保衛郊野公園聯盟在今日舉行一個史無前例、覆蓋全港的網上動員行動，以保護香港的郊野公園。首屆的欣賞郊野公園日，主題為 #保衛郊野公園，已於12月第二個星期日舉行。行山人士在全港多個郊野公園分享了過千張標籤了#保衛郊野公園的相片。
近200名來自16個聯盟成員和關注團體的義工在全港設置超過30個義工站，覆蓋全港共24個郊野公園當中的20個。義工將會統計行山人數，並鼓勵行山人士自拍打卡以支持保衛郊野公園。這個網上動員行動為香港巿民提供機會，站出來反對發展郊野公園。
由早上8時至中午12時，總共超過34,106訪客曾進入郊野公園，並透過義工獲得保衛郊野公園的資訊。社交媒體（包括Facebook 活動專頁和Instagram）有著過千相片或影片標籤了 #保衛郊野公園。
前天文台台長及現任香港中文大學地理與資源管理學系客座教授林超英表示：「這個活動非常厲害，令眾多團體能團結起來保護郊野公園，亦給予巿民發聲的機會。」
他補充：「中國政府將『青山綠水』劃入城市規劃方針，香港應該做得更好，不應讓郊野公園受發展威脅。香港獨特和豐富的郊野公園環境，沒有其他世界城市能媲美，發展商和政府絕不應破壞這份瑰寶。今日的活動是呼籲香港巿民站出來，為了我們的下一代展示保衛郊野公園的決心。」
根據郊野公園及海岸公園管理局進度報告，比較上年夏季同期行山人數上升了24.8%，突顯了郊野公園為本港巿民和遊客作為消閒和娛樂場所的重要性。
香港中文大學地理與資源管理學系客座教授王褔義講述了郊野公園的成立歷史和目的，並強調郊野公園應該受到保留和保護。
香港遠足覓合會的發起人沈士基表示：「我們有過萬的會員，熱愛行山的人數不斷上升。郊野公園是一個重要場所，用以認識新朋友、聚會、消閒運動、改善健康等。」
地球之友行政總裁張潔儀稱：「我熱愛郊野公園，亦關注對環境的好處。如提供野生動物棲息地，豐富生物多樣性、樹木吸收二氧化碳（溫室氣體）以緩減氣候變化、綠化環境有助我們的身心健康，郊野公園亦覆蓋著我們的食用水源。」
關注團體促請行政長官梁振英履行競選時的承諾，他曾聲稱「我們會保護郊野公園及具生態及其他價值的土地和水體，以及長遠規劃其他可供開發的土地。」
The Save Our Country Parks alliance held an unprecedented, territory-wide event leading to a “Facebook Fire Storm” in support of Hong Kong country parks. With the theme #SaveOurCountryParks, this was the first Country Parks Appreciation Day to be held annually on the 2nd Sunday in December.
The firestorm of selfies #SaveOurCountryParks is happening on Facebook with thousands of images and messages uploaded by hikers today throughout Hong kong’s country parks.
Over 200 volunteers from 16 organisations and individuals set up more than 30 stations at key entrances to 20 of Hong Kong’s 24 country parks. The volunteers counted visitors and asked them to take selfies in support of safeguarding country parks. The mega event gave Hong Kong people an opportunity to stand up and oppose those wanting to use country parks for development.
From 8am to 12noon, 34,106 visitors were counted entering the country parks and get the message of Save Our Country Parks from our volunteers. Over thousands of messages were tagged with #SaveOurCountryParks across social media, including Instagram and Facebook event page.
“This event is truly amazing,” said Prof. Lam Chiu-ying, former director of the Hong Kong Observatory and currently adjunct professor of the Geography and Resource Management Department of CUHK. “It’s great that so many groups have rallied in support of our country parks, giving Hong Kong people a chance to air their views.”
Prof. Lam added: “The national government has decided to incorporate special ecological areas within its urban planning strategy. We should do likewise, yet there are increasing threats from developments. Hong Kong has a unique treasure with our extensive country parks system – which no other World City can rival. Developers and government should not encroach on this unique asset. Today’s event shows that people care and are willing to stand up to protect the country parks for our next generations.”
According to the Country and Marine Parks Authority’s Progress Report, the number of visitors has increased 24.8% compared with last summer – clearly showing that country parks are ever more important for leisure and relaxation for Hong Kong residents and visitors.
Prof. Wong Fook-yee, adjunct professor of the Geography and Resource Management Department of CUHK, related the history and objectives of establishing Hong Kong country parks, and said they should be conserved and protected.
“We have more than ten thousands members – all of whom love the country parks –and this continues to grow,” said SK Shum, organiser of Hong Kong Hiking Meetup. “The country parks are for gathering and meeting new people, for sports and recreation, for our health.”
Suzanne Cheung, CEO of Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong), said, “I love country parks, and am keenly aware of the environmental benefits – such as providing habitats for wildlife to enhance biodiversity, trees absorb carbon dioxide (GHG) to mitigate climate change, greenery that benefits our mental and physical health, and as a source of clean drinking water.”
The groups also called on the Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to stay true to his Election Manifesto, in which he promised that “We will protect our country parks and bodies of land and water with ecological value, and formulate long-term plans for other areas of land available for development.”