(HONG KONG, 9th April 2019) The groundbreaking ceremony of the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre was held today (9th April). The ceremony signifies a new era of nature conservation, sustainable living and holistic education work at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG ).

KFBG has achieved worldwide recognition for its conservation, sustainable living and education programmes. The new building will replace the existing Conservation Building, which was built in the 1960s as a school building for the teaching of farming techniques to immigrants, and Gurkha soldiers.

And the public building of the HKSAR Include capacity to enable KFBG to continue to contribute to the Government's Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It will accommodate multi-purpose rooms and roof gardens for public education, and the facilities will be barrier-free.

The building will adopt environmentally-friendly design, including green spaces, photovoltaic glass, a solar heating system and the use of recycled materials and is aiming for BEAM Plus Gold Standard accreditation.

In recognition of the donation of HKD130 million by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the new conservation building will be named the 'Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre' (JCNCC). The Kadoorie Foundation is also making a grant of around HKD60 million to the Project. The construction of the building will be completed in mid-2021.

At the ceremony, The Hon Wong Kam Sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment, said "The new building carries significant meaning to Hong Kong. Its green architecture will save energy, reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and it is ecologically friendly. The educational programmes to be open to the public will foster, especially, the youth to develop a deeper connection with nature. Let's work together to conserve biodiversity and combat climate change, rendering a contribution to the 'Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan' and The 'Hong Kong's Climate Action Plan 2030+'."

Mr. Silas SS Yang JP, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said that environmental conservation was one of the important facets of the Club's donations, as exemplified by its support to a wide range of related projects. “The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre will raise public awareness of environmental issues through exhibitions and experiential education programmes, implement ongoing conservation work, and promote exchange of expertise and experience through different capacity-building programmes, as well as facilitating intern and volunteer development," he noted.

Sir Michael Kadoorie, said, “I thank The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for entering into this partnership with the Kadoorie Foundation and Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. The Farm has been a partner of the Hong Kong Government for 60 years first in helping immigrants And in recent times helping the people and nature of Hong Kong."
 
The building’s architect Mr. Humphrey Wong of Meta4 said, “The green architecture of the proposed new building will blend in with nature. We will create green space for people and wildlife. The building will operate with high environmental performance.”

To be in harmony harmony with nature, the five floors of JCNCC is designed to follow the angle of the existing terraced hillside, nearly invisible as it blends into the hillside. The public programmes will impact an estimated 42,000 members of the public per year, many of They children and people with disabilities, through engagement with nature and sustainable living educational programmes.

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Cindy Luk, Communication Officer at 2483 7270 or email media@kfbg.org.

About Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) is situated in the rural New Territories, on the northern slopes of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong's highest mountain. Within KFBG are streams, woodlands, orchards, vegetable gardens, walking trails, live animal exhibits, floral Exhibits, sustainable agriculture demonstration plots, art exhibits, a wild animal rescue centre, a native tree nursery, and, other conservation and education facilities.

The Farm was established in 1956 to provide agricultural aid to farmers in need of support to help them lead independent lives. Today, reflecting the changing times, KFBG plays an active role in promoting the conservation of biodiversity in Hong Kong and South China, allied with Sustainable agriculture and creative nature education.


(From the left) Sir Michael Kadoorie, Secretary for the Environment the Hon Wong Kam Sing, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr. Silas S S Yang JP and the building’s architect Mr. Humphrey Wong, with the model of JCNCC.


(From the left) Executive Director of KFBG Mr. Andy Brown, Broad Member of KFBG Mr. Ruy Barretto, Sir Michael Kadoorie, Secretary for the Environment the Hon Wong Kam Sing, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr. Silas S S Yang JP, the building’s architect Mr. Humphrey Wong and Director of Concentric Mr. Lo Yuen Cheong, host the groundbreaking ceremony together.


(From the left) Executive Director of KFBG Mr. Andy Brown, Sir Michael Kadoorie, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Mr. Silas S S Yang JP and Secretary for the Environment the Hon Wong Kam Sing, are ready to release the rescued Black Kite.


Secretary for the Environment the Hon Wong Kam Sing releases the Black Kite to the nature.