Managed by the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, Mai Po Nature Reserve occupies 380 hectares in the heart of Hong Kong’s only internationally designated wetland. The site is known to support 16 globally threatened species of birds, over 20 species of invertebrates new to science and one crab species endemic to the Pearl River Delta.
Funding sources and management structure
The start-up and operating costs are supported by the Government, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and donations from the corporate sector and the general public. In the 2010 fiscal year, the management cost of the Reserve was HK$6.6M (WWF, 2011a). The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) contributed HK$1.4M, or 22% of annual costs.
Managing sustainability
A Mai Po Management Committee has been established to advice and guide on the overall management of the Reserve.
Benefits to the community
The Reserve is seen as an effective measure for wetland conservation. This is supported by an increase in the population of water birds in the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay area. Apart from conservation, the Reserve has proved a popular site for recreation and tourism: over 100,000 visitors have participated in tours organized by the WWF since 2000.