Long Valley has diverse habitats and is a stopover for many migratory birds. According to a survey by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, more than 310 bird species were recorded in Long Valley from 1993 to 2017, accounting for half of the total number of bird species in Hong Kong and including 20 globally endangered species as well as many locally endangered bird species.

From Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre, walk slowly along Kwu Tung South Road towards the mountain. You will pass by village houses and can appreciate the trees and flowers commonly seen in the countryside. There are large camphor trees or fruit trees such as lychee and longan trees, which are of practical value. Rambutans, agarwood, Anredera cordifolia, and dragon fruit can also be found.

When you walk towards the Kwu Tung Reservoir, you can see the Taiwan Acacia and Ear-leaved Acacia trees in the plantations. These two tree species can adapt to poor soil and grow quickly.

Continue to go up along Kwu Tung South Road, the Kwu Tung Reservoir is surrounded by mountains. Passing the artificial dam and hiking trails, you can see Hong Kong's local pioneer plants such as the Dicranopteris pedata. Because this small hill is often affected by mountain fires, vegetation is difficult to grow into forests. Grass slopes or low shrubs have become the main habitats here.

The institute is located at Kwu Tung Road, Kwu Tung, Sheung Shui (near Kwu Tung Market). The following means of transportation are available to reach the institute:

1. Take minibus No. 50A to Kam Tsin from the public minibus terminus near Sheung Shui MTR Station (get off at Kwu Tung Market); or
2. Take bus No.76K to Long Ping Estate from the lamppost opposite to Sheung Shui Station on Choi Yuen Road, Sheung Shui, and get off at Kwu Tung Market Station.