Calling all Hong Kong secondary students!

The biodiversity of our planet is in crisis, but the subject has taken a back seat in conversations about sustainability in many schools. Our biodiversity summit aims to change that. Following on the heels of COP16, the UN biodiversity summit which just concluded in Cali, Colombia, and anticipating the long awaited release of the HK government’s biodiversity strategy due in April 2025, this is a timely gathering. Join students and local experts to learn about the biodiversity of Hong Kong.

Our objectives for the event are to:

• Elevate the discussion about biodiversity in schools
• Learn about biodiversity at the global and local levels
• Explore practical ways to enhance the biodiversity of school campuses. Think re-wilding school gardens, planting native species, and eliminating pesticides…

Our esteemed keynote speakers include: 

Wander Meijer, Director of the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Gardens

Wander leads Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden as Executive Director, where he and his team of 250+ staff work on biodiversity, wildlife rehabilitation, organic farming, reforestation, sustainable living and holistic education with the mission to harmonize our (human) relationship with nature.

Furthermore, Wander is business advisor and impact investor in social enterprises in Africa and the Netherlands, related to poverty alleviation and agricultural transition.

Andy Cornish, Member of the Hong Kong Biodiversity Expert Group

Andy Cornish spent 16 years working at WWF, first as the Conservation Director for WWF-Hong Kong, and then as the leader for a global marine conservation program for WWF International. During this time, he co-authored Hong Kong’s first sustainable seafood guide, led shark-fin advocacy efforts and the “Save Our Seas” campaign, which led to a permanent ban on all trawling.

Dr. Cornish is currently the Founder and Chief Strategist of Cornerstone Strategies. He also helps coordinate coalitions including the Hong Kong Expert Biodiversity Group and Hong Kong Sustainable Seafood Coalition.

Expect exciting, hands-on workshops by: 

Heidi Spurrell, Founder of Future Green – ‘Biodiversity on Your Plate’

The ‘Biodiversity on Your Plate’ workshop explores the connection between biodiversity and food systems. Participants will learn how their food choices impact biodiversity, and identify ways to support it through their procurement, menu design, and sourcing decisions. The Biodiversity Menu Challenge will result in three top menus to pilot.

Anson Chung, WWF Hong Kong – ‘Biodiversity Explorers: Discover & Protect Hong Kong’s Wildlife’

This workshop is designed to deepen your understanding of Hong Kong’s rich biodiversity and ecosystems. In “Biodiversity Explorers,” participants can expect to:

– Enhance their knowledge and awareness of the unique wildlife that inhabits our city.
– Discover the importance of biodiversity and its vital role in our everyday lives.
– Identify key species and learn about the major threats facing wildlife in Hong Kong.
– Participate in interactive activities that bring conservation challenges to life.
– Gain practical insights and actions to help protect biodiversity and promote sustainability.

Matt Caplin, Chinese International School – ‘Mapping Biodiversity’ 

This workshop focuses on creating a biodiversity directory for your campus using the Seek and Naturalist apps. A simple yet powerful way to provide scientifically accurate data about your learning environment that also contributes to a global community. Individuals will be able to identify the different species that they see and create a database that others can access for learning and research purposes. Participants can download the iNaturalist app on their personal devices prior to the workshop and create a profile. We will explore the app and trial it in our community farm and garden on the day.

Don’t miss out – interested students can register here: https://forms.gle/BGK91vJTfjy8ii2a6