Events and Programmes
Events and Programmes
Event Calendar Events and Programmes
Countryside Eco-festival 2026: Public Talk Series
Register Now

The countryside of Hong Kong forms a living tapestry of forests and wetlands, serving as a frontline where humans and wildlife meet and learn to coexist. 

This year, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden is celebrating its 70th anniversary; to honour the rich biodiversity of this land and continue the conservation journey we have steadfastly pursued over the years, we have invited a number of conservation experts to share with the public information about these vibrant ecosystems. Together, we explore how science and compassion combine in tangible actions to protect the habitats of our wild neighbours, helping write a more promising chapter for a future where people and nature thrive in harmony.

Visitors walking a woodland trail at KFBG during the Countryside Eco-festival
Plan your visit

Event Details

VenueKadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
LanguagePresented in either Cantonese or English as indicated below
TargetAny age
RegistrationNot necessary, but those who pre-register will receive a souvenir (available while stock lasts)
Pre-register and you will receive a souvenir. Registration is not required to join a talk, but those who pre-register will receive a souvenir, available while stock lasts.
Six talks

Programme

Portrait of Dr. Carmen OR
Dr. Carmen ORManager, Wetlands Research, WWF-Hong Kong
Tracking birds for wetland conservation
21 Nov 2026 (Sat)|14:00 – 14:30|Cantonese
Bird tracking is essential for understanding bird migration patterns and habitat use, providing scientific basis for wetland conservation. As wetlands face increasing threats from urbanisation, understanding bird behaviour becomes crucial for effective conservation. This talk introduces how birds are being tracked for conservation and showcases the bird tracking project at Mai Po Nature Reserve, which employs GPS technology to gather critical data on various bird species.
Portrait of Dr. Peter YANG
Dr. Peter YANGConservation Geneticist, KFBG
Conserving Hong Kong’s Incense Tree: Genetic Insights and Restoration Approaches
21 Nov 2026 (Sat)|14:30 – 15:00|Cantonese
The Incense Tree (Aquilaria sinensis), native to Hong Kong and other parts of southern China, is highly valued for its fragrant resin known as agarwood. It holds special cultural significance for Hong Kong, even giving the city its name. However, natural populations of the Incense Tree in Hong Kong have declined sharply, primarily due to poaching driven by the demand for agarwood. This talk introduces the conservation efforts carried out by KFBG, including the use of DNA fingerprinting to assess the species’ genetic diversity. It also highlights a new strategy that integrates research and restoration practices to safeguard Hong Kong’s Incense Trees.
Portrait of Prof. Benoit Guénard
Prof. Benoit GUÉNARDAssociate Professor, The University of Hong Kong
Education, Conservation and Specimen Preservation: The Emergence of a Natural History Museum in Hong Kong
21 Nov 2026 (Sat)|15:00 – 15:30|English

The Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum (HKBM) is one of the most recent and smallest museums in the region. Yet, with a collection of around 60,000 specimens, 70,000 visitors welcomed since 2021, and millions of people reached online, it is very active in promoting biodiversity education, natural wonders and research. This talk introduces the genesis, development and future of HKBM, while presenting the roles that a natural history museum could and should play in Hong Kong and Asia. Ultimately, HKBM should become a rally point for all keen on learning, exploring and discovering Hong Kong biodiversity.

Portrait of Paul Crow
Paul CROWSenior Conservation Officer, KFBG
Living with Snakes: 27 Years of Resolving Human-Snake Conflicts in Hong Kong
22 Nov 2026 (Sun)|14:00 – 14:30|English

In 1999, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden established the Wild Snake Rescue Project to address the community needs. It has been quietly safeguarding the delicate boundary between humans and snakes in Hong Kong ever since, by releasing native snakes back into local wild areas and helping people understand the vital role snakes play in our ecosystem. The talk takes the audience through this unique journey of community service, from collaboration models with the Hong Kong Police and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, to the science behind snake rescue, temporary care, and release; from interpreting the data on snake-human encounters, to sharing how we can move from fear to understanding, and from conflict to coexistence.

Portrait of Amy, Wing Lam Fok
Amy, Wing Lam FOKPhD Student, Lingnan University
Using wildlife forensic methods to help prosecute the poaching of wild turtles in Hong Kong
22 Nov 2026 (Sun)|14:30 – 15:00|Cantonese
Hong Kong is home to the last wild populations of several native turtle species, but it is also a global hub for the wildlife trade, including illegal trade. A key in determining the legality is to differentiate between wild and captive individuals. This talk shares wildlife forensic techniques such as DNA and stable isotopes that help verify the wild origin of confiscated turtles and support the prosecution of wildlife crime.
Portrait of Philip, Yik Fui Lo
Philip, Yik Fui LOSenior Conservation Officer, KFBG
Gibbon Conservation in Action
22 Nov 2026 (Sun)|15:00 – 15:30|Cantonese

The Hainan gibbon is the world’s most critically endangered primate. A survey in 2003 revealed that only 13 individuals were alive, teetering on the brink of extinction. In response to this crisis, KFBG joined forces with the Hainan Forestry Department and the local nature reserve to launch a series of urgent conservation actions, determined to pull the species back from the edge. The journey has been full of challenges, but through adaptive strategies and persistent effort, we are strivings to ensure that their songs continue to echo through the tropical rainforest of Hainan.

Ask us anything

Enquiries

Phone：2483 7179（Miss Ma）
Email：yayuan.ma@kfbg.org