Following the recommendations of the urban greening task force led by the Chief Secretary for the Administration released in 2009, we implemented a Green Ambassador (GA) Scheme. Leading members of the community, including LegCo and District Council (DC) members, were invited to serve as GAs to help improve tree surveillance in the community. By March 2012, over 300 prominent citizens had joined the scheme.
The Hong Kong Flower Show was held successfully at Victoria Park from March 16 to 25, 2012. The show, which gave pride of place to the hyacinth this year, attracted over 560 000 people.
In addition to cash payment for admission, we accepted Octopus payments, reducing queuing time this year.
In addition to about 20 species and cultivars of hyacinth and other exotic flowers and plants from all over the world, the show featured magnificent floral art displays by horticultural groups from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. Participants included over 210 horticultural organisations, private firms and government departments from Hong Kong, Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Mainland, the Republic of Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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The Hong Kong Flower Show 2012, held at Victoria Park from March 16 to 25, showcased more than 350 000 flowers, including 30 000 hyacinths, this year’s theme flower. |
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In addition to such major attractions as landscape features, floral arrangements, potted plant and bonsai displays, the show offered a wide range of educational and recreational activities. These included horticultural talks, floral arrangement demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, musical performances, cultural presentations, fashion shows, exhibits, drawing and photo competitions, plant-care workshops, and guided tours to promote interest in horticulture and the greening of Hong Kong.
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Youngsters decorate a floral display during a learning activity at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2012. |
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A variety of recreational activities were organised for the enjoyment of all ages at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2012.
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In tandem with the department’s extensive planting programme to improve the cityscape, we launched a series of educational and community involvement programmes to promote a green culture in government departments and the community. More than 3 200 green activities, involving 1 346 000 people, were organised throughout the year.
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Green Volunteers from different age groups and professions sharpen their greening skills at a horticulture seminar organised by the LCSD. |
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Under the community greening programme, we organised over 170 green promotional and outreach activities, in which about 45 200 people participated.
Some 3 200 Green Volunteers from the 18 districts were recruited under the Green Volunteer Scheme to carry out simple horticultural maintenance in parks. These volunteers also serve as stewards in green promotional activities.
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Green Volunteers participating in planting activities with their passion for nature. |
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The Community Garden Programme, extended to all 18 districts by the end of 2005, encourages the public to participate in community-level greening activities and to adopt best green practices in daily life. The programme is also designed to raise public awareness of green and environmental protection issues through gardening activities. The 18 districts now boast 21 community gardens. In 2011-12, 50 gardening courses were organised for more than 10 600 participants.
The department continued to work with the DCs and local communities organising Community Planting Days throughout the year. In 21 planting days, involving over 4 600 participants, 51 trees and 26 500 shrubs were planted.
The Greening School Subsidy Programme, conducted during the year as part of a school greening programme, provided cash subsidies to 850 schools and kindergartens to make their campuses greener and for green educational activities for students, with the assistance of part-time instructors. Adjudication of the greening projects was arranged and a Greening School Project Award presented to the winning schools. About 360 000 students were given pots of seedlings to nurture at home or at school under the ‘One Person, One Flower’ Scheme, encouraging them to grow plants and to develop an interest in greening.
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Young students pay attention to a gardening demonstration at their school. |
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