The
Rotary Centennial Institute for Wetland Conservation
| Introduction | List of Projects | Project Details | Photo Gallery |
The Rotary Centennial
Institute for Wetland Conservation (RCIWC) is a charitable organization
that aims to provide education and public awareness programme on
wetland environmental issue for the public in Hong Kong. It is a joint
Institute of five Rotary Clubs in District 3450 Area 5 and WWF Hong
Kong. By providing training courses, education and outreach programme,
it intends to raise the awareness of professionals engaged in the built
environment, students, and other stakeholders in the community on the
importance of wetland, their conservation and management.
Renovation of Peter Scott Field Studies Centre
Renovation of the Peter Scott Field Studies Centre (PSFSC) which is
owned and managed by WWF Hong Kong was completed and opened in 23
February 2005. The renovation aimed to celebrate Rotary International
Centennial and provide better facilities for the wetland education
programme and wetland training programme carried out at the PSFSC.
This booklet provides a general introduction to Mai Po Nature Reserve
and the surrounding environment and through it, we hope to be able to
draw wider attention to the conservation of Mai Po. This booklet was
produced for sale through Joint Publishing Ltd. and is available
throughout the bookstores of its network since February 2005.
Seminar on State of Hong Kong's Environment
A seminar on State of Hong Kong’s Environment was held on 25
February 2006. The seminar aims to celebrate the anniversary of the
Institute and introduce the current state of Hong Kong’s natural
environment and the local conservation work in order to raise public
awareness on related issues. Three speakers, Dr. Lew Young (Mai Po
Reserve Manage, WWF Hong Kong), Mr. Clarus Chu (Conservation Officer,
WWF Hong Kong) and Dr. Billy Hau (Assistant Professor, Department of
Ecology and Biodiversity, University of Hong Kong), gave presentations
on the topics of “Relationship between Bird Flu and Wild
Birds”, “Marine Conservation in Hong Kong” and
“Terrestrial Conservation in Hong Kong” respectively. More
than 70 people participated in the event, of which the participants
were mainly secondary and university students. The feedback from the
participants was excellent that more than half of the participants
would like to join seminar of the similar kind in the future.
An eco-tour to Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province
An eco-tour to Zhaoqing was organized for members of the Rotary Clubs
of District 3450 Area 5 in April 2006. The tour aimed to introduce to
the Rotarians about the conservation work that has been carrying out in
Zhaoqing and the existing socio-economic development of Gaolan and
Jiangxi Village related to the conservation of the Pheasant-tailed
Jacana, a rare bird species that breeds in fields of Prickly-leaved
Lilies around the two villages. Local farmers guided the participants
to the lily fields to see the breeding Jacana and other birds. Hence,
the participants obtain a more in-depth understanding of the
relationship between the farming practice and conservation of Jacana
through the interpretation of the local villagers. On the other hand,
local villagers can hopefully be encouraged to continue farming the
Prickly-leaved Lilies so as to conserve the breeding Jacana. A part of
the tour fee was donated to the local community. A special tour was
also organized by the Institute to the core area of Dinghushan
Biosphere Reserve, which is normally closed to the public as a fire
prevention measure.
Co-operation with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE)
From 2005, the Institute became a course provider for Hong Kong
Institution of Engineers (HKIE). The collaboration is of great
significance since Hong Kong is a rapidly developing city with lots of
infrastructural taking place, engineers therefore play an active and
important role in these projects. By enhancing the awareness and
understanding of engineers towards conservation issues then hopefully,
conservation concepts can be brought into future development projects
to minimize their impacts on the environment.
A. Workshop on Stream Conservation
The first course provided to the HKIE was a ‘Workshop on Stream
Conservation’ in April 2006. The workshop consisted of a seminar
and a field trip. The objective of the seminar was to disseminate the
latest thinking on stream conservation issues and to provide a forum
for the engineers and other stakeholders. The objective of the field
trip was to allow participants to gain first-hand experience on key
aspects of natural stream ecology; and to demonstrate how environmental
considerations are put into practice using stream channelisation as an
example. Three speakers, Dr. Alan Leung (Conservation Officer, WWF Hong
Kong), Mr. K. T. Wong (Chief Engineer, Drainage Services Department),
and Mr. Vincent Lai (Aquatic Ecologist, Ecosystems Ltd.), were invited
to give presentations on the topic of “Global and Local
Perspectives of Environmental Issues”, “New Guideline on
River Channel Design” and “Ecological Impact Assessment on
Natural Streams” respectively. Two of the speakers, Dr. Alan
Leung and Mr. K .T. Wong also kindly led the field trip as well.
Participants provided very favourable feedback, giving high ranks on
almost all parts of the evaluation form, agreeing that the seminar has
aroused their interest in topics related to stream conservation and
enhanced their understanding on conservation issues.
B. Review of the construction of the railway viaduct in Long Valley
The second collaboration with HKIE was to conduct a seminar entitled
“Review of the construction of the railway viaduct in Long
Valley” in August 2006. Speakers from five respective sectors
including the project proponent (KCRC) and their ecological consultant,
the Environmental Protection Department, green groups and local
residents were invited to give presentations on their perspective of
the issue. The speakers were:
- Mr. James Blake (CEO, Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation)
- Mr. Elvis Au (Vice Director, Environmental Protection Department)
- Mr. Mike Kilburn (Vice Chairmen, Hong Kong Bird Watching Society)
- Dr. Billy Hau (Villager in Long Valley and Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong)
- Dr. Michael Leven (Director, Asia Ecological Consultants Ltd.)
The seminar was very successful, with the participants giving very positive feedback. They said that the seminar had given them a better understanding of the discussion issue and stimulated their interest in other conservation issues.
Field trip to Lok Ma Chau KCRC Mitigation Area
A field trip to the Lok Ma Chau KCRC Ecological Mitigation Site was held on 13th January 2007. This activity was a follow-on activity of a seminar on the “Review of the construction of the railway viaduct in Long Valley” which held in August 2006 and had a discussion on the subject of infrastructure development versus environmental conservation from different perspectives. This visit allowed the participants to have a more in depth understanding about the construction of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line’s Railway Terminal around the fishpond area and its mitigation area. The field trip was guided by Mr. Clarence Tze, the Senior Environmental Specialist from KCRC, who gave participants a first hand experience on the management work carried out at the mitigation area and he highlighted some of its interesting features. The visit included having a bird’s eye view of the mitigation area from the Lok Ma Chau Lookout; a brief presentation on the construction work of the Spur Line and the management work of the mitigation area; and a field visit to the construction and mitigation area.
Sponsorship on 1st Wetland Link International - Asia Symposium
The first Wetland Link International - Asia (WLI-Asia) Symposium was held from 24th to 26th January 2007 at Hong Kong Wetland Park. Different wetland centres from across Asia were invited to join the symposium which provided a platform for in-depth information exchange and experience sharing. The Rotary Centennial Institute for Wetland Conservation sponsored an amount of HK$10,000 for the symposium in helping those delegates who have financial difficulties to travel to Hong Kong.
Through sponsorship of the symposium, the RCIWC helped with improving communication between wetland centres across Asia, and thus benefits the progress in wetland conservation in the region. It also helped in promoting the mission of the Institute in enhancing public awareness in environmental issue, especially wetland conservation.
Seminar on “The Effect of Reduction in Coverage of the Frontier Closed Area”
In celebrating the anniversary of the founding of the Rotary Centennial Institute for Wetland Conservation, an annual seminar on “The Effect of Reduction in Coverage of the Frontier Closed Area” was held on 24th February 2007 at the City University of Hong Kong. This seminar was co-organized with the Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, who helped in arranging of the venue. Speakers from the Government, NGOs, local community and architects were invited to present their views on the opening up of FCA. After the presentations, a more in-depth panel discussion was held between the speakers and the audience on the FCA issue.
Five speakers from different parties were invited to give presentation in the seminar:
- Mr. Raymond Wong (Assistant Director, Planning/Territorial, Planning Department)
- Ms. Betty Ho (Chairman, Conservancy Association)
- Mr. Captain Wong (Conservation Officer, Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden)
- Dr. Ip Wai Cheung (Member of Heung Yee Kuk and indigenous villager of Lin Ma Hang Village)
- Mr. Wong Kam Sing (Chairman, Board of Local Affairs, Hong Kong Institute of Architects)
The Field Trip to Closed Area was held on 2nd June 2007. The trip was guided by two villagers from Lin Ma Hang (Dr. Ip Wai Cheung and Mr. Ip Chau Ping) who introduced the cultural heritage and life style of the villagers living in the Closed Area. The trip was also assisted by Mr. Captain Wong from KFBG who introduced the ecological information in the Closed Area. Due to some unsolved disputes that occurred in the Closed Area some days before our visit, the police limited the area of our visit to Lin Ma Hang Village only and thus the groups were not able to visit Heung Yuen Wai and Pak Fu Shan. However, we were able to spend more time in exploring Lin Ma Hang: from the buildings and structures to the countryside and hillside. Participants were able to discover the contrast between Shenzhen and the village up on the hillside.
Download: Handout
Workshop on "Restoration, creation and enhancement of wetlands in Hong Kong"
Thw workshop on "Restoration, creation and enhancement of wetlands in Hong Kong" was held on 14th July 2007 at Hong Kong Scout Centre and was the third collaboration with Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. This workshop provided a platform to allow representatives from different environmental parties to present their work on the restoration, creation and enhancement of wetlands in Hong Kong so as to enhance the knowledge, concern and understanding of the engineers and other professionals on the wetland restoration works in Hong Kong.Seven speakers from different parties were invited to give presentations at the workshop:
- Mr. Mike Kilburn (Vice Chairman, Hong Kong Birdwatching Society)
Topic: Wetland restoration & enhancement work at Long Valley (Download pdf file) - Dr. Michael Leven (Director, Asia Ecological Consultants)
Topic: Wetland enhancement work at Lok Ma Chau Mitigation Area (Download pdf file) - Dr. Jackie Yip (Hong Kong Wetland Park Reserve/ Manager, AFCD)
Topic: Wetland re-creation and management in the Hong Kong Wetland Park (Download pdf file) - Mr. Captain Wong (Conservation Officer, Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden)
Topic: Wetland enhancement work at Nam Chung Fishpond (Download pdf file) - Dr. Winnie Kwok (Wetland and Fauna Conservation Officer, AFCD)
Topic: Wetland restoration in Country Parks (Download pdf file) - Mr. Patrick Lai (Senior Conservation Officer, AFCD)
Topic: Stream restoration work at Tung Chung River (Download pdf file) - Mr. Bena Smith (Reserve Officer, WWF Hong Kong)
Topic: Wetland enhancement work at Mai Po Nature Reserve (Download pdf file)
Field Trip to Closed Area
The Field Trip to Closed Area was carried out on Sunday, 13th January 2008 from 9am to 1:30pm. The trip was guided by two villagers from Lin Ma Hang including Dr. Ip Wai Cheung who had helped us before on a previous field trip, and introduced the cultural heritage, natural environment and life style of the villagers living in the Closed Area. We were also able to spend time exploring Lin Ma Hang village, from the buildings and structures to the countryside and hillside.
Seminar on “Wetland Conservation in Guangdong Province”
For celebrate its anniversary, the Institute will be organizing a seminar on “Wetland Conservation in Guangdong Province” jointly with Guangdong Provincial Wildlife Conservation Office and Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong. The aim is to raise public awareness of wetland in Guangdong and provide a platform for discussion on their conservation and possible future cooperation with Hong Kong. There will be five speakers from the Guangdong Provincial Forestry Department who will give presentations on the status of wetlands in Guangdong Province, and the conservation work at the major wetland sites.
Five speakers from different parties were invited to give presentation in the seminar:- Mr. Ye Guangfeng (Deputy Director), Guangdong Provincial Wildlife Conservation Office
- Mr. Zhong Jinfang (Director), Inner Lingding-Futian National Nature Reserve
- Mr. Lu Rong (Deputy Director), Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve
- Mr. Zhong Zhiqiang (Vice Section Chief), Haifeng Gongping and Dahu Provincial Nature Reserve
Remark: prior approval should be sought first should any of the photos and materials in the presentation are to be used elsewhere.
- 2005 Mai Po Booklet
- 20050223 Renovation of Peter Scott Field Studies Centre
- 20060225 State of HK Environment Seminar
- 20060408 Stream Conservation Workshop
- 20060414-16 Eco-tour to Zhaoqing
- 20060826 Long Valley Seminar
- 20070113 Field trip to Lok Ma Chau KCRC Mitigation Area
- 20070124-26 Sponsorship on 1st Wetland Link International - Asia Symposium
- 20070224 Seminar on “The Effect of Reduction in Coverage of the Frontier Closed Area”
- 20070602 Field Trip to Closed Area
- 20070714 Workshop on "Restoration, creation and enhancement of wetlands in Hong Kong"
- 20080113 Field Trip to Closed Area
- 20080223 Seminar on "Wetland Conservation in Guangdong Province"
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rciwc@wwf.org.hk