To commemorate Darwin Day 2022, members and friends of the Humanist Society (Singapore) gathered on the morning of 26 February 2022 for a historical nature walk through Bukit Timah. The event paid tribute to Charles Darwin and celebrated the legacy of Alfred Russel Wallace—the British naturalist who independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection.
Between 1854 and 1862, Wallace visited Singapore multiple times during his eight-year exploration of the Malay Archipelago. Seeking proximity to the island’s remaining primary forests, he stayed with French Roman Catholic missionaries at St. Joseph’s Church in the Bukit Timah district. From this base, Wallace trekked daily into the hilltops, collecting thousands of insect and bird specimens.
Led by Hang Chong—an avid naturalist and veteran Nature Society (Singapore) member—participants kicked off the morning with an introductory briefing before embarking on a 3.5 km guided route through the approximate area Wallace once explored.
Starting at 8:00 AM from Beauty World MRT station, the group traversed several key landmarks while observing strict COVID-19 safety measures in small groups of five:
- Old KTM Railway & Rail Corridor: Participants walked along sections of the historic transport artery and green corridor, stopping to observe local flora, such as a notable fig tree along the way.
- Hindhede Bridge & Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge: The guide shared insights on the area’s biodiversity, geological history, and industrial heritage.
- St. Joseph’s Church (Bukit Timah): The walk concluded with a special visit to the historical church where Wallace once resided. Church volunteers welcomed the group for an in-depth tour, showcasing unique site features including a statue of St. Joseph, the church’s distinctive depiction of the 15th Station of the Cross, and the historical headstone of Father Y.M. Mauduit (the French missionary who hosted Wallace).
By 10:00 AM, the tour wrapped up with group photographs capturing the participants alongside their guide, successfully blending Singapore’s rich natural history, evolutionary science, and local heritage into a memorable morning outdoors.
