YEA 5th Edition, Day 3: Biodiversity, Nature-based Solutions and Oyster Reef Restoration

On 28 July, the Young Environment Ambassador (YEA) Programme returned to the Hong Kong Maritime Museum for a day exploring biodiversity, nature-based solutions, and the beginnings of their own sustainability projects, before heading out to the field for a hands-on oyster reef restoration workshop.

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The day began with a screening of our Amazon documentary, ‘People of Bridges: Exploring the Connection Between the Amazon and Hong Kong’, which transports students into the Peruvian Amazon rainforest to explore how nature, local communities, and conservation efforts intertwine. During the sharing session, Ms Charlie Yip, our Community Empowerment Assistant, reflected that the rainforest is far more than just an ecosystem; it is about responsibility, resilience, and how our choices shape the world.

Then following with a training session on biodiversity and nature-based solutions by Kitty Tam, Project Manager at Civic Exchange, and Damon Lee, our Research Assistant, introducing students to how healthy ecosystems — from wetlands to coastal habitats — can help tackle environmental challenges while supporting the species that depend on them. The sharing also provides examples from both Hong Kong and overseas while highlighted the importance and urgent of biodiversity conversation action in Hong Kong. One YEA participant would quote “I always thought about the change of ecosystems would only slightly effect on us, but I now know that the cost of development in the past era have cost us heavily and we need to adopt NbS to repair the habitat.”

Later that morning, students took part in a guided tour of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum led by Mr Gomen See, the museum's Marine Science Programme Co-ordinator. The tour offered meaningful insight into the history of Hong Kong's maritime traditions and the richness of its marine biodiversity, deepening students' appreciation for the city's ecological heritage.

The ambassadors were briefed on the requirements and planning details for their upcoming projects after the tour, which will see them design and deliver initiatives in their own schools and communities over the coming months. Students then broke into groups to begin brainstorming project ideas, discussing the environmental issues they cared about most and how they might turn their ideas into action.

In the afternoon, students headed to Pak Nai for an oyster reef restoration workshop hosted by The Nature Conservancy. Following an opening talk on the ecological significance of oyster reefs, students put on specialised protective footwear to guard against sharp shells, enabling them to safely make their way through the reef. While walking around the site, Ms Jennifer Cheng of the TNC team pointed out the range of marine species that rely on this habitat.

Students then took part directly in restoration work, using shovels to help rebuild the reef. Throughout the session, Ms Jennifer explained how oyster reefs support water quality through natural filtration, offer shelter to numerous aquatic species, and deliver a range of other ecosystem benefits. Despite the heavy rain that showers everyone at the end of the event, the students’ smiles reflect the satisfaction of contributing directly to environmental restoration.

We at Civic Exchange would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Hong Kong Maritime Museum and The Nature Conservancy for generously sharing their expertise and making this day an unforgettable experience for our Young Environment Ambassadors. We believe that the knowledge and hands-on insights gained will inspire and empower these young leaders to develop and implement meaningful environmental projects in the future.