Building on a shared commitment to Nature-based Solutions, this strategic partnership will advance ecological restoration, climate resilience, and interdisciplinary collaboration across the Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

HONG KONG, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Pak Nai, Hong Kong, marking a major step forward in advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS), ecological restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

(L–R) Augustine Lam, Assistant Secretary (Greening and Landscape) 1, Development Bureau; Anthony Gao, Executive Director for Hong Kong and Regional Partnerships, The Nature Conservancy (TNC); Chan Pok-chi, MH, JP, Legislative Councillor for the Agriculture and Fisheries Functional Constituency; Julia Lau Man-kwan, JP, Legislative Councillor for the Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape Functional Constituency; Dr. Yin-lun Chan, President of The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA); and Simon Chan Kin-fung, Assistant Director (Conservation), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

The agreement was signed by Dr. Yin-lun CHAN, President of HKILA, and Mr. Anthony GAO, Executive Director for Hong Kong and Regional Partnerships, TNC. The ceremony was witnessed by Hon. Julia LAU Man-kwan, JP, Legislative Councillor for the Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape Functional Constituency, and Hon. CHAN Pok-chi, MH, JP, Legislative Councillor for the Agriculture and Fisheries Functional Constituency.

This strategic partnership brings together HKILA's expertise in landscape architecture and planning with TNC's global expertise in conservation science, ecological restoration, and Nature-based Solutions to accelerate nature-positive development across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond.

Under the terms of the MoU, HKILA and TNC will collaborate across four core operational scope areas:

Collaborative Efforts in Ecological Restoration: Partnership and joint effort on wetland, terrestrial and marine ecological restoration projects in the Northern Metropolis, Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area by leveraging the strengths and expertise of the two organizations covering multi-disciplinary aspects to address ecological integrity, community well-being, and sustainable development. Policy Advocacy and Strategies on NbS: Jointly developing NbS strategies and advisory recommendations for the HKSAR Government to integrate into key future developments, particularly within the Northern Metropolis, to enhance habitat connectivity, biodiversity, and flood resilience. Leadership, Public Awareness, and Education: Driving NbS thought leadership, community engagement campaigns, educational workshops, and conferences across Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, while fostering greater public understanding of how NbS, science-based conservation and sustainable landscape planning can help address the interconnected challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Cross-Border Collaborations and Partnerships: Fostering regional, cross-boundary knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary research collaborations, ecological restoration initiatives, and the development of best practices to scale NbS across the Greater Bay Area and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Dr. Yin-lun CHAN, President of HKILA, said, "Landscape architects stand at the intersection of built environments and natural ecosystems. Partnering with The Nature Conservancy allows us to bridge science-backed conservation with scalable landscape design. This agreement reinforces our collective dedication to embedding Nature-based Solutions directly into Hong Kong's major growth engines, such as the Northern Metropolis, ensuring our urban expansion is both climate-resilient and biodiverse."

Mr. Anthony GAO, Executive Director for Hong Kong and Regional Partnerships, The Nature Conservancy, stated, "At TNC, our core mission is to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. Addressing the intertwined challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines. By bringing together TNC's science-based conservation expertise and HKILA's professional leadership in landscape architecture and planning, this partnership provides a strong foundation for advancing nature-based solutions that restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity and strengthen community resilience. Together, we can help set new regional standards for urban ecological resilience and nature-positive development, while creating lasting benefits for both people and nature."

The MoU marks the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration between HKILA and TNC, bringing together complementary expertise in landscape architecture and conservation to support long-term environmental, social and community benefits.

About The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA)

Established in 1988, The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects is a body incorporated by The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects Incorporation Ordinance (Cap. 1162), with the objects, among others, to promote the advancement of landscape architecture, raise the standard and maintain the integrity of the landscape architectural profession, and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas in relation to all aspects of landscape architecture and matters in connection with the landscape architectural profession.

About The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. TNC has been in Asia Pacific for over 30 years with projects in Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

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Representatives from HKILA, TNC, government departments, academia, local communities, industry partners and conservation stakeholders gathered at Pak Nai following the MoU signing.

(L–R) Julia Lau Man-kwan, JP; Dr. Yin-lun Chan; Anthony Gao; and Chan Pok-chi, MH, JP, display the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Pak Nai. (L–R) Julia Lau Man-kwan, JP; Dr. Yin-lun Chan; Anthony Gao; and Chan Pok-chi, MH, JP, display the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Pak Nai.
Source: The Nature Conservancy