KFBG Newsletter October 2012 Holistic Economics How to Maximize your True Wealth KFBG is honoured that Dr. Satish Kumar, the renowned educator, author and co-founder of Schumacher College in Devon, United Kingdom, will be coming back to Hong Kong in December 2012 to give a series of public talks and to lead workshops on the relationship between ecology and economics. Last year, Satish was in Hong Kong and gave a series of public talks on the theme of ‘Soil, Soul and Society’. Satish was raised as a Jain monk from the age of nine, and became a campaigner for land reform at eighteen. Concerned about nuclear proliferation, he later undertook an 8,000-mile peace pilgrimage, on foot, carrying no money. In 1973, he settled in England and eventually co-founded Schumacher College in 1991, an international education centre for the study of ecological and spiritual values. On 3rd December, 2012 Satish will be sharing his views about “Holistic Economics - How to Maximize your True Wealth” at the Hong Kong Science Museum. The talk will be conducted in English. Admission is free but registration for your attendance at the talk is necessary. To book a place for the talks and for more details, please contact us by email at [email protected] or visit www.kfbg.org (News and Views). Permaculture Festival This Permaculture Festival will take place from 17th - 18th November, 2012 at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. The Festival is a place to learn and experience sustainable living and agriculture - in the inclusive spirit of permaculture, it is open to everyone who aspires to live a life in harmony with our environment. Festival activities will include: Fair Trade Platform of local organic produce, handicraft and products Vertical Greening Challenge Handicraft workshops Traditional tool making Art performance Book Sharing Meeting Permaculture Pioneers Permaculture workshops on agroforestry, home gardening and much more Singing, dancing, games and many other activities to experience the joy of nature To help reduce waste, don’t forget to bring your own shopping bag, eating utensils and water bottle to the Festival. Do remember to bring a few containers that can be used as planting pots to join the Vertical Greening Challenge! For details, please visit our website: www.kfbg.org 1 The 18 th Kadoorie Brothers’ Memorial Race The 18th Kadoorie Brothers’ Memorial Race will be held on 16th December, 2012 (Sunday) at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), Lam Kam Road, Hong Kong. This tough but rewarding race is held in memory of Kadoorie brothers, Sir Horace and Lord Lawrence Kadoorie, who founded KFBG. The length of the course is 5.3 km and rises steeply along roads through various sections of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, and finishes at the Kadoorie Brothers’ Memorial Pavilion (602 m). The best time, so far, for this race course was the record set for the men’s section in 2005 (28 minutes 16 seconds by Mr Lai Ka); and the women’s section in 2007 (33 minutes by Ms Ho So Han). For more information, please visit our website: www.kfbg.org LOHAS Film Festival 2012 Since July, the LOHAS Film Festival 2012 has screened movies and short films about sustainable living and Peak Oil in different locations in Hong Kong including Tsim Sha Tsui, Happy Valley, Kwai Fong and Tai Po. Admission is free and there is a sharing and discussion session after each film show. More screenings are scheduled. As the number of seats are limited, those interested in watching these films are advised to make early reservations for a place. Please visit this site for more information: http://www.lowcarbonliving.hk For seat reservations and enquiries, please contact Ms Leung at (852) 2483 7189 or [email protected] 2 Little Fish Workshop & The Dragon Workshop The Little Fish Workshop and The Dragon Workshop are workshops of silence in the natural and tranquil environment of KFBG. They provide an opportunity for participants to experience the joy of silence. The Dragon Workshop is an extended version of the Little Fish Workshop. It provides more time for participants to experience their connection to nature through inner silence and a shift in awareness. Both workshops include sitting in silence, mindful walking, story-telling, stretching exercises, showing gratitude to Nature and sharing. Our facilitators guide participants through a peaceful and uplifting experience in the serene surroundings of our beautiful forest and gardens. Little Fish Workshop: 8th December, 2012 & 19th January, 23rd February, 9th March, 13th April, 2013 (a half-day workshop from 1:30 pm to 6 pm) The Dragon Workshop: 20th October, 2012 & 12th January, 2013 (a one-day workshop from 9:30 am to 6 pm) For more details and application, please go to www.kfbg.org (News &Views) or contact Ms. Joe Chu at (852) 2483 7284 or by email at [email protected] Wildlife recently spotted at KFBG Japanese Pipistrelle This summer, a population of over 40 Japanese Pipistrelles were discovered in artificial boxes near Kwun Yum Garden. Interestingly, the bats were discovered roosting and breeding using nesting boxes which were originally intended for birds. This demonstrates their great adaptability. East Asian Porcupine On the evening of 11th August, 2012, our security team spotted a pair of East Asian Porcupines near the Rescue Centre. Their bodies are covered with sharp quills for protection. If threatened, they erect the quills, making themselves look bigger, and also shake or rattle the quills to scare their enemies. Masked Palm Civet On 12th August, 2012, our security team spotted a group of four Masked Palm Civets in the Middle Farm. Surprisingly, they were quite tame and not afraid of people. After checking our records, we believe that they may have been animals that were rescued and then released in January 2012. 3 Flowers in bloom at KFBG during the Autumn months Cleisostoma simondii is a native orchid of Hong Kong that flowers in October and November. It has unusual cylindrical leaves and sweetly scented flowers. It also occurs in South China, northern India, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. In KFBG, it can be found behind the Kwun Yum Garden, in the Orchid Greenhouse, Plaza and the Gloria Barretto Orchid Sanctuary. The Chinese Indigo is a native plant that flowers from September to December. The leaves were once used as a natural blue dye for clothes. In KFBG, it can be found along the road from the Signpost Corner to the Kadoorie Brothers’ Memorial Pavilion, and, in the Plants & Us Greenhouse. The Brown Rock-Orchid (Coelogyne fimbriata) is commonly seen clambering over rocks along streams and under the canopy of hillside forests throughout Hong Kong. It is widespread throughout large parts of northern India, continental Southeast Asia and South China. Its fragrant flowers begin to appear in September and last until late November or December. At KFBG, it can be seen in the Walter Kerr Memorial Gardens, and, in the Gloria Barretto Orchid Sanctuary. The Hong Kong Gordonia is a native evergreen shrub which flowers from October to the following January. It was first discovered in Hong Kong around 1845. In KFBG, it can be found on the slopes around the T.S. Woo Memorial Pavilion. From October to December if you are visiting KFBG, these are some wild creatures that you may see on our hillside Collared Scops Owl The Collared Scops Owl is a small owl, about 23 cm in height. It has brown upperparts with faint spotting and a pair of distinctive brown eyes. The owl is resident in Hong Kong. It can be seen in the forested upper hillside of KFBG. Indian Forest Skink The Indian Forest Skink is a medium-sized skink. It has a smooth and brown/olive body, with a black zig-zag lateral stripe extending from the eye to the hind legs. It can be spotted along forested paths and in the lower areas, more likely during the day but it is also active at night. Wild Boar Male Wild Boar are solitary outside the breeding season (between November and January) but females and the juveniles live in groups. The presence of wild boar can be detected by the mess created by their rooting behaviour. It uses the snout to dig up soil and search for worms and roots. Wild boar scats (droppings) are often found on the paths and roads at KFBG. For details of our monthly highlights, please check out the KFBG website: www.kfbg.org 4 Over 100 rare reptiles returned to their native homeland On 1st August, 2012, 39 Philippine Pond Turtles (Siebenrockiella leytensis), 46 Southeast Asian Box Turtles (Cuora amboinensis amboinensis), 19 Mindanao Water Monitors (Varanus cumingi) and one Reticulated Python (Broghammerus reticulatus) were returned to their native homeland, the Philippines after spending nearly 2 months at the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) Wild Animal Rescue Centre. The reptiles had been confiscated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on 14th June, 2012 after being illegally imported into Hong Kong. All the animals were discovered in a passenger’s luggage bag. Subsequently, this person was prosecuted and sentenced to imprisonment for six weeks. All species are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which controls all commercial and non-commercial trade of wildlife. The Philippine Pond Turtles and the Mindanao Water Monitors are endemic to the Philippines but have been heavily harvested for the illegal international pet trade. Southeast Asian Box Turtles have been over-exploited for pets, food and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Reticulated Pythons are struggling in the wild due to habitat destruction and over-collection for the pet and leather trade. Upon return to the Philippines, most of the animals will enter the Rescue Centre of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, before being considered for release back into the wild. Returning endemic species back to the wild will be an important boost to the dwindling wild populations. Southeast Asian Box Turtles. A Philippine Pond Turtle. Over-exploitation for pets, food and the medicinal trade is threatening many wild animal species. KFBG advises the public not to buy illegal pet species and to report any suspicious illegal pet trade activities. If you participate in TCM treatments, please choose from the sustainable alternatives instead of exotic or endangered species. You can help by reporting suspected illegal wildlife trade activities to AFCD at (852) 2150 6978 or KFBG at (852) 2483 7136. Reticulated Python. Philippine Pond Turtles are packed and ready to start their journey back to the Philippines. KFBG staff packing Mindanao Water Monitors into specially lined animal shipment boxes. Mindanao Water Monitors (endemic to the Philippines). 5 Raptor Release On 3rd August, 2012, one Black Kite and two Crested Goshawks were released back into the wild at KFBG. They had been transferred from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to the Wild Animal Rescue Centre (WARC) at KFBG for rehabilitation. A Crested Goshawk, about to be set free, ready to fly off to a new life. A young Black Kite prior to being released back to the freedom of the skies. The Black Kite was found as a stray bird by a member of the public near Pier 9, Central Pier. The older Crested Goshawk was rescued by the SPCA in a crowded street in Tsim Sha Tsui. It had no obvious injuries and was quite fit. The younger Crested Goshawk was a nestling when it arrived at the WARC. It could not even eat by itself. After 2 months of care by our staff, it eventually grew into a fine and healthy Goshawk, ready for release back to the wild. A Brown Fish Owl was also released on 23rd August, 2012 at Yam O, Lantau Island. The injured owl was reported by a local resident in Luk Keng Village, which is a remote village on Lantau Island. It was rescued by the AFCD and then passed to the Rescue Centre for veterinary care and treatment. Its wings were found to be severely injured upon arrival. Fortunately, after 3 months of intensive treatment and care, it recovered and became suitable for release back into the wild. We are happy to see these birds fully rehabilitated and being set free to return to their natural environment. If you see any injured wild birds, please report to the AFCD (Hotline: 2150 6978); SPCA (Hotline: 2711 1000) or WARC (Hotline: 2483 7136) A Brown Fish Owl is released back into its natural habitat at Yam O, Lantau Island. 6 KFBG Quiz In what year was this photo taken? If you know the answer, please send it by email to [email protected] The first three people who send us the correct answer, will each receive a packet of Farm eggs (or any gift equivalent) from our Farm Shop. Last issue’s question is where is the location of this water tank? The answer is behind the Kadoorie Brothers’ Memorial Pavilion. KFBG is on Facebook Join the KFBG Facebook page to stay tuned and up-to-date with our latest programmes, activities and workshops! On the KFBG page, you are welcome to leave your comments and suggestions about our events or post any beautiful, scenic and interesting pictures that you have taken on your visit to KFBG. We hope you the page and please visit from time to time for news about KFBG and to be in-tune with ideas for a sustainable way of life! Then and now – this is the current view around the location of the water tank. Be a Friend of KFBG and receive CONNECTIONS and updates on events and activities If your friends or family members are not on our mailing list and wish to receive this quarterly KFBG newsletter: CONNECTIONS, please send contact details by email to [email protected] (Please include name and email address). Please state in your email: “Request for KFBG newsletter: CONNECTIONS”. Any personal details collected will be used only for communication purposes. We welcome a diversity of ideas and thoughts from you! Share your work, be it a poem, artwork or a story. Please contact us by email at [email protected] 7