Eco-Rangers 2023 Wraps Up Successfully

The Conservancy Association's annual fundraising activity, Eco Rangers 2023, came to a successful conclusion on 10 December 2023. Over two hundred individuals participated and attended the event. Amidst the pandemic, Eco Rangers, which originally focused on orienteering competitions, transformed into a combination of online and offline activities aimed at protecting the environment. From 2021 to 2022, Eco-Rangers focused on assembling teams of hill and beach cleaners who took it upon themselves to venture into the countryside parks and coastlines, tirelessly clearing litter and restoring the natural beauty of these landscapes. Concurrently, we implemented recycling measures to ensure that recyclable materials left by humans in these areas were properly sorted and reintegrated into the resource recycling economy, making every effort to heal the visible scars inflicted upon the nature.

As society gradually returned to a sense of normalcy, we were delighted to bring back the much-anticipated orienteering activity, "Eco-Rangers 2023," organized by The Conservancy Association in collaboration with the Hong Kong Orienteering Association. This year's event, in response to the alarming increase in global wildfires, centered on the theme of "Fire Prevention", with the formidable Flame Thrower serving as the activity's “Big Boss”.

Ms. Diane Wong Shuk-han, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Dr. Yip Yin, Jackie, the Assistant Director (Country Parks) from Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Dr Chung Shan-shan, Chairperson of CA, are invited to the opening ceremony as guests of honour. Ms. Diane Wong emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant against wildfires and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to The Conservancy Association for hosting this meaningful event, which deepens public awareness of Hong Kong's countryside, fosters a closer connection with nature, and safeguards the lush greenery of our city.

Group photo of the Guest of Honor. From left to right: Mr. Heinz Mak, the representative of Gold sponsor ABN AMRO Clearing Hong Kong Limited; Mr. C. K. Lee, acting Chairperson of Hong Kong Orienteering Club; Dr. W. T. Yan, Convenor of CA’s Branding & Fundraising Committee; Ms. Diane Wong Shuk-han, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology; Dr Chung Shan-shan, Chairperson of CA; Dr. Yip Yin, Jackie, Assistant Director (Country Parks) from Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; Mr. Ken So, Chief Executive of CA; Ms. Irene Leung, the representative of Gold Sponsor HK Electric.

While the pandemic prevented us from organizing orienteering competitions, the increased interaction between individuals and nature revealed a pressing issue: the rampant accumulation of waste and habitat degradation in our countryside. In response, Eco-Rangers promptly introduced a distinctive hill cleaning initiative that sought to educate participants about waste management and reflection. By adopting recycling and categorization practices, we aimed to instill an understanding of what constitutes "litter" in the wilderness. The concept of ‘leave no trace’ gained widespread support across diverse sectors. During the opening ceremony, the golf club used for the gong-striking ceremony was retrieved from nearly thirty hill cleaning sessions, while the gong itself, is an old radish cake plate, symbolized awakening to a green lifestyle that emphasizes reusing, up-cycling efforts, and reducing waste, all in response to the challenges posed by climate change.

The starting gong, made from a combination of "litter" collected from hill cleaning activities and second-hand items.

To address the intensifying global wildfire crisis, this year's family category introduced specially designed tasks aligned with the event's theme. Wildfires pose the most significant threat to conservation work. The efforts of those who labored to plant saplings, the flourishing forests they grew into, and the diverse wildlife fostered within these forests can all be destroyed in an instant by wildfires. The family participants engaged in three simulated conservation missions focused on tree planting, tree caring, and ecological surveys. This allowed families, particularly children, to assume the role of conservationists and experience the day-to-day work involved in safeguarding our environment.