Ocean Park, in collaboration with the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), Sichuan Wolong National Nature Reserve Administration, and with support from Development Bureau, Education Bureau and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong (OPCFHK), launched the all-new wildlife conservation initiative, the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, at a kick-off ceremony held on 29 October. The Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme aims to encourage Hong Kong students to foster a love for nature through first-hand experiences, raise their sense of responsibility to protect wildlife and the natural environment, and encourage them to drive nature conservation in their community through actual volunteer work. The highlight of the two-year programme, which is targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2018, will be a five-day excursion – for 60 students, aged 12 to 16 – to the Wolong National Nature Reserve, and other locations, to experience first-hand wildlife conservation in Sichuan.
The ceremony held yesterday was officiated by Mr Zhang Hemin, Director of Sichuan Wolong National Nature Reserve Administration; Mr David Tong, BBS, Deputy Team Leader (Sichuan Reconstruction) of the Development Bureau; Ms Winnie Ying, Executive Manager, Charities (Grant Making – Youth, Education & Training, Poverty) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr Matthias Li, Chief Executive of Ocean Park and various senior executives of the Park; and witnessed by 330 students. During the kick-off event, Director Zhang gave an introduction on the on-going giant panda and wildlife conservation work at Wolong National Nature Reserve. The lecture was attended by 330 primary and secondary students. Following the lecture, students observed an interactive digital demonstration, performed by Director Zhang, at Ocean Park’s Giant Panda Adventure, to learn about the biology of giant pandas and treatment on injured ones.
Ms Isabel Li, Education Director of Ocean Park, said, “Ocean Park is always in search of new, innovative ways to further its education mission. In order to inspire the city’s youth to get involved in wildlife conservation, Ocean Park has partnered with various parties to offer the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme, a custom-designed initiative for secondary school students. Participants will have an opportunity to experience first-hand the habitats and living environments of giant pandas. Upon returning to Hong Kong, these students will partner with various organisations to share their experiences with local communities. We are delighted and grateful for The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s support and sponsorship to launch this meaningful programme. Recruitment will begin soon, and we sincerely invite Hong Kong secondary school students to join the programme and learn more about nature and wildlife conservation.”
Ms Winnie Ying, Executive Manager, Charities (Grant Making – Youth, Education & Training, Poverty) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “We are thrilled to be able to support the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme, a project that we find particularly meaningful. Through this programme, we hope to promote wildlife conservation awareness among local students and encourage them to participate actively in conservation work.”
“The future of Planet Earth is in the hands of our next generation. We hope that the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme will enlighten young people and empower the next generation to become conservation advocates, which is very important for the protection and sustainability of the planet in the long run,” Ms Isabel Li concluded.
The ceremony held yesterday was officiated by Mr Zhang Hemin, Director of Sichuan Wolong National Nature Reserve Administration; Mr David Tong, BBS, Deputy Team Leader (Sichuan Reconstruction) of the Development Bureau; Ms Winnie Ying, Executive Manager, Charities (Grant Making – Youth, Education & Training, Poverty) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr Matthias Li, Chief Executive of Ocean Park and various senior executives of the Park; and witnessed by 330 students. During the kick-off event, Director Zhang gave an introduction on the on-going giant panda and wildlife conservation work at Wolong National Nature Reserve. The lecture was attended by 330 primary and secondary students. Following the lecture, students observed an interactive digital demonstration, performed by Director Zhang, at Ocean Park’s Giant Panda Adventure, to learn about the biology of giant pandas and treatment on injured ones.
Ms Isabel Li, Education Director of Ocean Park, said, “Ocean Park is always in search of new, innovative ways to further its education mission. In order to inspire the city’s youth to get involved in wildlife conservation, Ocean Park has partnered with various parties to offer the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme, a custom-designed initiative for secondary school students. Participants will have an opportunity to experience first-hand the habitats and living environments of giant pandas. Upon returning to Hong Kong, these students will partner with various organisations to share their experiences with local communities. We are delighted and grateful for The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s support and sponsorship to launch this meaningful programme. Recruitment will begin soon, and we sincerely invite Hong Kong secondary school students to join the programme and learn more about nature and wildlife conservation.”
Ms Winnie Ying, Executive Manager, Charities (Grant Making – Youth, Education & Training, Poverty) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “We are thrilled to be able to support the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme, a project that we find particularly meaningful. Through this programme, we hope to promote wildlife conservation awareness among local students and encourage them to participate actively in conservation work.”
“The future of Planet Earth is in the hands of our next generation. We hope that the Jockey Club Giant Panda Junior Volunteer Programme will enlighten young people and empower the next generation to become conservation advocates, which is very important for the protection and sustainability of the planet in the long run,” Ms Isabel Li concluded.
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