The fifth Nature Treasure Hunt, organised by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), with leading support from Hang Seng Bank, successfully concluded this weekend, 24-25 January 2026. Themed “Wildlife Guardians: Saving Native Species in Hong Kong”, the flagship fundraising event attracted more than 2,200 participants, including students, families and nature enthusiasts.
The event brought the community together for a weekend of discovery and purpose. In his welcome speech, Mr Wander Meijer, Executive Director, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, expressed his gratitude to Hang Seng Bank for its second year of partnership and support. He also shared his delight at the public’s growing concern for and interest in nature conservation, and encouraged participants to enjoy the beauty of nature while exploring the gardens, urging everyone to translate this awareness into tangible conservation actions in their daily lives. Mr. Meijer also spoke about the Wang Fuk Court Fire Tragedy which took place on 26 November 2025, after which KFBG decided to postpone the Nature Treasure Hunt. In total 16 teams of residents, who are currently finding shelter in the Kadoorie Center and the Green Hub in Tai Po, participated in the Sunday event, adding a layer of profound community spirit to the celebration of our local biodiversity.
School Day Promotes Eco-Literacy for Over 900 Students
The event kicked off on Saturday, 24 January, with a dedicated School Day that welcomed more than 900 primary and secondary students. As part of the experience, KFBG designed an Eco-Literacy Education Programme for outreach to all participating schools, promoting concepts such as Ecological Self, Sense of Place and Active Citizenship, and Pedagogy of Education for Sustainability. The programme was designed to help students understand and care for the Earth and inspire them to become responsible global citizens.
Cho Yiu Catholic Primary School participated in the programme for the second year. Principal Mr Chan Chi Hang stated, “Nature itself is the most dynamic classroom, allowing students to learn through direct experience and translate classroom knowledge into practical action. We are especially grateful to the KFBG expert team for coming to our school and assisting us in integrating ‘Eco-Literacy Education’ into our science curriculum design. They have transformed grand conservation concepts into tangible, perceptible experiences for our students. This not only enriches our teaching content but also allows awareness of environmental protection to take root and grow within the children.”
HKTA The Yuen Yuen Institute No.3 Secondary School took part for the second consecutive year. Mr Yeung Kam Wai expressed, “The core Taoist philosophy emphasises harmony between humanity and nature, which strongly aligns with the concept of ‘integration with nature’ in ‘Eco-Literacy Education’. The visits of wild animals like bats and bees to our campus serve as the most vivid teaching materials, helping students learn to coexist with all living beings. Our student body includes local, non-Chinese speaking, and newly arrived students. Although their language backgrounds differ, the conservation mission of our ‘global village’ has become a common language. From caring for animals to collaborative planting, students break down barriers through practice, truly embodying diversity and inclusion.”
Kit Sam Lam Bing Yim Secondary School joined the programme for the first time this year. Vice-Principal Mr Yu Kin Man shared, ” While classroom teaching may be limited to showing videos, the impact and inspiration that come from personally stepping into nature are irreplaceable. It helps cultivate in students a respect for, appreciation of, and care for the natural world. Through observing ecosystems and participating in research activities, students can acquire practical scientific knowledge and stimulate innovative, inquiry-based learning. In the age of AI, imparting knowledge is important, but shaping the right values and attitudes is even more crucial—this is the very foundation for driving sustainable development and nurturing a responsible new generation.”
Public Day Engages Families and Nature Lovers
On Sunday, 25 January, the public event saw hundreds of teams embark on a mission to become Wildlife Guardians. Participants navigated KFBG’s hillsides and completed challenges that deepened their understanding of Hong Kong’s unique biodiversity. Artiste Alex Lam and Hong Kong athlete Lisa Cheng also joined the event to help support local conservation efforts.
Artist Alex Lam supported the event and led participants in a yoga warm-up session. He expressed: “I’m so happy to be back at KFBG. KFBG always helps me reconnect with the serene power of nature. The breathtaking, expansive view from the hilltop is truly uplifting and fills me with energy. As a father, I also look forward to bringing my daughter here soon, so she can experience the beauty of nature and carry forward this appreciation and care for our ecosystem.”
Lisa Cheng, a mother of four, highlighted the importance of outdoor education: “I truly treasure every opportunity to take my children outside the classroom and let them embrace nature,’ she said. “Watching them explore the garden freely – touching leaves, listening to singing birds – I see them experiencing the pure joy that only nature can bring. To me, sports and environmental conservation share the same core principles: both require persistence and action. Every small step we take today is for the sake of passing on a beautiful green environment to the next generation.”
Immersive Experiences and Community Bazaar
Beyond the main hunt, the two-day event offered a series of guided tours and experiential activities. The activities included the highly popular Animal Encounter sessions and exclusive tours of the Wild Animal Rescue Centre, which allowed the public to gain a glimpse into KFBG’s rescue and rehabilitation work.
The Nature Treasure Hunt is KFBG’s annual fundraising event. The funds raised during the event will be used for KFBG’s core work in nature conservation, holistic education and sustainable living projects, advancing its vision for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. The success of this year’s edition highlights the community’s growing commitment to nature conservation. KFBG extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, sponsors and hundreds of volunteers who made the event possible.
