“Unexpected”, “rewarding”, “what a pleasure to meet a bunch of like-minded people”…. The 15 persons enrolled in the Green Minion Training Programme 2018 have come a long way during the three-month period packed with seminars and on-site trainings. From merely using hiking apps to plan for a walk, there has been some transformation. They have had engaged in in-depth discussion on environmental issues and related policy and completed hiking and practical training in the field. Wonder what were their motivation to join this the three-month learning journey at their spare time? Let’s look back at some of the moments.
Kami, Conservation Manager at the Conservancy Association shared her years of experience in afforestation work in Tai Lam Country Park (4 August, 2018).
From hiker to nature protector
Besides encouraging people to go hiking and spend time in nature, Trailwatch also promotes nature protection amongst hikers. Green Minion Training Programme is held annually for this reason. Entering its fourth year, we hope that participants not only gain knowledge and insights from different perspectives, but more importantly, develop a positive attitude to learning and try to nurture their relationships with other human beings and the nature. The programme is comprised of 4 seminars, 4 field trips, 3 practical workshops and a sharing session at the end. In response to feedbacks from the Green Minions in previous years, we have planned for more field trips this year so as to bring about a more profound firsthand experience for the participants.
The program content began with the importance of Hong Kong’s biodiversity, species and nature conservation, their current threats and how Green Minions can take up an active role to do something about it. In the second seminar, participants learnt about Country Parks Ordinance, its loopholes and history, loopholes associated with Outline Zoning Plans and Development Permission Area Plans, as well as the case study of Lo Shue Tin in Sai Kung. Additionally, we have arranged a session about barrier-free hiking, which aimed to equip participants with the capability to accommodate people with special needs when planning and leading a hike.
Participants removing ghost nets in Sam Mun Tsai, Tai Po (18 August, 2018)
On-site Investigation
At one of the field trips at Tai Lam Country Park, Green Minions learnt about the afforestation program and ecology conservation that the Conservancy Association has been working on for years. It is on the site that one would better understand why there is no so-called periphery in country parks, and that ecological value is not to be defined by a mere line on the map. Participants also laid their feet on the seashore. At the mud flat of Sam Mun Tsa in Tai Po, participants learnt about the issue of marine trash through a cleanup. Countless plastic bags entangled on mangroves were removed. For those who took part in a cleanup for the first time, this experience had left a profound impression on them, which made them reflect on how they generated and disposed of waste in their daily lives.
To understand the issue of brown fields and current agricultural situation, one must investigate the issue on site. At Tsui Keng, we have visited recycling center and wasteland; we walked along a river stream and saw how some agricultural land were farmed in conventional way; we discussed agricultural development, agricultural land use and the history of vegetable wholesale. Lastly, Green Minions had the opportunity to experience a farmer’s lives and helped removed weeds.
Hoi Lung from Liber Research Community explained the threats that agriculture land and country parks were facing and their relation to brown fields (8 September, 2018)
Farmers from Tsiu Keng shared with us current agricultural situation (8 September, 2018)
After Typhoon Mangkhut, we had a guided tour led by the Association for the Ecological and Cultural Conservation of Aquilaria sinensis to learn about Incense Trees in Sha Tau Kok. Sadly, one incense tree by the village entrance had just fallen due to the typhoon. The Green Minions learnt about the Feng Shui forest as they penetrated the old village; they cleaned up paths covered with leaves and had the chance to look at an axed Incense Tree up close, a species that highly needs to be protected.
Ho Pui Han, director of the Association for the Ecological and Cultural Conservation of Aquilaria sinensis, gave a guided tour on Incense Trees in the Feng Shui forest of an ancient village in Sha Tau Kok (22 September, 2018)
Green Minions taking the lead – applying what they have learnt
TrailWatch believes that “Doing is Knowing”. By appropriately applying to real situation what know in theory is the real way to learn. During the practical session, Green Minions were split into three groups, each was required to lead a hiking event that was entirely designed by themselves – taking into consideration everything from the theme, route, safety and precautions, to event rundown and its expected outcome/purpose. Due to safety concerns after Typhoon Mangkhut, all three groups have coincidentally chosen country trails that are related to conservation of military heritage.
Group 1 – “ Relaxing walk on heritage trail with night view”(29 September, 2018)
From Quarry Bay Tree Walk to Hung Heung Lo Fung, Green Minions gave a guided tour on stoves from the war time and the history of the trail. As we arrived at the top it was just the good moment to appreciate the sunset and night view.
Group 2 “Devil’s mining trip – military relics and old rock quarry (13 October, 2018)
We started at Yau Tong and aimed for the Devil’s Peak. There was a trail race on that day and Green Minions picked up trash along the trail. While at the peak, the group shared with us history about the canons and countryside relics in Hong Kong as well as relevant government policy and regulation. The group also brought along some books for our reference.
Group 3 “ Wong Nai Chung Gap military relics – in commemoration of those who fought in the defence of Hong Kong”(20 October, 2018)
The most memorable moment was when we arrived at the historical war ruins. This group first explained its historical background with supplementary photos from books, then showed us a short video footage about the history. We were then asked to close our eyes and imagine being at the past. Lastly, we held a moment of silence to commemorate those who have fought and scarified themselves during the defence of Hong Kong.
Taking lessons from the previous groups whose hiking themes were also on historical remains, much effort had been made by the later group to continuously add value to and fine tune the hiking experience they planned. Everyone was very enthusiastic and have rehearsed at the trail more than once. They were very proactive in gathering historical information, thought about the topic thoroughly and managed to facilitate in-depth discussion amongst participants. The Green Minions were very devoted and have accomplished a lot by the end of the programme.
What a pleasure to train and grow together (26 October, 2018)
The allure of hiking
For TrailWatch to receive feedbacks from participants and assess what they have gained, a special sharing session was organised at the end of the training programme. A Green Minion said that he enrolled in the course simply because he liked hiking, what he did not expect was the wide range of topics being covered – these were topics that did not grasp his attention nor interest him previously but now he desired to know more. The programme had made them feel more strongly about waste problem in daily live and taking actions to reduce at source. Other comments include: “ I will now bring a small plastic bag to collect trash while hiking”, “Scary! At the beach clenaup, I saw for the first time a plastic packaging with fish bite mark”, “it is very rewarding and beyond my expectation”, “I used to do trail run and seldom slow down to look at the landscape. I have now learnt to better appreciate the nature around me, I would even make a U-turn to pick up a plastic bottle which seems fascinating to my running buddies.”
Although Green Minions commented that each seminar was too short for in-depth discussion, the positive thing is that the programme has aroused their interest in the topic, and they had made a lot of reflections about their daily lives. It was beyond the expectation of TrailWatch that the participants were so devoted to the training and had become good friends after three months. We hope to see that they will apply their skills and knowledge to make positive impacts in different places, continue to take actions and carry out the mission to protect Hong Kong’s countryside.
Special Thanks to collaborative partners and instructors in “Green Minion Training Programme 2018”
(In chronological order of seminars)
Kami, Conservation Manager, The Conservancy Association
Sarah (Co-founder), Andrew and Terry (Volunteers), Wheel Power Challenge
Teddy, Founder of Oasistrek, an informative blog on hiking
Patrick, Project Manager, World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong
Andrew, Senior Conservation Office of Local Biodiversity, World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong
Lau Hoi Lung, member, Liber Research Community
Ho Pui Han, Director, Association for the Ecological and Cultural Conservation of Aquilaria sinensis