To actualize the University of Macau’s whole-person education philosophy, integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into experiential learning, and deepen students’ comprehension of ecological conservation, Cheong Kun Lun College organized a two-day Ecological Conservation Study Tour to Hong Kong from November 22 to 23, 2025. The tour, which included 21 students from the college, offered an immersive “walking environmental education class” through in-depth visits to several of Hong Kong’s nature reserves. This experience allowed students to profoundly understand that ecological protection is not merely a scientific subject but an ethical practice intrinsically linked to the future of the planet and human responsibility.

 

On the first day, the group visited the Hong Kong Wetland Park. Through professionally guided tours, the students gained a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem functions of this internationally important wetland and its crucial role in the migratory routes of birds. They explored the indispensable functions of wetlands, often referred to as the “kidneys of the Earth,” in purifying water, regulating the climate, and sustaining biodiversity.

 

On the second day, the team journeyed to the Pak Tam Chung Nature Trail. Students systematically observed the mangrove forest and the local ecology, learning how these plants sequester carbon through their root systems and provide natural resilience against wind and waves, serving as a natural solution to climate change. Subsequently, the group visited the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, Hong Kong’s first marine park, which boasts a rich diversity of coral communities and marine life. The guide confronted the students with the global crisis of coral bleaching, emphasizing that protecting the ocean is not just about preserving beauty but about safeguarding a global life-support system. The students hiked along the coast, personally experiencing the mysteries of the marine ecosystem and the importance of coral conservation. In the afternoon, the team arrived at the Kiu Tsui Chau Geopark to examine the unique geological heritage listed in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network. By observing ancient volcanic rocks and marine abrasion landforms, the students witnessed over 140 million years of Earth’s geological history. Faced with relics forged by millions of years of volcanic activity and sea erosion, the students reflected on humanity’s place on a “geological timescale,” realizing that protecting natural heritage is equivalent to preserving an irreplaceable archive of the Earth for future generations.

 

This study tour extended far beyond the acquisition of knowledge and the exploration of the natural world. It signified an extension of the college’s educational model from the classroom to the wilderness, representing a profound application of the “communal meal, communal learning, communal growth” philosophy in the environmental domain. Cheong Kun Lun College believes that true environmental education lies in cultivating the qualities of a “global citizen”—cognitively understanding ecological interconnectedness, emotionally establishing a bond with nature, and ultimately, behaviorally shouldering the responsibility for sustainable development. Through this firsthand experience, the students deepened their awareness of biodiversity conservation and contemplated their personal roles in fostering a sustainable future. They transformed abstract SDG targets into tangible life insights, which is precisely the future-oriented key competency that the college’s education aims to shape.

 

 

Visit to Hong Kong Wetland Park

 

Experiencing nature at the Pak Tam Chung Nature Education Trail

 

Learning about coral conservation

 

 

Visit to Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park

 

Visit to Sharp Island (Kiu Tsui Chau) Geopark