The modern roles of Hong Kong country parks in youth environmental education

Abstract

The ultimate goal of environmental education is to promote environmental friendly attitudes and environmentally responsible behaviour. In this study, whether the Hong Kong country parks can fulfil one of their purposes to provide environmental education to the young people and have positive influence on their environmental attitudes was examined.

This study showed that the participation pattern of the young people in country parks was very low. Country parks are not fully utilized by youth and the aim of environmental education cannot be actualized among all the young people. Therefore, more actions, with the help of non-governmental organizations and promotion of ecotourism, are needed to attract more young participants to visit country parks.

Environmental attitudes of participants from two samples were measured by using the New Environmental or Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale. It was found that frequent visitations to country parks can lead to more, but not significantly more, endorsement to pro-ecological worldview. Participating in environmental knowledge-based field studies courses also has similar impacts on environmental attitudes; however, to a smaller extent than that of visiting country parks.

The study suggests a new direction for environmental education in Hong Kong. Adding more knowledge-based environmental education elements in the current natural settings of Hong Kong country parks will be more beneficial to young people to have better environmental friendly attitudes and environmentally responsible behaviour.