HD photos download link: https://s.kfbg.org/5bkp1n

(Hong Kong – 8 October, 2026) How does a barren, eroded hillside grow into a flourishing forest? Marking its 70th anniversary in 2026, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) will host its 4th Countryside Eco-Festival on 21–22 November 2026, celebrating its long-standing commitment to forest restoration and conservation.

Following its recognition last year as the first site in the world to receive Premium Tier certification under The Global Biodiversity Standard, KFBG will present this year’s festival under the theme Forest Ecosystems. Through a two-day programme featuring a nature market, eco-tours, DIY workshops, game booths and sharing sessions, the festival showcases the many dimensions of Hong Kong’s forests, revealing the wildlife stories they hold and highlighting their close connection to daily life.

A Gentle Reward for 70 Years of Restoration: The Story of the Brown Wood Owls

In early spring this year, KFBG’s forest monitoring team made a remarkable discovery: a pair of Brown Wood Owls nesting deep within the garden's forest canopy! The team monitored the owls throughout the breeding season until two healthy chicks successfully fledged and left the nest.

As top nocturnal predators, the presence of breeding Brown Wood Owls serves as a critical indicator of a mature forest ecosystem. "The fact that this pair chose to nest at KFBG reflects that our maturing forest provides ideal nesting sites and abundant food resources," says Yang Jianhuan, Conservation Manager at KFBG. "It stands as best affirmation of KFBG’s long-term efforts in forest restoration and conservation management."

From Conservationists to the Public: Forest Guardians in Different Roles

In addition to showcasing KFBG’s forest restoration achievements, this year’s festival aims to explore the relationship between people and forests from a wide range of perspectives.

During guided eco-tours, KFBG conservation staff will lead visitors into the wooded hills to observe wild flora and fauna while sharing the daily realities of frontline conservation. Decades of continuous forest restoration have transformed KFBG into a sanctuary for local wildlife. Today, it is home to approximately 80% of Hong Kong’s butterfly species (209), 60% of its terrestrial mammal species (34), 50% of its reptile species (51) and amphibian species (19), and one-third of its bird species (219). It also holds one of the highest known wild population densities of Leopard Cats globally.

Visitors also can have the opportunity to step inside the Conservation Genetics Laboratory to discover how DNA technology is used to combat illegal wildlife trade and identify confiscated wildlife specimens. Furthermore, they can visit the Wild Animal Rescue Centre, which has rescued over 78,000 wild animals across its 32-year history, or meet resident animal ambassadors while hearing keepers share their rescue stories and the reasons they cannot be returned to the wild.

At the Lower Farm Area, the Nature Market hosts booths run by KFBG, local environmental NGOs, artisans and artists, presenting the rich diversity of forests through interactive games, eco-friendly goods and handicrafts. Hands-on workshops guide participants to discover how natural elements, such as local tea leaves, farm honey, and orchid cultivation, are closely linked to healthy ecosystems and sustainable living. Nature art workshops, including outdoor sketching and owl figurine painting, offer visitors a unique way to connect with the forest and bring a touch of nature home.

In addition, the Action for Biodiversity Conservation public talk series features six guest conservation professionals and scholars from local NGOs and universities to share insights into frontline conservation work in Hong Kong and emerging issues in the field. Spanning flora and fauna, wetlands and forests, the talks (conducted either in Cantonese or in English) span topics from laboratory research to community education, and from scientific findings to concrete conservation actions. The series offers a valuable opportunity for the public to learn how conservationists in different roles help safeguard forests in their own ways, while discovering some of the lesser-known stories behind their work.

Stepping into the Forest: Interactive Games & Collector's Pin Badges

Although Hong Kong is often described as a "concrete jungle", approximately 40% of Hong Kong’s land area – around 1,100 square km – is designated as Country Parks and Special Areas, nurturing over 98% of the territory's native flora and fauna. Forests are not only the defining landscape of KFBG, but also the central ecological lifeline of Hong Kong's countryside.

To encourage hands-on discovery, the festival features a Forest Exploration Treasure Hunt and the KFBG Bio-Blitz Challenge. Participants can learn about local forest biodiversity through these interactive activities, with the chance to win an event-exclusive mystery edition of the KFBG Wildlife Pin.

The standard set of four pin designs – featuring Hong Kong’s only remaining wild felid, the Leopard Cat; the camouflaged Short-legged Toad; the critically endangered Big-headed Turtle; and China’s largest butterfly, the Golden Birdwing – is currently available at an early-bird discount.

Event Details & Enrolment Information

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About Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG)

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG), formerly known as the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association (KAAA), was established in 1956. It gradually transformed in the later period to focus on science-based species conservation and ecosystem restoration, and has become a precious conserved area where the public can experience and connect to nature. In KFBG, there are live animal display areas, themed botanic gardens, terraced farms, and conservation and educational facilities. Through nature conservation, holistic education and sustainable living projects, we wish to harmonise our relationship with the environment and live sustainably with respect for each other and nature.

Media Enquiries
Communication & Marketing Department
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
Contact Person: Sammi Chan
Office Tel.: 2483 7279
Email: sammi.chan@kfbg.org