Projects | Fanling Golf Course Environmental Enhancement, Hong Kong

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Hong Kong’s lowlands are typically the areas where most urbanised development occurs, with a flat profile and access between urban centres. The Fanling Golf Course, located in the territory’s northern lowlands close to the border with Mainland China, serves as a crucial habitat for numerous endangered species. Its development has been deliberately minimised to preserve these ecologically important wildlife areas.

AEC, a member of the Aurecon Group, is the golf course’s long-term consultant, conducting regular ecological surveys and species monitoring to document the ongoing presence of wildlife and biodiversity.

The area, a total of 172 hectares, is home to a diverse suite of wild animals and plants. This includes the critically endangered Chinese Swamp Cypress, with wild population of the species estimated to be as low as 250.

A specific woodland area for this species has now been created for its ongoing management and protection. This approach of preserving biodiversity while maintaining world-class facilities is setting a benchmark in sustainable golf course management.

Remote investigation details wildlife species

Aurecon’s ecologists, using cutting-edge remote sensing techniques and infrared automatic cameras, have recorded many species new to the site, such as the Japanese Night Heron. The use of remote devices is a non-invasive method to track and record wildlife species and movements, allowing research to be extensively conducted over long time periods and in multiple locations simultaneously.

This has contributed to Hong Kong deepening its understanding of the wild animals native to the country, and the biodiversity habitats that support their survival and reproduction.

Location

Hong Kong

Client

Hong Kong Golf Club

Aurecon's Role

Ecological surveys and enhancement for Fanling Golf Course

Expertise

Environment & Planning, Sustainability & Climate Change

Status

Ongoing

Using infrared cameras and remote sensing, our ecologists have recorded new species, like the Japanese Night Heron, enhancing Hong Kong’s understanding of native biodiversity. Image courtesy of Hong Kong Golf Club.

Through habitat management initiatives including butterfly gardens, nesting boxes, and water features, Fanling Golf Course has achieved Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification, cementing its commitment to sustainability. Image courtesy of Hong Kong Golf Club.

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Using infrared cameras and remote sensing, our ecologists have recorded new species, like the Japanese Night Heron, enhancing Hong Kong’s understanding of native biodiversity. Image courtesy of Hong Kong Golf Club.

International certification achieved

In addition to undertaking the wildlife surveys, Aurecon assisted the Hong Kong Golf Club to achieve full certification in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary program. This internationally recognised program acknowledges golf courses that are demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship by increasing wildlife habitat areas.

To be eligible for the program, the golf course increased its adoption of wildlife habitat management practices with our support. A specific butterfly garden is home to more than 100 different species. Bird nesting boxes and bat roosting boxes were installed, and additional ponds and water features created for wildlife to nest and rest.

These practices are directed by an environment oversight committee to ensure that wildlife and plants continue to be protected and preserved at the golf course now, and into the future.