Stepping Up for Nature: CityUHK SEE Student Chapter and Trail Sweeper Lead Post-Holiday Clean-Up

The School of Energy and Environment (SEE) Student Chapter 2026/27 at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), in collaboration with environmental organization Trail Sweeper, successfully conducted a clean-up activity at the Shing Mun Reservoir on 11 October 2026.

The initiative brought together around 30 participants, including SEE staff and students, as well as Trail Sweeper volunteers, to help mitigate the environmental impact of increased visitor activity following the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day Golden Week holidays. During this peak travel period, many popular hiking trails and campsites experienced a surge in visitors, resulting in a noticeable increase in litter left in natural areas.

To address this issue, volunteers spent several hours collecting waste from campsites and surrounding hiking trails in and around the reservoir area. Their efforts results in the removal and proper disposal of approximately 8 kilograms of non-biodegradable waste and debris, helping to restore and protect the local natural environment.

Beyond immediate environmental remediation, the initiative served an important educational purpose. By engaging participants in hands-on conservation work, the event aimed to reinforce public awareness regarding environmental stewardship, proper waste management, and the principles of Leave-No-Trace outdoorsmanship, thereby instilling lifelong habits of sustainability among university members and the wider community.

The SEE Student Chapter expressed its appreciation to Trail Sweeper and all participating members for their contribution to the event. As a leading institution dedicated to sustainable development, the School of Energy and Environment remains steadfast in its mission to translate environmental science into meaningful community impact, continuing to empower students, staff, and alumni to serve as proactive champions of ecological conservation and global sustainability.