| Press
Release
Fanling
Environmental Resource Centre opens today
Hong Kong's
largest Environmental Resource Centre was opened in Fanling today
(August 13) to provide the public in New Territories North with
easy access to environmental information.
It will also
provide a venue for schools, community organisations and residents
to organise environmental education programmes.
The 400-square-metre
centre is the third Environmental Resource Centre in Hong Kong.
The Community
Relations Officer of the Environmental Protection Department, Ms
Mabel Mak, said environmentally friendly materials were widely used
in fittings, including the white acoustic ceilings, multi-coloured
carpet tiles, fabric panels and wallpaper.
She said the
furniture, including tables, chairs and sofa, was largely made from
recycled materials.
The centre has
an exhibition hall, a lecture room, a library and guided tours.
"The colourful
exhibition hall is equipped with display panels, interactive games
and models specially designed to disseminate a variety of green
messages," Ms Mak said.
"It comprises
eight display zones featuring air quality, waste reduction, water
resources protection, environmental planning and assessment, noise
issues, enforcement work, global environmental matters, and community
education."
Called the "Green
Wisdom Library", the library contains books, magazines, leaflets,
booklets and teaching kits on environmental protection.
"The library
is furnished with panels showing photographs contributed by Dr Rebecca
Lee. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of the Arctic, Antarctic
and Qomolangma through the photo display," Ms Mak noted.
Special features
of the centre include a mosaic mural, four metres wide and two metres
high, at the reception area. "Led by the project artist of the Hong
Kong Youth Arts Festival, Mr Jamie Burroughs, 15 student environmental
protection ambassadors made use of recyclables to produce the mural
featuring a sustainable ecosystem and urban living environment,"
Ms Mak said.
The lecture
room, equipped with audio-visual aids, can accommodate about 80
people. It is suitable for holding workshops on various environmnental
topics.
The new centre
is at 2/F, Government Accommodations, Grand Regentville, Luen Wo
Hui, Fanling. It opens from 10am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday
except Wednesday when it opens from 10am to 1pm. It opens from 1pm
to 5pm on Sunday.
Admission is
free. Guided visits and environmental education programmes for schools
and community groups are available through advance bookings.
The other two
Environmental Resource Centres are in Wan Chai and Tsuen Wan. The
Environmental Protection Department also has a mobile Environmental
Resource Centre that visits schools and community centres.
Officiating
at today's opening ceremony were the Permanent Secretary for the
Environment, Transport and Works (Environment and Transport), Mrs
Rita Lau; the Chairman of the Environmental Campaign Committee,
Mr Ronnie Wong; the Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Rob
Law; the Deputy Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Mike Stokoe;
and pop singer Miss Jade Kwan.
End/Wednesday,
August 13, 2003
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