Management Agreement on the Private Land with High Conservation Value at Fung Yuen Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest in Tai Po, Hong Kong (2021-2024)(2024-2027)

Proponent: Environmental Association Limited

Site: Fung Yuen

Project Description

The project aims to enhance and conserve butterfly habitats in Fung Yuen, Tai Po. The key project activities include habitat management, planting larval host plants and nectar plants for butterflies, species monitoring, and conducting butterfly conservation educational activities for promoting knowledge and concepts of butterfly conservation to the general public.

Grant Approved

1st Phase: HK$12,988,378.5
2nd Phase: HK$14,976,613

Project Duration

1st Phase: 01/08/2021 - 31/07/2024
2nd Phase: 01/08/2024 - 31/01/2027

Management Measures

Regular site patrols and inspections
Maintainence of the butterfly refuge area, plant nursery, and butterfly nursery
Planting and maintainence of butterfly larval food and nectar plants
Removal of Mikania and other unwanted invasive species
Conducting regular ecological surveys and environmental monitoring
Organising habitat management and species conservation workshops
Maintainence of the visitors' centre and site management office
Organising outreach and educational activities

• Regular patrol and inspection

• Maintain and enhance butterfly conservation area

• Maintain and enhance the visitor reception center cum conservation management center

• Regularly conduct independent butterfly and bird survey programs

• Removal of unwanted invasive species

• Planting butterfly larval food and nectar plants

• Monthly environmental improvement work

• Conduct monthly ecological and environmental survey programme

• Maintenance of nursery facilities to cultivate plants and protect butterfly caterpillars

• Organise Habitat management and species conservation workshops and relevant volunteer activities

How To Get There

1 | Minibus |

• Take green minibus No. 20M from Tai Po Centre, or green minibus No. 20P from to Tai Po Market MTR Station to Fung Yuen Village

2 | Bus + Walking|

• Take KMB Route No. 73 or 74K from Tai Po Market Station to Fung Yuen Road Station, then walk for about 5 minutes to Fung Yuen

Project Outcome

Approximately 2.3 hectares of private land within Fung Yuen Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest have been proactively conserved through management agreements with landowners.
With the proactive conservation measures under the Management Agreement projects, Fung Yuen has been preserved as an important butterfly feeding, resting and breeding site in Hong Kong. To date, over 220 butterfly species have been recorded in Fung Yuen, amounting to more than 90% of the Hong Kong's butterfly species.

About 2.2 hectares of private agricultural land were received active ecological conservation through management agreement.

As a result of the project's various management measures, Fung Yuen became one of the important butterfly feeding, resting and breeding site, with the number of butterfly species recorded in Fung Yuen amounting to more than 90% of the Hong Kong's butterfly species.

As at July 2023, the project organised over 120 education tours and workshops, and recruited more than 2,300 volunteers. The FYBR attracted around 3,300 visitors during the period.

Project Story

All

People & Place

Plants & Ecology

Research

Conducive habitat for butterfly breeding

Recruiting volunteers

Bird survey

Project Photo

Fung Yuen Butterfly Festival

More Images

Project Video

Looking Back and Ahead at 20th Anniversary of Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve

Examples of Butterfly Species Found in Fung Yuen

Boosting conservation efforts via AI
The project organisation will incorporate smart technology to enhance its conservation efforts under the new project. It aims to develop an artificial intelligence programme that recognises 245 butterfly species in Hong Kong to enhance the effectiveness of conservation work and public education.