References - Press Releases - Hong Kong

2004

The Hon C Y Leung, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council, HK SAR Government, presented awards to 59 green-minded and visionary companies who have joined or renewed the WWF Corporate Membership to help safeguard Hong Kong's natural environment for the benefits of people and wildlife on 27 Auguest 2004.

Last year, Double Diamond Member was introduced as a new category of corporate membership and 2 companies joined. This year, a total of 4 companies joined as Double Diamond Members, marking an increase of 100% of this category. Double Diamond Members included HSBC, Jebsen & Co. Ltd, MF Jebsen International Limited and The Wharf (Holdings) Limited.

		"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the companies who have joined our corporate membership programme in particular the Double Diamond Members. The increase in the number of Double Diamond members indicated that more companies are willing to make a higher level of investment in our environment as they believe the return on their investment will be greater than they invest. Their investment will not only help safeguard Hong Kong's very important natural habitats, but also ensure a better environment for our present and future generations," remarked Mr. Markus Shaw, WWF Hong Kong Chairman. For the past twenty years, WWF Hong Kong has worked very hard to manage the reserve which has become a very important platform to spread the message of wetland conservation to the general public and students. Our Mai Po education visits programme was launched in 1985 and every year over 10,000 school children join the programme to learn the importance of Mai Po and wetlands. This year, we have also developed a series of thematic marine education programmes to enhance better understanding of the students on our marine environment.
The Hon C Y Leung, Member of the Executive Council, HK SAR Government officated the ceremony.

"This past June, we have run a series of public education programmes. These included the Humphead Wrasse public awareness campaign, Big Fish Count as well as our newly launched Student Dolphin Ambassador Programme. The objectives of running these programmes are to enhance public awareness on our wonderful marine environment and seek more public support for the marine conservation programmes. We have very beautiful corals and marine life in our seas and we all have an obligation to protect it for our future generations. WWF Hong Kong will work hard to ensure these marine treasures will be protected by lobbying for the designation of more marine protected areas and calling for more effective management on the marine parks," added Mr. Shaw. Also joining the ceremony included Miss Charlie Young, our new Dolphin Ambassador, who played host in our latest video to help raise public awareness on the plight of the Chinese White Dolphin.
		From left: Mr. Eric Bohm, WWF Hong Kong CEO; Ms Charlie Young, Dolphin Ambassador; Mr. CY Leung; and Mr. Markus Shaw, WWF Hong Kong Chairman restored our marine environment to show the support for marine conservation.

Mr. Eric Bohm, WWF Hong Kong new Chief Executive Officer, said at the ceremony, "We have been put into a very critical financial situation with the outbreak of avian flu earlier this year. More resources are needed to continue our conservation and education programmes for the long-term benefit of the people and wildlife. Despite facing the financial difficulties, WWF Hong Kong is committed to protecting our precious natural environment to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature as stated in our mission. We need your continued support to achieve our conservation objectives."

The Corporate Membership Programme was launched in 2000 to engage the business community in protecting our precious natural environment. Since its inception, the membership has grown from 35 to 59 marking an increase of 69%.

Four categories of corporate membership were offered, namely the Double Diamond, Diamond, Gold and Silver Membership with different levels of contribution and support. All corporate members will be updated with regular conservation news and be invited to participate in green activities such as voluntary work at Mai Po, dolphin boat trips and visits to some of the ecological hotspots to enhance their knowledge in conservation and environmental protection.

WWF Hong Kong works to ensure a better environment for present and future generations in Hong Kong by implementing a wide range of focused conservation and environmental education programmes for the benefits of wildlife and people of Hong Kong and China. The funds raised will go to our conservation and environmental education programmes to safeguard our natural environment.

Special thanks to Ms. Janice Lui for being our voluntary Master of Ceremony at the function.

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