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Last year, more than 24,000 people took part in the scheme, with a total of 34,000 trees being planted.
The Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Lawrence Lee, said he was pleased to note that since the inception of the scheme, local residents' had become more and more aware of the concept of keeping the countryside green.
He further noted that the scheme had also become part and parcel to his department's annual tree-planting programme for country parks in Hong Kong with more than 300,000 trees being planted by the department each year.
Turning to this year's scheme, Dr Lee said that from tomorrow (Sunday) until the end of April, sites at four country parks in Ma On Shan, Quarry Bay, Hok Tau and Nam Shan in Lantau would be open on Sundays and public holidays for the public to plant trees.
During the period, AFD staff will station at the sites to give technical advice to participants. Seedlings and planting tools will also be provided.
Dr Lee noted that to further promote the meaningful activity, AFD had also identified eight country park sites for tree planting by schools and community organisations, including the participation of the Community Chest. Interested groups are welcome to contact AFD's Conservation Education Unit on 2733 2121.
In his tribute to community organisations and groups for their long-time support, Mr Lee especially thanked the International Lions Clubs District 303 for sponsoring this year's scheme and HK-TVB for assisting in its promotion.
Also present at this morning's launching ceremony were Chairman of the Country and Marine Parks Board, Dr Jim Chi-yung; Chairman of Friends of the Country Parks, Dr Tam Wing-kun; Lions Clubs' District Governor, Mr Phileas Fok, and General Manager of HK-TVB, Mr Alex Ying.
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