A total of 2,000 participants and representative from 31 organizations took part in the two-day Walk For Nature, now in its 26th year, held from 4-5 November at the iconic Mai Po Nature Reserve.

[HONG KONG – 4 November 2017] A total of 2,000 participants and representative from 31 organizations took part in the two-day Walk For Nature, now in its 26th year, held from 4-5 November at the iconic Mai Po Nature Reserve.

Meandering along the sunny 5-kilometre walking route, participants got a glimpse of the enclave’s 2,050 species while discovering WWF’s “Sustainable Living Lab”. The lab took the form of 10 checkpoints with activities designed to stimulate the five senses of sight, sound, taste, touch and smell to introduce the rich world of wetland biodiversity and encourage them to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

Highly-anticipated new events this year included a guided tour down a floating boardwalk amidst an ethereal mangrove forest, and yoga in a secluded bird hide with views of pristine mudflats stretching ahead.

Kicking off the event was honourable guests Mr Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP, the Secretary of Environmental Bureau; Dr Leung Siu-fai, JP, Director of Agriculture, Fishery and Conservation Department and Prof Lam Chiu-ying, SBS, Adjunct Professor at the Department of Geography and Resource Management of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Also in attendance was Mr Edward M. Ho, Chairman of WWF-Hong Kong’s Executive Council; Mr Peter Cornthwaite, CEO of WWF-Hong Kong and Ms Leila Kong, Walk for Nature’s Ambassador this year. Mr Ho gave an overview of the conservation and education achievements at Mai Po over the past year and shed light on the upcoming infrastructure upgrade project.

Speaking at the event, Mr Wong said, “I am glad to witness the biodiversity and unique habitats of Mai Po have being well-preserved over the decades. In addition to transform Hong Kong into a sustainable city, the government launched various environmental policies under the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) to enhance the protection of the Hong Kong’s ecological environment. Citizens are also encouraged to reduce waste from source through adopting a green lifestyle, for instance, bring our own container for drinks and food, to reduce unnecessary waste.”

Dr Leung added, “In alignment with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the government has formulated the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) for Hong Kong in last year. Various actions have been implemented which are closely related to BSAP to conserve the very important ecological value in Mai Po. In addition, the traditionally managed gei wai at Mai Po could preserve the fishery heritage at the turn of last century.”

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Walk For Nature 2017: Where Biodiversity and Sustainability Meet

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