A ‘Clamity’! Navigating through Marine Conservation in Singapore"

A marine biologist working on Singapore shores, Dr Neo Mei Lin will share more about what inspires her. Best known for her work on Giant clams, Dr Neo will also highlight the important role of scientists in public engagement.

Dr Neo with a Giant clam on Pulau Jong
with the Singapore city skyline on the horizon.

Date: 12 Nov (Thu)

Time: 5pm, Singapore (GMT+8)

Register online here.

31 Oct (Sat): "Once upon our coast" talk by NSS Marine Conservation Group

A pictorial conversation of Singapore's coast from 1950s - 1970s when the coastline was vastly different from today - It was largely natural and indented. Fishing villages dotted the shores. Inshore fishing was an occupation for many. Kelongs were abundant in the shallow waters. Prawn ponds occupied the estuaries of major rivers. And there were thriving communities in the islands off Singapore.

Join the Nature Society (Singapore) Marine Conservation Group this October as we gather virtually for a ‘Kopi Session’ with some of our friends to reminisce about our natural coastal heritage. We shall travel back in time with them as they relive memories from the 1950s to the 70s; sharing their stories of a time past where our shorelines and coastal areas look very different from what they are like now.