by: The Beat Asia
After a couple of years of staying indoors due to the global health crisis, you’re probably itching to hop on a plane and visit your favourite places.
If like us, you missed exploring nature, we’ve combed the web to help you find ways to reconnect with nature. Here are some of our recommended nature-friendly activities in Hong Kong.
The Environmental Campaign Committee, led by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), provides nature-friendly activities in Hong Kong to promote greening education and community involvement programmes.
Take part in the protection of plants and animals while conserving the environment by signing up for horticulture courses offered by LCSD’s Zoological and Horticultural Education Unit.
In this course, you can learn more about gardening techniques, plant maintenance, propagation skills, and more. It is divided into three levels (elementary, intermediate, and advanced) with four and six sessions, respectively. Each session may last 1.75 hours every Saturday or Sunday.
Course fees range from HK$106 to HK$154. The classes offered are available in Cantonese only.
Read the complete horticulture course structure via the LCSD website.
If you are the type who loves to delve into marine life, we recommend seeing Hoi Ha Wan Visitor Centre located in Sai Kung West Country Park. It is the first thematic marine park visitor centre in the region that opened last June 2021.
The visitor centre was established to help raise public understanding of the importance of marine parks and marine reserves, as well as how to manage them. It is further designed to introduce ecological studies and marine conservation among to its guests.
The Centre is built with an exhibition hall with displays of Hoi Ha’s history, Hong Kong’s marine protected areas, and other marine ecological resources in the region. As part of its education programme, they offer public guided tours and school education seminars. However, schedule for outdoor education activities may vary depending on the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
For those who wish to join nature-friendly activities at the marine park, you may send an application form online.
If you are fascinated with birdwatching, the World Wide Fun (WWF)-Hong Kong organises an eco-tour to Mai Po Nature Reserve, where you can witness thousands of migratory and endangered species every winter. Howxever, the number of visitors is limited to avoid disturbing their natural habitats.
Visiting the nature reserve requires a permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) but thanks to WWF that opened its gates to everyone. Every Wednesday to Sunday the organisation treats Hong Kong residents to a nature-friendly trip filled with awe-inspiring sights of beautiful bird species.
To check the availability of your preferred eco visit, you may book at the WWF-HK website.
Air pollution and regional smog are some serious problems in Hong Kong caused by motor vehicles, power plants, and marine vessels. The Clean Air Network showed that the annual average concentrations of major air pollutants worsened from 3% to 12% in 2020, according to a report from the South China Morning Post.
Aside from street-level air pollution, emissions from aviation are one to blame for the worsening air pollution. Included in our list of nature-friendly activities is research about responsible travelling.
You may check out these eco-friendly travel items, restaurants that serve sustainability, and other nature-friendly efforts you can get involved in Hong Kong.
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