Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre

Nestled on the fringes of Lung Fu Shan Country Park, the Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre beckons. This isn’t just any building. It’s a living testament to Hong Kong’s dedication to environmental education. The Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre holds a unique position. It’s Hong Kong’s only environmental education centre jointly funded and run by the government and a university. Specifically, the Environmental Protection Department and the University of Hong Kong partnered to create this haven in 2008. Originally, these buildings served a different purpose. Built in the 1890s, they housed watchmen and staff for Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, the city’s first reservoir. The revitalization project in 2008 transformed the Grade 1 listed West Point Filters Bungalow and Grade 2 Two West Point Filter’s Workmen’s Quarters into the Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre we see today. The centre has embraced its location near the popular Morning Trail. It offers guided eco-tours, showcasing the rich biodiversity of the area. Over 130 bird species and 110 butterfly species have been recorded here. The centre also promotes “forest bathing,” or shirin yoku, encouraging visitors to connect with nature. Sadly, the physical centre closed its doors to the public in March 2023. This closure marked the completion of the initial project. However, the legacy of the Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre continues. The University of Hong Kong maintains the website and social media platforms. They share ongoing environmental education information. Edward Yau, the environment chief at the time of the centre’s opening in 2008, described it as a “door to the greener part of our city.” His words resonate with the centre’s mission to integrate nature conservation into environmental policy. While the physical space is closed, the spirit of the Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre lives on. It reminds us of the importance of connecting with nature and embracing a sustainable lifestyle.