Earth Hour 2020 – 28 March

Started by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment, engaging millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories. It has become a catalyst for positive environmental impact, driving major legislative changes by harnessing the power of the people.

2020 is a watershed year for our planet’s future. We have just 10 years to meet urgent goals set out to rein in the world’s climate crisis and preserve the Earth’s biodiversity.

Nature is essential for all the things we need to survive and thrive. But human activity is pushing the natural system we all rely on to the edge, threatening all life on Earth.

World leaders must commit to an ambitious New Deal for Nature and People that protects and restores nature by 2030 – safeguarding at least 30 per cent of natural spaces and sustainably managing the rest, while limiting global warning to 1.5C.

To achieve that we must start at home, where there’s much to be done to reach our goal of transforming Hong Kong into Asia’s most sustainable city.

We can transform Hong Kong’s natural environment by:

Protecting our Wetlands
With local biodiversity at risk, we need to protect wetlands of ecological value from unauthorised habitat destruction

Managing our Oceans
This year is potentially our last chance to protect Hong Kong’s Chinese white dolphins by expanding our marine protected areas, particularly in waters off West and South Lantau. We need 30% of our waters to be designated as MPAs by 2030!

Revolutionising Energy
In order to do our part in tackling the climate crisis, Hong Kong needs to scale up use of renewable energy by embracing new technology in order to meet our 10% RE target by 2030.

Rewilding Our Wild
As a major hub for the illegal wildlife trade, Hong Kong must strengthen enforcement against the poaching, trafficking and consumption of the world’s most threatened species. We call for the shutdown of all wildlife markets across Asia and for communities to protect and help restore wildlife populations.

Change the way we live, change the way YOU live. Take the Earth Hour Pledge now!

Date: 28 March 2020

Time: 8:30-9:30pm

Place: Everywhere

Price: What’s the earth worth to you?

Hoi Ha Biodiversity Excursion – 23 Feb

The new year is a good time for hiking and exploring Hong Kong wildlife.

In this excursion, EncompassHK will first lead you to experience one of the most innovative outdoor water stations by Urban Spring at the Park Tam Chung Sai Kung Country Park visitor center. They’ll also teach you how to make use of iNaturalist and compete in the April’s worldwide City Nature Challenge.

Program

⁃ Introduction to iNatrualist and City Nature Challenge

⁃ Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals (especailly on responsible consumption) and Urban Springs outdoor wells.

⁃ Introduction to marine fauna with expert guide Dr. Cynthia Yau

⁃ Marine naturalist ID with a demonstration of the iNaturalist app

⁃ Guided walk along Hoi Ha Nature Trail and Marine Park area, including visits to Hoi Ha’s Antiquities Monument, Hoi Ha ecologically sensitive stream

⁃ Introduction to developmental issues at Hoi Ha Wan (by Friends of Hoi Ha chairperson Nicola Newbury)

With an AFCD-estimated 45,000 visitors in 2015, Hoi Ha Wan is Hong Kong’s most accessible Marine Park and is a popular destination for day-trippers. Watch out for monkeys in the trees, cows on the road, and a stunning view over Long Harbour as the road drops down from Pak Tam Au. With a wealth of corals, including 64 of the 84 species of stony corals found in Hong Kong, Hoi Ha Wan has been a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1986 and was gazetted as a Marine Park in 1996. We will explore the diversity of marine life in the mangrove and sandy shore habitats at HHW.

The City Nature Challenge is a friendly international competition that encourages people to go outside and discover the local wildlife. Simply observe and take pictures of plants and animals in natural areas near you on the free app, iNaturalist. No prior experience necessary – anyone and everyone is welcome to participate!

Who: Everyone! Families including accompanied children over 3 are welcome.

What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip flops please, as the beach may have sharp dangerous items including broken glass, oyster shells), comfortable clothes, hat. Do be warned you may get your footwear wet on the shore, so please bring your own change of dry shoes if needed.

What to Bring: Water (minimum 0.5 L in reusable container – Bonaqua bottle, Watsons bottle etc. are not allowed). Water refill during the trip is possible. Sun screen, hat and insect repellent. Small umbrella for shade.

Not allowed: No flip flops or open sandals during intertidal excursion. No one-time-use plastic bottles or food containers/wrappers! Other remarks: There is no wheelchair access anywhere in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park.

Date: Sunday, 23 February 2020

Time: 10:30am – 5pm
(Coach will return to Kowloon Tong with drop off at Choi Hung station by 5 pm)

Place: 10:30am outside Kowloon Tong Exit C

Price: $280 (including coach fee, guided walk, light lunch, handouts about Hoi Ha Wan, donation to Friends of Hoi Ha) to register please follow this link to EventBrite

*No parking available for external guests in Hoi Ha Village, so we do not advise you to drive there.

About Encompass HK: Encompass HK, a local social enterprise promoting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

Kadoorie Farm Food Waste Recovery Workshop 2020

There is a growing volume of waste generation in Hong Kong and public concern on related issues is escalating. Given food waste is the major constituent of municipal solid waste in Hong Kong, both its reduction and recovery are important in addressing the overall challenges of waste management. This course will guide participants to learn different technologies for recovering household food waste to planting resource, as well as exploring ways to reduce food waste at sources.

Content:
– The principles of compost-making and application;
– Identifying food waste that is suitable for compost-making;
– An introduction of different methods for recovering household food waste, which includes compost-bin design, bokashi composting, garbage enzyme making and criteria for selecting composting machines;
– Application of food waste compost and garbage enzyme; and
– Ways to reduce food waste at the source

Course size: 23 persons (first come first served)

Language: Cantonese

Date: Saturday, 6 June 2020

Time: 10am – 4:30pm

Place: Kadoorie Farm

Price: $420 (including vegetarian lunch)

To register please follow this link to the Kadoorie Farm website.

For enquiries please contact the Sustainable Living and Agriculture Department at (852) 2483 7161 or sla@kfbg.org

About Kadoorie Farm: Established in 1956 as a base for the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association (K.A.A.A.), the KFBG site near Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, is one of Hong Kong’s little known jewels. Nine kilometres of road wind their way up around organic farming terraces, theme gardens and native forest to the summit of the mountain, Kwun Yum Shan, at over 1800ft above sea level. A wide variety of educational displays, sustainability features and wildlife rescue facilities complement the extensively landscaped gardens with their cobbled paths, pavilions, bridges, waterfalls and picnic spots.

KFBG‘s three core programmes – Nature Conservation, Holistic Education and Sustainable Living – are constantly evolving as they address different aspects of the challenge to live in harmony with nature. In addition to the many on-site courses, workshops and special events that have been developed for the education and upliftment of visitors, KFBG‘s activities extend throughout Hong Kong and into South China and other parts of the region.

One last word before Christmas…give generously

This will be the last blog post of the year. As we dive into the Festive Season, spare a thought for those less fortunate. With the continued social unrest, it’s been a particularly difficult year for nonprofits to raise funds with many fundraising events either postponed or cancelled. They need your help more than ever.

So please spare a thought for them and donate generously. The organisations listed under Volunteer Opportunities on this blog would welcome your donations.

Happy Holidays, posts will resume in the New Year!

WWF Connect2Nature 4 Kids

Through outdoor experiential learning at WWF learning centres, children learn about the link between humans and nature, nurturing a positive attitude towards our natural environment.

Features
Explore incredible natural environments
Learn about nature at Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park and Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre, Tai Po natural coastline & Island House Conservation Studies Centre

Enjoy nature in a FUN way
Children develop an appreciation for nature through experiential learning and citizen science activities in natural habitats

Enhance collaborative skills
Group missions encourage active communication and collaboration among children

Learn from experienced educators
Facilitate children’s experience that can be applied to their daily life

Programme starts in January — book your place now!

JUNIOR ORNITHOLOGIST

Ever wondered why Mai Po Nature Reserve is called a bird paradise?

Join WWF’s Junior Ornithologist programme and let your kids view first-hand the thousands of migratory birds that pass through the reserve each year. Kids ages 6-12 will discover the world of ornithology while developing patience and observation skills through bird watching, games and a variety of other activities, including keeping a “wild journal”. Limited capacity.
Age: 6-12
Activity Time: 8:30am to 5:30pm

Date: 11, 12, 18 January 2020

Time:
Morning
Explore Hong Kong’s only wetland nature reserve
Fun games about birds
Lunch @ Mai Po Nature Reserve (provided by WWF)
Afternoon
Observe and record migratory birds

Place: Mai Po Nature Reserve

Price: HK$ 900/child
For more information and to register please follow this link.

JUNIOR URBAN ECOLOGIST

Be one of WWF’s Junior Urban Ecologists and discover Hong Kong’s rich and extraordinary urban biodiversity at city parks and natural coastlines. Through games and observation at Tai Po Waterfront Park and Island House Conservation Studies Centre, children and parents will learn about the relationship between organisms and the environment, while nurturing interest in local species. They will also create their own urban “Pokédex” for recording urban wildlife encountered.

Date: 8, 22,23 February 2020

Time:
Morning
Learn about urban ecology through interactive games
Discover urban biodiversity
Lunch @ Island House (provided by WWF)
Afternoon
Natural coastal exploration
Create urban “Pokédex”
Age: 6-12 (must be accompanied by at least 1 adult)
Activity Time: 8:30am to 5:30pm

Place: Tai Po Waterfront Park and Island House Conservation Studies Centre

Price: HK$ 1350 (1 Child and 1 parent) ,
HK$ 900 for 2nd Child,
HK$ 450 for 2nd parent
For more information and to register please follow this link.

JUNIOR OCEANOGRAPHER

Kids will explore a marine environment and experience the work of an oceanographer at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. They will learn to observe beach organisms as well as microscopic plankton and investigate seawater quality and its relationship with marine life. The programme content aligns with General Studies curriculum and STEM education.

Date: 19, 25, 26 April 2020

Time:
Morning
Coastal exploration
Use of scientific equipment to find out characteristics of seawater
Lunch @ Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park (provided by WWF)
Afternoon
Plankton observation & art workshop
Coral observation on glass-bottom boat
Age: 6-12
Activity Time: 8:30am to 5:30pm

Place: Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park

Price: HK$ 900/child
For more information and to register please follow this link.

About WWF HK: WWF-Hong Kong was founded in 1981 and is an integral part of WWF’s global network. Their work began with managing Mai Po Nature Reserve and conserving iconic species. Over the years, they have expanded and adjusted their mission to better serve Hong Kong’s conservation and education needs and align themselves with WWF’s global strategy.

Island House Festival 7-8 Dec

Discover sustainable solutions to change the way we live at WWF-Hong Kong’s Island House Conservation Studies Centre in Tai Po, featuring talks by conservation experts, eco-guided visits, workshops, film screenings and a green market with live music, DIY workshops, face painting and more!

Come with your family and friends and learn how to reduce your ecological footprint.

Date: 7-8 December 2019 (Saturday & Sunday)

Time: 10:30am-5pm

Place: Island House Conservation Studies Centre, Tai Po

About WWF-Hong Kong: WWF-Hong Kong was founded in 1981 and is an integral part of WWF’s global network. Their work began with managing Mai Po Nature Reserve and conserving iconic species. Over the years, WWF-Hong Kong has expanded and adjusted its mission to better serve Hong Kong’s conservation and education needs and align themselves with WWF’s global strategy.

Room to Read Volunteers needed: Festive ‘Stories from The Tree’ at The Peninsula Hotel

Room to Read needs volunteers to support the festive campaign at The Peninsula Hotel selling six colourful character ornaments to raise funds for Room to Read!

Meals will be provided for volunteers. Please note that persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

If interested, please email Annie at annie.dahne@roomtoread.org for more information and shift times.

Date: December 1-20 and 27-30

About Room to Read: Room to Read is a non-profit organization for improving literacy and gender equality in education in the developing world.