community awareness resource materials

Environmental Resource Centre - .b 8 a Gateway to Environmental Information

Wan Chai Environmental Resource Centre - The first of its kind in

The Environmental Resource Address: Opening Hours: Centre was opened on 2 December 221 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Monday to Saturday Wednesday 1993. The Centre is located in the heart of Hong Kong 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. busy Wan Chai and is housed in an (Old Wan Chai Post Office, short Closed on Sundays and public holidays. 85-year old ‘recycled’ building which walk from Wan Chai MTR Station). Enquiry & booking: 2893 2856 once served as Hong Kong’s oldest post office. It is one element of the government’s effort in building up an formed community in Hong Kong - an improved environmental ethic within environmentally aware and well-in- essential first step in developing an the community.

Services and Facilities

Open to Public ■ During opening hours, visitors are welcome to walk in and use the facilities in the centre free of charge. ■ Guided group visits for schools and community organizations through advance booking.

Information ■ Leaflets and publications from the government, Environmental Campaign Committee, green groups and other related organizations are available.

Reference Library ■ About 2,000 books, a collection of videos, sound-slide programmes and CD-ROMs on global and local environmental issues. ■ A television with video cassette recorder, a ring-master sound-slide projector and a laser disc player are available for displaying materials. ■ Local and overseas environmental journals and press cuttings in different categories. ■ Information on various local green funds.

Touch Screen Environmental ■ A touch screen Environmental Information System with information on: Information System * Global environmental situation; * Local environmental situation; * Environmental protection in Hong Kong; * Non-government organizations in environmental protection; * What you can do to save the environment; and * Environmental education.

Display Panels/Models * Introduction to Environmental Resource Centre, Visitors Centre and Environmental Protection Department; * The 3-Rs Principle; * Waste-into-art prize-winning entries; * Environmental Quiz Challenge; and * Wastes Recycling Column.

Environmental Garden ■ A recycled brick wall, made from bricks of the old Post Office structure and an old stone grind are used to form part of a mini waterfall. ■ 8 Hong Kong animals, including barking deer, egret, eagle, frog, butterfly, monkey, carp and turtle are engraved in bronze on pillars of the environmental garden.

Environmental Activities ■ Billboards showing: Corner * Environmental activities organized by the government, Environmental Campaign Committee, green groups, community groups, professional bodies and schools in Hong Kong.

186 ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1998 community awareness resource materials

Tsuen Wan Environmental Resource Centre - a Joint Venture with the Private Sector

Opening Hours: Following the success of the first Address: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: Environmental Resource Centre in Tak Wah Park, Tak Wah Street, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tsuen Wan, N.T. Wan Chai, the Environmental Pro- Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: (Short walk from Tseun Wan 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. tection Department (EPD) estab- MTR Station). Closed on public holidays lished its second resource centre in Enquiry & booking: 2944 8204 Tsuen Wan in 1997 to further reach out to the public in promoting between the government and the for operation with a view to maxi- environmental education and private sector in that both the Woo mizing the use of available resourc- awareness. The Centre was convert- Wheelock Green Fund and the Envi- es in promoting environmental pro- ed from a traditional Hakka style ronment and Conservation Fund tection, education and awareness in Hoi Pa village house which was funded the renovation cost of the Hong Kong. The Conservancy Asso- built in 1904 and was declared as a centre. It is also the first attempt to ciation has been awarded the con- monument in 1986 by the Antiqui- contract out an environmental re- tract to operate the Centre from 1997 ties Authority. It was a joint venture source centre to a local green group to 1999.

Services and Facilities

Open to Public ■ During opening hours, visitors are welcome to walk in and use the facilities in the centre free of charge. ■ Guided group visits for schools, voluntary agencies, community groups and other organizations through advance booking.

Information ■ Leaflets and publications from the government, Environmental Campaign Committee, green groups and other related organizations are available.

Reference Library ■ A collection of books, magazines, information leaflets, booklets, teaching kits and other publications produced by EPD, other government departments, local and overseas green groups, community groups and other organizations on various environmental topics. ■ Local and overseas environmental journals and press cuttings in different categories. ■ Information on various local green funds. ■ Access to environmental information through the Internet.

Touch Screen Environmental ■ A touch screen Environmental Information system with information on: Information System * Global environmental situation; * Local environmental situation; * Environmental protection in Hong Kong; * Non-government organizations in environmental protection; * What you can do to save the environment; and * Environmental education.

Exhibition Area ■ Introduction to a traditional Hakka style Hoi Pa village house. ■ Panels displaying up-to-date environmental news and information.

Computer Room ■ Computers for CD-ROMs on various environmental and conservation issues. ■ A television set for videos, sound-slide programmes, laser discs and VCDs.

AV Room ■ A sound-slide projector, a television set with video cassette recorder and laser disc player particularly suitable for organizing environmental talks and seminars.

Green Home Exhibition Area ■ An area displaying a Hakka style kitchen in the old days. Special Features ■ A Chinese plaque and a Chinese couplet composed by Mrs. Betty Tung, the wife of the Chief Executive, are hung at the entrance of the Centre.

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