扶輪百週年紀念濕地研究院於2007年2月24日舉行「探討開放邊境禁區之影響」講座，讓政府代表、環境及文化保育學者、原居民及建築師有機會以不同觀點就此議題作深入討論。承接該講座，研究院將於2007年6月2日舉行「邊境禁區實地考察活動」，並由邊境禁區內的蓮麻坑原居民葉偉彰博士帶領參加者進入禁區，認識這獨特地方的文化遺產及自然環境，參加者亦會發現邊境禁區內香港和深圳的不同面貌。

關於活動詳情，請參閱活動慨要。如欲報名，請填妥報名表格並電郵至：rciwc@wwf.org.hk 或傳真至：2482 0369。截止日期為2007年5月18日。如有查詢，請致電：3193 7509聯絡卓小姐。

© WWF-Canon / WWF-Switzerland / A. della Bella

地球表面超過30%被森林所覆蓋。森林是陸地上最著名的生物多樣性儲存庫，它既為超過三分之二已知的陸地物種的居所，亦扶養著最多的受威脅物種。森林對人類而言，非常有用。它為我們提供建築用的木材、為動物提供養份、提供動物吃草和人類休憩的地方、是藥物和食物的來源，亦是防止泥土侵蝕和山崩的保護罩。因此，我們必須明白森林生態系統的整體運作，並了解當中的生境所面對的威脅怎樣影響我們。

在香港，原始森林早於數百年前已被夷平，繼1945年開展的植林計劃，現時本港只剩下次生林。因此，本港完全依賴進口木材資源。

作為香港的普通市民，我們可怎樣協助保護逐漸消失的森林？

由警察公共關係科主辦，匯豐銀行慈善基金贊助及世界自然基金會協辦的「少年警訊環保專章計劃」已於3月底正式展開，希望透過是次計劃提高少訊會員對環境保護和自然保育的意識。

© Patrick Ho / WWF Hong Kong

環保專章計劃將透過研討會、實習培訓、野外考察及環保專題報告等活動，以「導師培訓」的形式，培育30名少訊深資領袖，再由他們培訓少訊領袖及會員。

培訓計劃分三個階段進行，首階段（3月至6月）將著重深資領袖的能力建立及環保知識的提升，而第二及第三階段則會加強他們計劃和推行環保教育項目的能力。

該30名深資領袖將在第二階段（6月至8月），在本會教育主任協助下，為400名少訊領袖籌辦一項環保教育課程及兩項野外考察活動；他們亦會在第三階段（2007年10月至2008年年初）為400名少訊會員籌辦一個研討會及野外考察活動，以提升會員對環保的意識。

完成首兩個階段訓練的深資領袖將獲少年警訊頒發「深資領袖環保專章」，以肯定他們的能力及資格，從而繼續推行第三階段的培訓。

The Rotary Centennial Institute for Wetland Conservation organized a seminar on the "Effect of reduction on the coverage of the Frontier Closed Area" on 24th February 2007 to provide a venue for in-depth discussion on the issue from the different perspectives of the Government, environment and cultural conservationists, local villagers and architects. The Institute is going to organize a follow-on activity - "Field Trip to the Closed Area" on 2nd June 2007 which will be guided by Dr. Ip Wai Cheung, the Representative of Lin Ma Hang Village within the Closed Area, to allow participants to enter the restricted area and learn more about the cultural heritage and the natural environment of this unique area. You will be able to discover the contrast between Hong Kong and Shenzhen within the Closed Area.

For more details, please refer to the program outline. For registration, please fill in the registration form and fax it to 2482 0369 or email to rciwc@wwf.org.hk Deadline of application is 18th May 2007. For further enquiries, please contact Ms. Eva Cheuk at 3193 7509.

© WWF-Canon / WWF-Switzerland / A. della Bella

Over 30% of the Earth's surface is covered with forests. They are amongst the most notable storehouses of biological diversity on land. They are home to over two-thirds of the known terrestrial species as well as having the largest share of threatened species. Forests have a variety of uses to humans. They include wood for building, nutrition for animals, areas for animal grazing and human recreation, sources of medicine and food as well as acting as a protective cover to prevent soil erosion and landslip. It is therefore important for us to understand the forest ecosystem as a whole and appreciate how the resultant threat to its habitats will affect us.

In Hong Kong, the original forest cover was cleared centuries ago, and now only secondary forest is left following the 1945 reforestation programme. Therefore, Hong Kong solely relies on import for timber resources.

As an ordinary citizen of Hong Kong, how can we help to protect our disappearing forests?

Junior Police Call (JPC) Environmental Badge Scheme, organized by Police Public Relations Branch, sponsored by HSBC fund and co-organized by WWF, was launched at the end of March. The aim of the scheme is to enhance the knowledge of environmental protection and conservation of the JPC members.

© Patrick Ho / WWF Hong Kong

This scheme is made up of a series of training programmes which include seminars, tutorials, field trips and case study report. Through the 'multiplication' mechanism, 30 advanced leaders will first be trained and equipped and they will also participate in the training of the leaders and junior members.

The whole scheme is divided into three phases. In phase 1 (March to June), the training programmes aim to enhance the advanced leaders' knowledge and understanding of environmental issues. As for phase 2 and 3, the training will focus on building up their capacity in planning and implementing of environmental education programmes.

In phase 2 (June to August), the trained advanced leaders will take the lead to plan, design and implement 1 environmental education programme and 2 field visits under the guidance of WWF staff for the 400 JPC leaders. Moreover, they will be involved in organizing a seminar and a field trip for 400 JPC members with the aim to raise the members' awareness of the environment in phase 3 (October 2007 to early 2008).

Participants who have completed the first two phases of the scheme will be awarded the "Advanced Leader Environmental Badge" to recognize their ability and qualifications before joining phase 3 of the training.