Team

The Centre for Civil Society and Governance of the University of Hong Kong

Founded in December 2002, the Centre for Civil Society and Governance is Hong Kong’s first research centre dedicated to the study of the nature, components, dynamics, and roles of civil society, particularly its contributions to governance. Through community-based innovative initiatives, the Centre promotes dialogue and the implementation of related policies, with the mission of building a sustainable society.

“Forest Village” is organised and coordinated by the Centre for Civil Society and Governance (hereafter “the Centre”). The Centre oversees the planning and development of the project, coordinates the work among co-organisers, collaborators, and partners, and leads the conservation, construction, and management of the diverse habitats and village environment surrounding the site, with the aim of cultivating a sustainable “Forest Village.”

Co-organiser

Association for Sha Tau Kok Cultural and Ecology

Rooted in the northeastern New Territories, the Association actively curates eco-tourism, educational and training programmes, as well as rural revitalisation projects. It supports villages in building sustainable communities by providing diverse experiential activities, enhancing green tourism resources, and strengthening the carrying capacity of rural tourism.

The Association is mainly responsible for coordinating village communities and volunteer networks, managing the daily operation of the campsite, and organising a wide range of experiential and educational activities.

Local Community Partners

Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong Villagers

The villagers are the custodians of the land, inheritors of Hakka cultural wisdom and collective memory, and important partners of the “Forest Village” project. The project continuously invites them to participate in land conservation and management, fostering collaborative governance and a shared awareness of protecting the village’s natural ecological environment.

Partner

Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong

Founded in 2016, Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong (OWLHK) is a registered charitable organisation in Hong Kong dedicated to promoting ecological and outdoor environmental education. Guided by a shared vision, its team members believe their expertise, professionalism, and passion can contribute to and advance ecological conservation and environmental education in Hong Kong.

The Association is primarily responsible for biodiversity monitoring and citizen science programmes within the project.

Partner

Human Ip

An artist and writer, Miss Human Ip was awarded the Championship in the Open Category of the Youth Literary Awards for fiction. Through painting and writing, she integrates her exploration of natural ecosystems into her creative practice. Her publications include “In Search of Flora” (2014), “In Search of Flora 2” (2016), “In Search of Fauna” (2017), “Hermit in situ”(2019) and “In Search of Fauna 2" (2021).

Yip serves as the mural curator and cultural documentarian of the project, exploring its possibilities through an artistic lens while documenting the village’s cultural and natural assets. Within the project, she also explores the potential applications of native ethnobotanical plants, supports their conservation, and contributes to related public programmes and activities.

Partner

Leon Lau Man Chung

An arborist and founder of Hong Kong Tree Society, Leon Lau envisions a society where more people understand, appreciate, and protect trees and the environment. Hong Kong Tree Society introduces local plant species, recommended viewing locations, and related ecological knowledge, while also organizing tree-related courses and outdoor guided tours.

Lau is mainly responsible for the design, establishment, and enhancement of several butterfly gardens and tree trails within the project. Through regular monitoring and volunteer activities, he engages the public in learning about and participating in the conservation of plants and their associated insect species.

partner

Benjamin Hao

An artist who traverses mountains and rivers while cultivating the land. Benjamin Hao graduated from the Bachelor of Arts programme jointly offered by the Hong Kong Art School and RMIT University, and later pursued an interdisciplinary Master’s degree at the University of Hartford. Since returning to Hong Kong, he has worked across multiple media to reflect on the relationship between art, nature, and human society. His works have been exhibited in Hong Kong, Iceland, the United States, and elsewhere.

Benjamin Hao was formerly an artist-in-residence in the Lai Chi Wo Art Festival. He is currently conducting research and practice in Hakka natural dyeing in Mui Tsz Lam, while also leading artists to explore the creative possibilities of the Forest Village project.

Partner

Local Practice

Led by Kuo Jze Yi, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Local Practice is an architectural research team focused on vernacular architecture and bottom-up approaches to rural development. The team emphasizes hands-on construction, community co-building, local material reuse, and collaboration with local craftspeople. Its educational base is located in Zhoushan Village, Henan Province, China, while its community-building projects extend across rural China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, and beyond.

The team is responsible for the design and construction exploration of the “Mui Tsz Lam Circular Space” — an open communal space within the village for activities and public events.

Funder

Countryside Conservation Office

CCO was established in 2018, with a view to enhancing countryside revitalisation and ecological conservation in the remote countryside. CCO makes use of the funding of $1 billion earmarked by the Government for undertaking relevant conservation and revitalisation projects and minor improvement works.