Free tours to be held every weekend to showcase little-known aspects of Gardens by the Bay

Have you ever noticed the Sandbox Tree at the World of Plants in Gardens by the Bay while you’re there? If your answer is no, don’t worry, you are not alone. 

The unusual-looking tree which is native to the Amazon, also known as “Monkey No-Climb Tree” because of its prickly bark, is among some of the little-known and surprising aspects of the Gardens by the Bay. 

As part of its latest educational initiative, that focuses on nurturing a culture of sustainability in the community, the Gardens by the Bay has curated a series of free Nature and Sustainability Tours for the public to showcase these aspects. 

These tours, which are free, will be held every weekend at 8.30am and 10.30am. Each tour is one-hour long and will be led by a professional guide. 

The Nature and Sustainability Tours leverage on Gardens by the Bay as a working model for sustainable development and conservation. The series will use real and often little known examples at the Gardens to illustrate sometimes complex concepts to the layman.

Two themes – Carbon and Climate, as well as Urban Wetlands – will kick off the tour In January. 

In the Carbon and Climate tour, participants will gain insights including the Gardens’ sustainable energy, waste and resource management practices that contribute to cutting carbon within its grounds.

Meanwhile, participants of the Urban Wetlands tour can gain insights on the role of urban wetlands in face of climate change.

In February, the series will expand to include the Biodiversity and Ecosystems, as well as Seeds and Senses themes.

Slated to run until 2025, the Nature and Sustainability tours will eventually expand to a total of five themes and eight different routes.

Beyond sustainability, Gardens by the Bay says that the series will also help participants uncover hidden gems at the attraction. These include a plant that smells like root beer and a property that is both antimicrobial and repellent to pests.

According to Gardens by the Bay, the Nature and Sustainability Tours are expected to reach over 28,000 people by the end of its three-year run. 

The tours are supported by Keppel Care Foundation with a pledge of $300,000 to run the series.

Registration for Carbon and Climate, and Urban Wetlands themed tours in the month of January will open on Saturday (Dec 17). Capacity is limited and admission tickets will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Registration for subsequent runs of the tours will open every first Wednesday of each month for the following month.