On the occasion of World Migratory Bird Day and the 25th International Day for Biological Diversity, the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone (hereinafter referred to as the Zone), in collaboration with the Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU), will co-organize the “Hengqin International Biodiversity Day 2025 Forum and Nature Education Forum” in Hengqin on May 10th, 2025, which is the first time that Hengqin has hosted a nature education forum. The forum not only set up an exchange platform for experts and scholars from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, but also provided a valuable opportunity for the public to learn about biodiversity conservation and innovative practices in nature education, as BNBU has been helping Hengqin's ecological conservation and wetland construction, and its “scientific rewilding” management model is beginning to show results.

Deputy Director Shi Zhongfeng of the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone stated in his speech that, through systematic ecological restoration and habitat creation projects, over 60 new species of wild birds have been recorded in the Cooperation Zone since its establishment, including more than 50 globally endangered black-faced spoonbills.

Experts and Scholars Deliver Fascinating Science Popularization

At the forum, several experts and scholars shared insightful knowledge on biodiversity and experiences in nature education.

Professor Liu Weiqiu from the School of Ecology at Sun Yat-sen University used the Erjingwan Wetland in Hengqin as an example to educate the public on the processes and methods of terrestrial, marine, and aerial biological monitoring. She also analyzed the connections between species in different regions and ecosystems, as well as the comprehensive evaluation process for assessing the health of wetland ecosystems.

Professor Jianwen Qiu from the Department of Biology at Hong Kong Baptist University, using data on Hong Kong's marine biodiversity, highlighted its richness while also revealing the severity of human-induced damage to Hong Kong's coastal areas. Additionally, he introduced new marine species discovered by his team during field sampling efforts.

Professor Yan Chen from the Department of Geography at the University of Hong Kong approached the topic from the perspective of urban soundscapes, using vivid real-life examples to illustrate the research value of bioacoustics. By observing nature, listening to nature, and sensing nature through multiple senses, she emphasized how this approach can reshape perceptions, awaken awareness, and deepen the connection between people and biodiversity.

Ms. Meng Xiangwei, former principal of the OCT Wetland Nature School in Shenzhen, provided an in-depth overview of the development journey of the OCT Wetland Park and Nature School. She shared her extensive experience in wetland nature education and emphasized one key point: nature is the best classroom.

Dr. SiuTai TSIM from the Department of Life Sciences of BNBU advocated for a "scientific rewilding" approach, allowing natural ecological succession to guide wetland restoration. Using the Hengqin National Wetland Park as an example, he highlighted the achievements of this management model: the natural wetland ecosystem has accelerated its self-repair, and bird and insect populations have experienced significant growth. The first phase of the project has already established diverse habitat scenarios, laying a solid foundation for public science education.

Ms. Li Fanghua and Ms. Mo Yaxi from the School of Liberal Studies of BNBU focused on three major issues, namely, “why”, ‘how’, and “what educators think”. They advocated the enhancement of students' literacy through environmental awareness courses and practical classes to promote the construction of sustainable campuses and communities.

Interactive Exchange Among Primary, Secondary, and University Students

At this symposium, faculty and student representatives from 11 universities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, including Sun Yat-sen University, the University of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Baptist University, gathered to share and exchange the fruitful outcomes of recent research on biodiversity in the Greater Bay Area.

Among them, 28 postgraduate and undergraduate students delivered oral presentations, covering a wide range of topics such as urban biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration, ecological protection and sustainable development technologies, wetland biodiversity and benthic ecology, urban and wetland pollution and invasive species, environmental stress factors and ecological economics, as well as nature education.

At the event, 27 biodiversity-themed posters carefully created by primary and secondary school students from Macau captured significant attention. These posters showcased the love for nature and the deep understanding of biodiversity from students of different ages and educational stages in the Hengqin-Macau region.

Roundtable: The Future of Nature Education

During the forum, several industry experts and representatives from government agencies held a closed-door roundtable discussion on the content of the nature education strategy report prepared for the Hengqin National Wetland Park. Participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on the report and offered suggestions and insights from their respective perspectives.

In addition to experts, scholars, and teachers and students, more than 15 relevant organizations from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area attended the forum. These included the Zhuhai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, Zhuhai Natural Resources Monitoring Center, Zhuhai Geography and Nature Education Society, Macao Ecological and Environmental Conservation Association, Macao Entomological Society, Zhuhai Environmental Protection and Ecology Association, Zhuhai Planning and Design Institute, Guangdong Qi'ao-Dangan Provincial Nature Reserve, Guangdong Neilingding-Futian National Nature Reserve, and the Butterfly Branch of the Entomological Society of China, among others.

Source | Polytechnic Institute of Science and Technology Press and Public Relations Office

Guanhai Rongmei Southern Metropolis Daily

Editor | Chen Xiaohong, Deng Yawen