Dr Lo Wing Ka, Julia, Assistant Professor of the Department of Special Education and Counselling at EdUHK, in collaboration with Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve under the Environmental Association, in 2024-2025 on a project titled “Flourishing in a Butterfly Garden (幸福の蝴蝶園)”. The project is sponsored by Link Together Initiatives, Link Asset Management Limited’s (Link) flagship charity and community engagement programme. The project team set up butterfly gardens in two local secondary schools, offered social horticultural intervention for secondary students with social and emotional difficulties, and examined the preliminary effects of this nature-based intervention on promoting the well-being of the students.
The project was conducted in two local secondary schools near the butterfly gardens of Link’s shopping mall, with students participating as research subjects. During the programme, students acquired basic knowledge about butterflies and plants, participated in horticultural therapy activities, and were guided by teachers to maintain nearby butterfly gardens, including pruning and planting butterfly-friendly plants. Dr Julia Lo stated, “Flourishing in a Butterfly Garden (幸福の蝴蝶園)” programme emphasizes student participation. Teachers do not overly intervene in their designs but instead give them ample time to explore freely, sparking their curiosity about nature conservation. Moreover, many students have opportunities to work together with peers to maintain the butterfly gardens. Positive peer interactions create a relaxed atmosphere for students, encouraging students who are usually passive or afraid of social interactions to relax and actively participate in the programme.” Results suggested that this butterfly gardening programme helped promote the psychological, physical, and social well-being of the participating students. Results also revealed that the effects last for at least two months after completion of the programme. The butterfly gardens in schools provide students with relaxing spaces, strengthening their well-being.
Dr Julia Lo shared the findings of this project at a community workshop held on 20 December 2025. The project team looks forward to implementing this butterfly gardening programme in different local communities, with an aim to foster a human-nature connection and promote the well-being of Hong Kong people.
If you would like to learn more details, please click the link below:
https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20251220/mobile/bkn-20251220193010591-1220_00822_001.html.
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