Tag: Agriculture Education

November Events in Singapore

November events in Singapore that help you raise awareness, take action, connect with nature, be a part of the environmental movement, and meet like-minded people.

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1. Organic Composting for Gardening

Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday, 14th November 

Place: Punggol Regional Library – Programme Room

Organiser: GoLibrary, National Library Board

Description:

The Organic Composting for Gardening Programme discusses the importance of organic composting in gardening and its role in contributing to sustainability in Singapore. Key speaker Jayden Ong, co-founder of SoilSocial, will share about the practical aspects of organic composting at home and within community gardens. 

Registration is free. Reserve a spot here.

GoLibrary is the organiser of Programmes on Sustainability. Head to an NLB library to pick up tips on how to live a greener life! Explore other programmes and offerings here.  

2. What’s in my water?

Time: 9:30 a.m.­ – 11:00 a.m., Saturday, 18th November 

Place: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Organiser: National Parks

Description:

What’s in my water? is a guided morning walk at Sungei Buloh that offers an opportunity to explore and familiarize yourself with the diverse land and coastal creatures and plants inhabiting the wetland reserve. Sungei Buloh comprises mangroves, mudflats, ponds, and forests, making it a tropical haven for a wide-ranging ecosystem that includes mudskippers, crabs, water snakes, monitor lizards, otters, and various other species.

The What’s in my water? tour is free. Limited to 12 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis. Registration opens at 8 a.m., 10th November. The walk will be cancelled if it rains. 

3. East Coast Beach Plan Cleanups

Time: Friday, 10th November, Friday, 17th November, Friday, 24th November 

Place: East Coast Park

Organiser: @eastcoastbeachplan

Description:

The East Coast Beach Plan is a ground-up initiative for anyone interested to join or self-organise clean-ups to do their part to reduce plastic pollution from entering the ocean. Note that all sessions are ad-hoc and self-organised by interested individuals, nothing is really centrally organised. Do participate safely and at your own discretion and risk.

Read this document before you go!

4. Zero • Market

Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, 18th November, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sunday, 19th November

Place: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, 30A Yishun Central 1, Singapore 768796

Organiser: Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre 慈济人文青年中心

Description:

The Zero • Market is a sustainable lifestyle market, where fresh produce and sustainable goods are available! They are working towards Zero Waste, starting with Zero Meat and Zero Plastic (except for unavoidable plastic packaging). It takes place every 1st and 3rd Weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of the month unless otherwise stated. Visit the Zero • Market and don’t forget to bring your own bag!

5. Love Our Coast Beach Cleanup

Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Sunday, 26th November 

Place: Georges @ The Cove

Organiser: Georges

Description:

Love Our Coast Beach Cleanup is an initiative led by georges to promote care and responsibility for the beaches and coastal ecosystems in Singapore. The cleanup process comprises an initial briefing, during which participants will receive cleaning equipment. Following the cleanup, they will be responsible for sorting the items collected from the beach.

Registration is free. Click here to sign up.  

6. Repair Kopitiam

Time: Sunday, 26th November 

Place: Various locations 

Organiser: Repair Kopitiam 

Description:

Repair Kopitiam is an initiative designed to combat the disposable culture by offering a platform where individuals can mend their personal belongings with guidance and assistance from volunteer “Repair Coaches”. This do-it-yourself (DIY) repair event takes place on the final Sunday of each month at different locations throughout the country. To participate, attendees need to schedule a specific timeslot and are allowed to bring up to two items for repair during each session.

Booking opens on 10th November through 21st November. Read event house rules here.

7. Turning waste to energy: TuasOne Waste-To-Energy Plant Tour

Time: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., 28th November 

Place: Jurong East MRT Station (Meeting point)

Organiser: CGS Experiences

Description:   

Turning waste to energy: TuasOne Waste-To-Energy Plant Tour is a guided visit to Singapore’s sixth waste-to-energy plant. The plant can process about 35% of the garbage that Singapore generates daily, incinerating up to 3,600 tonnes of waste and generating up to 120 megawatts of electricity daily. Explore the facilities and learn about the technologies employed to turn waste materials into energy.

Learn more about the tour and register here. 

Edit: Wow! This tour is popular and completely booked out now. You can join the waitlist or organise your own group booking via the NEA Portal.

For the little ones:

8. Weird and Wonderful Plants

Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday, 20th November

Place: Singapore Botanic Gardens, Centre for Education & Outreach

Organiser: National Parks

Description:

Weird and Wonderful Plants is a children’s workshop and guided tour through the Singapore Botanic Gardens to observe unique and strange plants in their natural habitat. Participants will discover plants with such as the Pitcher plant, Venus flytrap, Ant plant, and Air plant and learn about their important ecological roles, why plant life is crucial for the environment and why it’s essential to conserve biodiversity.

The Weird and Wonderful Plants workshop is $50 per child. Suitable for children in Primary 1 to 6. 

9. Deep Field by Tin&Ed

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., 16th – 26th November

Place: ArtScience Museum, Basement 2, Rainbow Room

Organiser: ArtScience Museum

Description:

Deep Field by Tin&Ed is an immersive art experience by Australian artists Tin Nguyen and Edward Cutting. The experience starts with a guided tour of the museum where participants will have a chance to design their own imaginary flora and fauna taking inspiration from the natural environment. Their creations will be added to a new ecosystem of plants revealed through the lens of Augmented Reality (AR). As participants immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the natural world, they are prompted to establish a deeper connection with and contemplate their relationship with our planet and nature.

The Deep Field by Tin&Ed workshop is free with registration. Click here for more information about Tin&Ed. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Book here to reserve a slot. 

Reducing Food Waste: The Art of Proper Vegetable & Fruit Storage

When we throw away food, we’re not just wasting the food itself, but also the time, resources, and energy that went into producing and transporting it. A simple way to combat the problem of food waste is by learning how to store our vegetables properly.

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In a bustling metropolis like Singapore, where space and resources are at a premium, the issue of food waste takes on added significance. When we throw away food, we’re not just wasting the food itself, but also the time, resources, and energy that went into producing and transporting it. A simple way to combat this problem is by learning how to store our vegetables properly, extending their freshness and reducing food waste in the process.

Composting food scraps is undoubtedly an effective method to decrease waste and nourish our soils but preventing food from reaching the compost bin in the first place is even more impactful. By adopting proper storage techniques, we can maximize the shelf life of our vegetables and minimize food wastage in our homes.

Let’s delve into some of the practical tips and tricks for storing vegetables and fruit in Singapore to maximise their freshness:

  • Tropical tip: Given Singapore’s tropical climate, it’s essential to be mindful of temperature and humidity. Keep most vegetables and fruit in the refrigerator, as the humidity and warmth can cause rapid spoilage in our tropical environment.

Leafy Greens: Leafy greens, like kai lan and kangkong, should be stored in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags to prevent wilting. Add a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture and maintain their crispness. Store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

Bok Choy, Nai Bai and Chinese Cabbage: These staples can be stored in the fridge, but first, wrap them in a damp cloth or paper towel to maintain their moisture content and crispness.

Tropical Fruits: Singapore is known for its variety of tropical fruits. Store fruits like durian, mangosteen, and rambutan in the fridge to extend their shelf life, especially if you don’t plan to consume them immediately.

Tomatoes: Storing tomatoes upside down prevents moisture from escaping and keeps bacteria at bay. This simple technique can significantly extend the shelf life of your tomatoes.

Cool, dark, and well-ventilated: Keep your potatoes, garlic, and onions in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space. But keep the potatoes and onions separated as they can make the other spoil faster.

Chill the Chilies: To prolong the life of your chili peppers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help keep them fresh and vibrant for longer.

Avocados: To ripen avocados faster, place them in a paper bag with a banana, apple or pear. Once ripe, transfer them to the refrigerator to extend their shelf life.

Herbs: To keep herbs like coriander, mint, and laksa leaves fresh, submerge their roots in a glass of water in the refrigerator. Trim the stems and change the water regularly.

  • Local Produce: Embrace locally grown vegetables, as they are likely to stay fresher longer due to shorter transportation distances. Supporting local farmers not only reduces food waste but also bolsters the local agricultural industry.
  • Plan Your Purchases: In Singapore’s compact living spaces, it’s crucial to plan your grocery purchases wisely. Buy what you need and consume it before it spoils. This practice not only reduces waste but also helps you make the most of your kitchen space.

By adopting these simple storage guidelines, we can prolong the life of our vegetables and fruit, reduce food waste, and save money in the process. Remember, reducing food waste is a collective responsibility that benefits us all, making Singapore a greener and more environmentally conscious place to live. Let’s embark on this journey toward reducing food waste, starting in our own kitchens, and lead the way to a more sustainable future for Singapore.

Have you mastered the art of vegetable storage? What other tips have you tried and tested? Share them in the comment section below.