The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (February 27) that the AFCD and Friends of the Country Parks will hold the Country Parks Hiking and Planting Day on three Sundays in March and April. Members of the public are welcome to take part in the activity.

     The Country Parks Hiking and Planting Day will be held at the following locations according to the schedule below:

March 10            Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail, Pat Sin Leng Country Park 
March 17            Wong Nai Tun Irrigation Reservoir, Tai Lam Country Park
April 14              Luk Chau Shan, Ma On Shan Country Park

     Members of the public should enrol at the registration point on site from 9am to 10.30am on the event day. Pre-registration is not required. The AFCD will provide seedlings and planting tools. Due to limited planting sites, all seedlings are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If all seedlings are given out, participants are welcome to join the hiking activity.

     An AFCD spokesman said, "The event aims to promote messages related to caring for nature and tree preservation via public engagement activities. AFCD staff and volunteers will share information on the seedlings, and promote hiking etiquette to enhance participants' awareness of nature conservation."

     The spokesman reminded members of the public to choose a suitable planting location and hiking route according to their physical strength and hiking experience. After tree planting, participants may continue hiking along the recommended route or take the same route back. The AFCD encourages members of the public to go hiking with their friends or family members, and help conserve the countryside by practising proper hiking etiquette, for example by bringing along reusable water bottles and towels, and "Take Your Litter Home".
       
     Seedlings for the tree planting activities were raised in the Tai Tong Nursery of the AFCD in Yuen Long. The department has been planting local species in country parks to enhance the biodiversity and ecological value of country parks in recent years. About 230 000 tree seedlings were planted in country parks last year by AFCD staff and various organisations.
      
     Details of the activities and latest information are available on the Nature in Touch website (www.natureintouch.gov.hk) or Hong Kong Country Parks Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hongkongcountryparks). For enquiries about the Country Parks Hiking and Planting Day, please call 1823 or email nature@afcd.gov.hk.

Ends/Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Issued at HKT 12:00

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