User:AGHKSAM/sandbox

Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong

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Background

The Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong (AGHK) is a Hong Kong based registered, non-profit organization, established in 2006 by a group of volunteers from different sectors who are keen to contribute to the natural environment. The name, Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong, echoes with its stated purposes of promoting the importance of geoconservation, popularizing earth science and facilitating sustainable geotourism and ecotourism and to make Hong Kong a better place to live.

The current chairperson of the Association Dr. Ng, Young C. Y. is an authoritative geoconservation, geotourism and geopark specialist. At present, the Association has over 1350 register members. It is run by an executive committee of 13 voluntary members and 2 advisors. Each executive committee member takes care of a special role in implementing the decisions and policies agreed in the regular executive committee meetings which are normally held 4 times a year. AGHK has closely associated with various national and international organizations such as Chinese Academy of Tourism Earthscience and Geopark Research, Geological Society of China and World Council for Nature.

Works

To arouse the public’s interests in the spectacular landforms and rocks with the ultimate aim of conserving Hong Kong geodiversities, the Association organizes large scale campaigns such as the Anti-graffiti Campaign in 2006, which was the first and foremost in the world the “Cherish the Natural Beauty of Rocks, the Eight Geo Wonders of Hong Kong and the Geopark Independent Enquiry Study Competition. Recurring geoconservation works include talks, seminars and workshops to schools, communities, private organizations, government departments and the general publics. The Rock Cleaning Angels are set up to educate the general public about the importance of conserving rocks naturalness. Educational and excursion tours are arranged for students and teachers to the geosites. Training and talks have also been given to the local communities such as the fishermen in Sai Kung and villagers in North East New Territories to reinforce the local awareness, pride, self-identity and sense of belonging.

In addition, the Association also comments on conservation policies, climate change and ecovandalism, strictly monitors development plans and works such as the offshore wind farms, illegal columbarium, highways and other infrastructure development, reclamation and other land supply projects which may have significant and long term impacts on natural landscape and geological heritage in Hong Kong. Representatives of the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong have been regularly attended most national and international geopark and geotourism conferences and seminars since 2006. It is the key promoter and facilitator of the setting up of the Hong Kong National Geopark of China in 2009 and the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China in 2011. Hong Kong is the only global geopark in China with such an important NGO involvement which includes proposing and driving the government to establish geopark, lobbying various stakeholders, conducting feasibility study, drawing up detailed proposal and plan, designing geosites and georoutes, giving advice on the planning and management, setting up Code on Geopark Appreciation, promoting geoconservation and geo-education activities and involving in the dialogue with UNESCO and national geopark experts. Currently, the Association also manages the Lai Chi Wo Geo-heritage Centre, the Kat O Geo-heritage Centres (both centres are sponsored by Fung Ying Seen Kun Charity Foundation) and the Prehistoric Story Room (sponsored by the Bank of China Charity Foundation) to provide the public an overview of the geological environment in Hong Kong, promote greater interest in earth sciences and raise the awareness of the need to preserve our geological heritage. The running of these centres also exhibits an excellent collaboration between NGO, local communities and the Government under the Global Geopark. In order to promote geotourism in the geopark, the Association initiated and set up the pioneer system of accreditation and standards for geo guides in the geoparks tours – the Recommended Geopark Guide System (R2G). The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Government Department who manages the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China only recognises those tours guided by the R2G to be the formal Geopark Tours. By the end of 2011, the R2G has further been upgraded jointly with the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong to an Accredited Geopark Guide System (A2G) to issue the first and only accredited nature guiding license in Hong Kong.

Contacts

Email: aghk@rocks.org.hk

Address: Room 1001-1003, 10th Floor, Manulife Provident Funds Place, 345 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Official web site

http://www.rocks.org.hk

External links

Hong Kong Geopark (http://www.geopark.gov.hk/en_index.html)

Prehistoric Story Room (http://www.geopark.gov.hk/phsr/)

World Council for Nature (http://wcfn.org/)