When we think of ecological restoration, we usually look to what we can find on the surface, such as trees, plants and wildlife. Yet, apart from what we can easily see, there lies a deeper story – a story beneath the soil: one carrying our Earth's history, ecological memory and hidden messages about the potential of our future.
By pulling back these surface layers, this talk reads the soil as a living archive, a record of ecological change, human history and deep evolutionary time. Bridging different "ways of knowing" – art, history, culture and science – we explore how historical memory and active conservation converge to restore both the land and our deep connection with nature.
Titled after a WMA-commissioned project for the theme of “hope” and supported by the WYNG Foundation, this online talk brings together three speakers: artist-filmmaker Tsz Wai Pun and molecular ecologist Coşkun Güçlü (who are currently presenting the exhibition “Bones of Our Land” at WMA), as well as the Head of Flora Conservation and manager of KFBG's forest restoration programme, Stephan Gale. Together, they explore the recovering hillside on the northern slopes of Tai Mo Shan within the KFBG site through three distinct lenses: historical archives, environmental DNA (eDNA) and ecological restoration.
For almost 30 years, KFBG has managed this hillside to rehabilitate native biodiversity and revitalise ecological function. In a time of environmental uncertainty, active restoration offers a hopeful path forward, showing us how we can bring our native forests back to life.
“Bones of Our Land” is currently on view at WMA Space. Please visit the exhibition in Central before the talk to enhance your experience.
‘Loving the Land’ Talk Series Main Page
Speakers
Tsz Wai Pun & Dr Coşkun Güçlü
Tsz Wai Pun is an artist and filmmaker based in Hong Kong. She holds an MFA from the School of Creative Media, Hong Kong and a bachelor's degree in Arts and Sciences from University College London. In her work, she explores the moving image, memory and the passing of time, drawing upon historical archives, theatrical practices and storytelling. Her short film, The Years Flow Like Water was awarded Best Work at the Floating Projects Video Zine D-Normal/V-Essay (Issue 3) and Cavity was shown as part of Film Culture Centre (Hong Kong)’s “Architekture In Motion” film festival. Her mixed media lecture performances were showcased at No Limits (2026), Tai Kwun Contemporary (2024) and Asia Art Archive (2024), including Missing Objects, previously performed at Unlock Dancing Plaza (2024), WURE AREA (2023) and Tomorrow Maybe, Eaton Hong Kong (2022). She has also devised and written a play, Must I Cry, performed at Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2024), Hong Kong Cultural Centre (2025), Avignon Festival (2025) and Pleasance Theatre London (2025). Tsz Wai is a part-time lecturer at Hong Kong Art School.
Coşkun Güçlü is a molecular ecologist. Coşkun studies how ecological changes in forests over time can inform conservation practices. He previously collaborated with Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden to study the soil of the restoration site through analysing the environmental DNA of fungi and bacteria. Güçlü now leads the Environment and Conservation Fund Project “Rewilding Hong Kong: Mapping the Hidden Biodiversity and Carbon Services of Forest Soils” as a postdoctoral researcher at The University of Hong Kong, where he is mapping the biodiversity of soil fungi and bacteria throughout Hong Kong’s forests and feng shui Woodlands. Coşkun is also a musician, and was nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Award as part of a fusion ensemble (2013), devised and performed live scores at Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2017), with notable performances at Sonic Encounter Festival in West Kowloon Freespace (2023) and Hong Kong Fringe Club (2026).
Dr Stephan W. Gale
Head of Flora Conservation Department, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
Led by a fascination for nature and a passion to see it thrive, Stephan leads a department of over 70 scientists, horticulturalists, arborists and technicians, collaborating with government, the private sector, academics and other professionals to conserve threatened plants, restore ecosystems and showcase the wonder of flora to diverse audiences. A botanist, forester and ecologist by training, Stephan is an internationally recognised scientist with more than 20 years’ experience studying ecosystem processes at molecular, landscape and biogeographic scales, as well as the human dimensions of conservation. His expertise spans ecological restoration, species ecology and reintroduction, conservation assessment and prioritisation, wildlife trade mitigation and public engagement. He has published over 120 peer-reviewed papers, curated award-winning botanical exhibitions, and his work has been featured in local and international media.
Facilitator
Elaine Lin
Elaine Lin is currently Director at WMA, a non-profit art platform dedicated to fostering a more socially aware and connected society in Hong Kong through lens-based arts.
Previously, Elaine held management and curatorial roles at Asia Art Archive and M+. Her academic background spans art history, law and digital humanities. She is the first Hong Kong Jockey Club Chicago Booth Executive MBA Program Scholar from the arts and cultural sector.
Date
15 September 2026 (Tuesday)
Time
19:00-20:30 HKT (11:00-12:30 GMT)
Format
Zoom
Language
English (supports simultaneous interpretation in Cantonese and Putonghua)
Fee
Free (a donation to support our conservation work is appreciated)
Donations help cover essential expenses such as speakers’ fees, translation services and other resources. Please donate within your means, or still join us even if you are unable to contribute.
Application
Please click HERE for online registration by 19:00 HKT, 15 September 2026
Note
● You will receive an auto-reply confirmation email upon registration with the Zoom link attached.
● In case of cancellation, you will be notified in advance.
Enquiry
Email Ms Jamie Ngai at jamie.ngai@kfbg.org