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The Geopark Festival prize presentation ceremony was staged at Lions Nature Education Centre, Tsiu Hang, Sai Kung, today (February 19). At the ceremony awards were presented to winners of the Geopark Festival's competitions, while country park volunteers were also commended for their outstanding support and contribution towards geo-conservation, and for making the festival activities such a success.
The Geopark Festival included a series of activities and geo-tourism promotion programmes. Launched in October 2010, it was co-organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), Home Affairs Department, North District Council, Sai Kung District Council and Tai Po District Council, and supported by various local conservation organisations. Highlights of the festival included the "Magnificent Rocks and Magic Cameras" photo contest and "Magnificent Rocks and Magic Scenery" best geo-tour route poll. The activities were well-received, drawing nearly 90,000 participants.
The "Magnificent Rocks and Magic Cameras" photo contest, held from November to December, received over 1,100 entries, showcasing either the awe-inspiring rock features of the Geopark or the cultural and human activities in the geo-areas. Starting from today, members of the public can view the best entries and send them as Hong Kong National Geopark electronic greeting cards to family and friends through the Geopark Festival's website (www.geoparkfestival.hk) to promote geo-conservation.
In addition, the "Magnificent Rocks and Magic Scenery" best geo-tour route public poll received 7,900 votes. Among six land and two boat tour routes, the High Island Geo Trail in the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region was voted number one. Five voters have won special prizes in a lucky draw.
To encourage members of the public to participate and promote Hong Kong National Geopark and the country parks, the AFCD and Friends of the Country Parks have been co-organising the "Country Park Volunteer Programme" since last March and have received more than 1,000 applications to date. Among them, 202 people have completed basic training and served more than 6,700 hours in the country parks . The AFCD presented awards to the first batch of 56 outstanding volunteers today to commend their efforts and support for the Geopark and country parks. Offering a variety of services, the volunteers have helped to organise and promote a number of big events including the "Geopark Festival", ˇ°Hiking and Planting Day" and "Great Outdoors Hong Kong". The activities attracted over 200,000 participants in total.
Ends/Saturday, February 19, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:01
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