Written by Miss Wong Ching Yi Tina (黃靜懿 ) and Mr. Cheng Chun Yin Jarvis (鄭駿賢), GRMG Year 2 students

This summer, Tina and Jarvis, both students of Geography and Resources Management (GRMG), joined the Hong Kong Wetland Park Summer Internship Programme. Immersed in a vibrant wetland ecosystem, they gained hands-on experience in conservation, education, and park operations—while applying academic knowledge to real-world settings.

One of the most engaging parts of their internship was serving as eco-tour guides. They led visitors through the park’s trails, introduced wetland species, and explained ecological features in an accessible and interactive way. These guiding experiences helped them build confidence, improve public speaking, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

Tina shared: “Leading eco-tours and conducting surveys helped me connect geographic and ecological theory with real-world practice. It was inspiring to see how education and conservation work together to protect wetlands.”

Jarvis reflected: “Listening to the stories of volunteer guides and witnessing their passion for nature gave me a deeper appreciation for conservation and the dedication it requires.”

Learning Through Practice
Wetlands play vital roles in water regulation, biodiversity support, and carbon storage. Through this internship, Tina and Jarvis deepened their understanding of the functions and values of wetlands, sustainable management practices, and how conservation and education are integrated.

They worked across several departments—Reserve, Operations, Volunteer, and Exhibition—gaining insights into park operations, resource management, and visitor engagement. Participating in ecological surveys on butterflies and dragonflies also sharpened their fieldwork and species identification skills.

Teamwork and Public Engagement
A highlight of the internship was the collaborative design and delivery of public education workshops. Together with other interns, Tina and Jarvis worked as a team to design and deliver public education workshops—focusing on wetland conservation and creating an engaging session on dragonflies. These projects involved research, creative planning, and public presentation—strengthening their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Connecting with Nature
Beyond their core duties, the interns participated in enriching activities such as wildlife photography, a field trip to Hok Tau wetlands, and even feeding Pui Pui, the park’s resident crocodile. These experiences brought them closer to nature and allowed them to observe wetland landscapes, ecological interactions, and human-environment relationships.

Lasting Impact
For Tina and Jarvis, the internship was more than a summer experience—it was a transformative journey that reinforced their academic foundation and personal growth. It strengthened their commitment to environmental conservation and highlighted the importance of integrating knowledge with action.

Tina concluded: “This internship was a bridge between my studies and the real world. It gave me the confidence to pursue conservation work and to think about human-nature relationships through a geographic lens.”

Jarvis concluded: “This experience sparked a deeper curiosity in me. I now appreciate the natural world more and hope to contribute to conservation using geographic knowledge.” 

[All photos credited to Miss Wong Ching Yi Tina (黃靜懿 ) and Mr. Cheng Chun Yin Jarvis (鄭駿賢), GRMG Year 2 student.]