Experiencing Proactive Conservation Measure: Re-cultivating Farmland at Yung Shue Ha ( 2014/01/24 )
The volunteer team of The Baroque on Lamma has organised a second round of “Weed and Mikania Clean-up” and farmland re-cultivation activity on 18th Jan 2014 at Yung Shue Ha Old Village to experience the importance of proactive conservation.
We have also invited botany experts to join us and provide guidance in singling out plants of value growing on the abandoned farmland that we would want to preserve. Markings have been given to these plants to remind volunteers not to harm these rare species when they were clearing up the weeds. Next, the volunteers started to cut off the weeds and placed them in a metal cage. Besides collecting weeds, the metal cage also served the purpose of a trial for organic compost production.
As weed is organic by nature, bacteria will naturally instigate aerobic digestion to decompose the weeds with the help of sunshine, humidity and frequent turning of the heap. Finally, the weed-turned-compost can be used as organic fertilizer to enhance fertility of the agricultural land. As Mikania were flowering on the date of the activity, volunteers were paying special attention by carefully collecting the remaining of the invasive plants into garbage bags in order to prevent the seeds from spreading all over the farmland.
On the other hand, the team has also dredged part of the mud from the bottom of a clogged stream and restored it to its vitality.
Thanks to the enormous support from the volunteers, the event was a success and marking a small step towards proactive conservation of Lamma Island. Similar events will be organised in the near future so please stay tune! |
 Besides collecting weeds, the metal cage also served the purpose of a trial for organic compost production.  Volunteers were paying special attention when collecting the Mikania in order to prevent seeds from spreading all over the farmland.   Volunteers have also restored a clogged stream to its vitality.  The volunteer team of The Baroque on Lamma has organised a second round of “Weed and Mikania Clean-up”. |
