Environmental Education for the Community

	Swire Properties Community Ambassador, our corporate volunteer team, contributed 3,250 hours of service to the community in 2007, of which 876 hours were committed to sustainable environmental programmes.

This section only covers our volunteer work by ambassadors. We will highlight other philanthropic and community investment programmes in next year's report.

Tree Planting: Plant for Planet

Realising that Hong Kong needs to develop a greater awareness towards the value of greening, in May 2007, our Green Ambassador Programme jointly organised a two-day camp for 30 teenagers from the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society (HKFWS). A tour around Mount Davis was arranged along with team building games and an environmental talk. With everyone's effort, over 80 trees were planted in the area.

Beach Cleaning

Improper waste disposal and treatment is hazardous to the environment and the population. In September 2007, we took the initiative to partner with one of our commercial tenants, Otis Elevator Company (HK) Limited and 50 children from the Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS), to clean up Shek O Beach.

Promoting Biodiversity

Another highlight of the programme at Shek O was the sand sculpture competition. The teams demonstrated great teamwork and creativity in expressing their concern for protecting the wildlife biodiversity in Hong Kong.

Promoting Sustainability to Children

Swire Properties understands that reaching out and educating the community, especially children, is a vital component in moving our society towards sustainable development. Continuing with our sustainability programme, we helped a group of foster children to spread the green message in the summer of 2007. The programme includes adventure-based camps, various outings and rendering volunteer services.

Appreciating Organic Food

In April 2007, a group of over 20 Green Ambassadors, including our employees and their friends and family members, together with 30 foster children from the Hong Kong Children and Youth Services (HKCYS), helped to set up a Farmers' Market in Wanchai. A group of organic farmers participated in the market and our ambassadors and the foster children assisted the farmers in selling vegetables. Everyone who volunteered at the event found it enjoyable and rewarding.

We also organised an enjoyable farm visit in July 2007 as part of the 'Young Leaders for Tomorrow' programme where children of our employees gained first hand knowledge and experience in organic farming.