Conservationist Lew Young, who helped set up Hong Kong’s only Ramsar protected wetland, dies at age 60
- The chief executive of the Ramsar Regional Initiative East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership suffered a fatal heart attack during a trip to Beijing
- Young is fondly remembered for helping turn Mai Po, home to abundant endangered species, into a popular education centre
Hong Kong conservationist Lew Young, who played an instrumental role in setting up the city’s first and only Ramsar protected wetland site in Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay, died earlier this week. He was 60.
Having managed part of the wetland for 17 years, Young is fondly remembered for his efforts in fighting for stronger protections for the landmark, a home to abundant endangered species, and turning Mai Po into a popular education centre for families and students all over Hong Kong.
The conservationist suffered a fatal heart attack during a trip to Beijing on Tuesday, according to the South Korea-based based Ramsar Regional Initiative East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, of which Young had been chief executive since last year.
“This is a tragic loss for the EAAFP. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends,” the group said in a statement.
Formerly with WWF-Hong Kong, Young was actively involved in getting Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay designated as the city’s first Ramsar site in 1995. He helped WWF manage the Mai Po nature reserve within the area from 1991 to 2008.
The Ramsar Convention promotes the “conservation and the sustainable and wise use of wetlands”. Signatories commit to maintaining the ecological character of 2,300 “wetlands of international importance” referred to as Ramsar sites.
Black-faced spoonbill numbers dwindle again as habitats degrade
He was also actively involved in promoting the conservation of migratory birds in the region and around the world, including the black-faced spoonbill, which has become a signature of the Hong Kong Wetland Park.
Nial Moores, director of the Birds Korea NGO, described Young as a “wonderfully sincere, generous and kind friend and colleague”.
He described Young as “a man who worked tirelessly and honestly over decades for conservation at Mai Po, then through the Ramsar secretariat, and since last year as chief executive of the EAAFP”.
Dr Michael Lau Wai-neng, formerly head of wetlands conservation at WWF and who also helped manage the Mai Po site, said he was shocked about Young’s passing.
“It’s still sinking in,” said Lau, who knew Young for more than three decades.
He knew that if you want things to happen, you must listen to different stakeholders and find win-win compromises
“Lew played an instrumental role in the creation of the Ramsar site wetlands, which were lacking in protection before that. Other than Mai Po, there were also fish ponds and reed beds outside that were mostly privately owned and ecologically important.”
Lau said Young was a diligent, hard worker and would campaign using reason and persuasion rather than with just a loud voice.
“He knew that if you want things to happen then you must listen to different stakeholders and find win-win compromises,” Lau said.
“He also frequently stressed that the conservation of wetlands was not just about protecting birds but something that related to people’s interests too. It’s also about wise use of wetlands.”
Call for stand-alone body to enforce protection of Hong Kong’s wetlands
Young joined the Ramsar secretariat in 2008 as senior regional adviser for Asia and Oceania. He advised on and supported the strategic development and effective implementation of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for 10 years until he joined the EAAFP secretariat.
In an interview with the Post last year, he called for a stand-alone management committee to enforce protection and long-term management of Hong Kong’s wetlands, many of which were being degraded and damaged by illegal use and activities or left to abandonment.
“We need to find a long-term solution for the sustainable management of the site,” Young said.
“Many of the fish pond operators are getting old and will soon retire, but there are few, if any, young people to take their place. What happens? The wetlands become abandoned and dilapidated, and they lose their value.”
Young was last in Hong Kong in January to attend a forum on wetlands.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
