The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is excited to bring its immersive roving exhibition, “Reviving Hong Kong's Ocean Heritage: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs,” to Cityplaza  from August 22 to September 4, 2025. This engaging public showcase explores the urgent need to restore one of Hong Kong’s most overlooked yet vital marine ecosystems – the oyster reefs.  Once abundant along our coastlines, oyster reefs have quietly disappeared, and with them, their many benefits for marine life, water quality, and coastal protection. This exhibition aims to reconnect the public with these forgotten natural allies and spark meaningful conversation and action on marine conservation.

The exhibition offers a fresh and dynamic learning experience through a blend of science, storytelling, and interactivity. Visitors of all ages will discover the ecological, historical, and cultural significance of oyster reefs through engaging displays and hands-on features. The latest edition introduces a range of new, site-specific experiences designed to inspire curiosity and deepen understanding.

Visitors can dive into the fascinating world of oysters at the OysterScope Lab, where they can peer through real microscopes to observe the incredible life cycle of an oyster — from tiny larvae to mature reef builders. This rare, close-up look at oyster development brings marine biology to life in front of your eyes.

Just steps away, visitors can enjoy Meet the Giant Oyster Babies — a vibrant photo corner featuring giant plush baby oysters and a cast of colorful underwater characters. Designed for fun and engagement, it’s the perfect spot to capture memories and immerse in the playful spirit of the ocean.

In addition to these new experiences, the exhibition continues to showcase its signature highlights. Visitor can embark on a virtual reality journey to Deep Bay and Pak Nai, examine a full-scale traditional oyster farming model featuring real oyster poles from Deep Bay, and watch a compelling water filtration demonstration video that shows how oyster naturally clean the water. A coastal resilience simulation illustrates how oyster reefs help stabilize shorelines and protect against erosion. Real marine specimens are also on display, offering a tactile and visual way to learn about marine biodiversity. A brand-new augmented reality game gives visitor the opportunity to step into the role of a marine conservationist, deploying virtual oyster shells and restore digital marine habitats. The short documentary City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs will also be screened onsite, retracing over a thousand years of oyster cultivation and its cultural significance to the Pearl River Delta.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors who participate in games or sign up through Instagram will receive limited-edition gifts featuring the popular Oyster Babies and other themed tokens, available on a first-come, first served basis while supplies last.

The exhibition comes at a critical time. Globally, more than 85% of oyster reefs have vanished due to coastal development, pollution, overharvesting, and climate change. In Hong Kong, only about 6% of marine waters are under protection, far below the global target of 30%, leaving critical ecosystems such as oyster reefs highly vulnerable. Oysters are natural ecosystem engineers, capable of filtering large volumes of water, creating habitats for marine species, and acting as natural buffers against storm surges. At summer temperatures, a single adult local oyster can filter up to 960 liters of water a day — even more for the Hong Kong oyster (Magallana hongkongensis)!

This roving exhibition is part of TNC’s broader efforts to build public awareness and support for marine protection in Hong Kong. It also complements the organization’s science-based work to advocate for stronger conservation policies, including the proposed Coastal Protection Park (CPP), a new conservation area in the Northern Metropolis that could become a world-class model of ecological restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and community engagement.

The exhibition will continue to appear at various locations across the city in the months ahead, including at ReThink Expo on September 11–12, 2025, as part of Hong Kong’s leading sustainability event.

Join us at Cityplaza to explore, learn, and celebrate Hong Kong’s marine heritage — and don’t forget to snap a photo with our giant Oyster Babies before summer ends!