Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve Ecological Study Tour Successfully Held

Last weekend (January 3), Surein Foundation organised an ecological study tour to the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, attracting more than 30 participants.

This event marked the Foundation’s first environmental education programme of 2026. The main speaker Professor Chau Kwai-cheong assisted by Dr. Wong Fook-yee, former Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; Mr. To Ka-yan; and Dr. Lai Kwok-chan, Adjunct Lecturers of The Education University of Hong Kong. They provided a substantial account of the rich biodiversity, water resources, geomorphology, and vegetation within the nature reserve, highlighting the importance of coexistence between people, ecology, and the environment.

Participants included undergraduate and postgraduate students from outside of Hong Kong. During sharing sessions, some students said the proximity of Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve to the urban areas was a blessing, as it enables them to appreciate the beauty of Hong Kong’s natural environment. They have become more aware of the importance of protecting landforms and hydrology, deal with climate change, and support sustainable development. Professor Chau Kwai-cheong highlighted the following points during the visit:

1. Biodiversity refers to three interconnected spectrums: genes, species and habitat. They protect the integrity of habitat (Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, a subtropical monsoonal forest) as well as the species and genes therein.

2. ⁠Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve provides invaluable ecosystem services to human beings, including (a) provisioning of resources such as food, water, timber and medicines, etc.; (b) regulating carbon sequestration, global warming, pollution, etc.; (c) supporting energy flow & nutrient cycling dynamics between the atmosphere, hydrosphere & pedosphere (soil & vegetation); and (d) serving as an important hub with immense education, tourism & spiritual values, etc.

3. Global forests are under constant threats—deforestation, climate change, land conversion, mining & urban sprawl, etc, affecting biodiversity in the long term.

4. Remedies—afforestation, reforestation (native species preferred), reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable land use, etc. may help.

5. ⁠We should treat nature capital as a core consideration in development plans.

Against these background participants understood that Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve is one of Hong Kong’s most important green treasures, featuring dense secondary forests, diverse wildlife, and serving as a vital water catchment.

To uphold the good practice of keeping the countryside clean, Surein Foundation provided a small number of eco-friendly garbage bags so that participants could pick up litter left by visitors along the way. Fortunately, the seven small bags of waste collected weighed less than four kilograms in total, reflecting the strong self-discipline and environmental awareness of visitors.

This activity marks the official launch of Surein Foundation’s environmental education initiatives for 2026. The Foundation will continue to promote environmental education through lectures, workshops, study trips, competitions, scholarships, and organic farming activities, working collaboratively to build a sustainable environment.