Living Nature @ UST: Exploring the Natural Beauty and Biodiversity of HKUST

How often do we slow down and notice the nature around us?

To encourage hall student residents to explore a different side of campus, the Sustainability/Net-Zero Office recently organized two sessions of campus eco-tours titled “Living Nature @ UST: Campus Nature Stroll”. Held over a weekend in September, the tours invited students to discover HKUST's biodiversity and natural spaces.

The guided experience brought participants to a variety of nature-rich locations across campus, where they explored how nature intersects with our daily lives, from food systems and wildlife habitats to wellbeing and technology. Through sensory exploration activities, students were encouraged to slow down, observe their surroundings, and experience familiar places from a new perspective.

Throughout the tour, students showed great curiosity and enthusiasm, actively asking questions about biodiversity and sharing their own observations along the way. Nature apps such as iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID were also introduced to help participants identify species and better understand the biodiversity around them. Many were surprised by the rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes found on campus, while several shared that they had never visited some of the featured locations before, despite studying or living at HKUST.

Beyond learning about biodiversity, the tour also provided an opportunity for participants to step away from academic life and spend time outdoors. One participant remarked that HKUST felt more like a "University of Serenity and Tranquility", highlighting how nature can create moments of calm and reflection amidst a busy semester.

By bringing together biodiversity, campus exploration, and nature connection, the Campus Nature Stroll encouraged participants to discover the living nature around them and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural environment at HKUST.