#REDISCOVERHK
Yvonne Lui
Social media #RediscoverHK Campaign highlights beautiful trails and ecological resources
Conservation International, the Yvonne Lui Trust, world champion SUP athlete Chris Bertish, and Hong Kong’s professional endurance athlete Wong Chun Kiu combined forces to bring awareness to the natural beauty of coastal Hong Kong and its undervalued ecosystem, the mangroves. Check out the videos here:
The superheroes of trees, “mangroves are amongst the most carbon-rich ecosystems on the planet. They remove carbon from the atmosphere, storing it in plants and sediments below, absorbing over ten times more than tropical forests! They are one of the best natural climate solutions we have but, when mangroves are destroyed, this carbon is released contributing to climate change. These ecosystems are also some of the most biologically diverse on the planet and their strong root systems literally holds Hong Kong’s coastline in place”, said Ocean ambassador Chris Bertish.
Mangroves are a natural protection that Hong Kongers should safeguard but they are being destroyed by development, and degraded by pollution: the tragedy is that this is happening without many realising what’s being lost. #RediscoverHK encourages Hong Kongers to get out there and see these wonderful trees first hand.
Coach Wong and Yvonne took to the trails to highlight the beautiful countryside that surrounds them. Trail running or walking in the great outdoors has provided respite for a great number of Hong Kongers during the pandemic. “Covid has been a humbling experience for all, but it enabled me to search out and find more natural beauty in Hong Kong. Whilst HK is a concrete jungle, it is also surrounded by lush hills, 261 magnificent islands and dramatic rock formations. That is the attraction for me, and particularly the mountains: I love the way that mountains make you realise how tiny your problems are … I was glad to make the most of the beautiful countryside that surrounds me which I hadn’t explored much before”, said Yvonne.
Coach Wong shared that Hong Kong’s nature is an extension of Hong Kongers own home, “it is for Hong Kongers to explore and enjoy”. The ultra-runners shared their favourite coastal lines and trails for Hong Kongers to visit and marvel at what Nature provides: the MacLehose Trail - Stage 2 and Ham Tin Wan (Long Ke Wan) where the trail overlooks Sharp Peak were two such places. To see more beautiful views, check out their Instagram handles: