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To promote the implementation of the 300 million Youth Forest Research and Education activities, and improve their understanding of forest ecosystems and biodiversity.

23 August 2024

On the morning of 16th August, the launching ceremony was held at the south entrance of Wuyishan National Park. Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and UNESCO Representative to China, DPRK, Japan Mongolia, and ROK, attended the launching ceremony and delivered a speech. He said that UNESCO is committed to promoting international cooperation in education, science, and culture among member states, and to forest protection through the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program. By carrying out nature education activities for young people in forests, we aim to enable them to understand the importance of forest conservation through immersive field visits and indoor courses, acquire the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to become effective forest ambassadors, and establish connections and collaborations, gradually involving young people in practical actions to promote science, enhance scientific awareness, and pursue sustainable development. At the launching ceremony, the relevant officials of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Wuyishan National Park Administration, the Green Camp, as well as students' parents and student representatives made speeches respectively.

Wuyishan National Park is one of the first five national parks and the only national park that is not only a World Biosphere Reserve but also a mixed World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. This national park boasts stunning landscapes of Danxia landforms and the most complete, typical, and largest subtropical forest ecosystem in the same latitude zone as Earth. It is a gene bank for rare and unique wildlife and plants and is known as the "paradise of birds," "kingdom of snakes," "world of insects," and "key to studying Asian amphibians and reptiles. The good ecological environment, long history and culture, and rich species diversity make Wuyishan National Park the most beautiful classroom and the ideal place to carry out the youth forest nature education activities.

Wuyishan National Park is one of the first five national parks and the only national park that is not only a World Biosphere Reserve but also a mixed World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. This national park boasts stunning landscapes of Danxia landforms and the most complete, typical, and largest subtropical forest ecosystem in the same latitude zone as Earth. It is a gene bank for rare and unique wildlife and plants and is known as the "paradise of birds," "kingdom of snakes," "world of insects," and "key to studying Asian amphibians and reptiles. The good ecological environment, long history and culture, and rich species diversity make Wuyishan National Park the most beautiful classroom and the ideal place to carry out the youth forest nature education activities.

During the activity, under the guidance of the nature education tutors, the students inspected the representative Danxia landform landscape scroll of Mount Wuyi along the way, climbed the Xianfeng Ridge watchtower, looked down on the spectacular geological fracture zone of the Wuyi Grand Canyon, visited the National Park Propaganda Hall, learned about the biodiversity of Wuyishan National Park.

During field nature observation, nature tutors vividly introduced to the students the arduous and lengthy process of cicadas transforming into adults in a sit-up posture; The students tasted the flavors of tea, Houttuynia cordata, Baijiang Grass and Drinking Grass, touched the fuzz of loquat leaves and purple pearls, and the rich diversity of plant species and their unique characteristics aroused many students' curiosity and exploration. From deciphering insects to interesting stories about plants, the nature education tutors' brilliant answers have greatly benefited the students. The encounters and visits of Tibetan macaques, as well as different types of birds and insects, have excited the students.

In Taoyuan Valley, students embark on a journey to explore the secrets of nature with the Nine Palace Grid Nature Notes task assigned by their mentor, Professor Li Zhenji. “Teacher, I found two oval-shaped golden turtles, their color is as beautiful as jade! ", " We only walked a short distance and found many 'little cuties'. Nature is really interesting”, exclaimed the “Egret” student from Yichang City, exclaiming in amazement.

Arriving at Dazhulan, the birthplace of the world's biological type specimen, students encountered different types of insects and were deeply impressed. They expressed their desire to record them in their nature notes.

What I recorded is the Wangshi silk moth discovered in Dazhulan. This is the first time I have seen such a large moth with such beautiful wing patterns. The bean lily that I recorded was also discovered in Dazhulan. After crawling over its skin, it becomes red, swollen, and blistered. When encountering it in the wild, special attention should be paid, "shared" Peach "from Beijing and" Clear Dew "from Kunming. A student named "Bamboo" from Beijing said, "What I recorded is the bamboo sea of Dazhulan, because I really like bamboo. They are upright and symbolize the integrity of iron bones, and are deeply loved by ancient literati. This is also the reason why I chose 'Bamboo' as my natural name.

In the outdoor experience class of bamboo raft drifting in Jiuqu River, the cultural heritage of "military fish", "white striped fish", and "jade spotted snake" in the stream, as well as cliff carvings and hanging coffins along the river, left a deep impression on students. However, the most eye-catching thing was the white egret parked by the stream. I saw the process of the egret catching fish! ". They flew too fast, I only captured their backs. ". " The still water and flat pool were lonely and leisurely, fishing alone in the streams and fields with graceful movements. The visitors were lonely, afraid of startling the immortals on the river. "A student named" Cold Abyss " from Beijing even wrote a short poem for the egret.

During the five-day education activity, the students' understanding of Wuyishan National Park's biodiversity, Wuyi tea culture, Danxia landform, spectacular geological fault zone, and smart management of national parks was enhanced. They not only learned ecological knowledge, and planted seeds of green hope, but also further established their awareness of respecting and loving nature in the "dialogue" with nature.

The final stage of the event is the closing ceremony. Prof. Mu Jianxin, Senior Consultant of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, Ms. Zhou Yi, Project Assistant of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, as well as Mr. Huang Hai, Deputy Director of the Forestry Information Center of Fujian Forestry Administration, and Mr. Xiao Fangyi, official of the Wuyishan National Park Administration, attended the closing ceremony and presented completion certificates to the students. Prof. Mu Jianxin said at the closing ceremony that our green journey does not end here, it is just the beginning of a lifelong commitment to environmental protection and sustainable living. She urged the students to share the knowledge and experience gained from this study and their passion for forests with others when they return to schools and communities, to inspire a new generation of forest guardians, protect our natural heritage, and benefit everyone.

This is the second activity conducted in Wuyishan National Park after the first Youth Forest Nature Education Activity last October. The event was jointly hosted by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and the Fujian Forestry Administration, organized by the Fujian Forestry Society and the Green Camp, co-organized by the Wuyishan National Park Administration and Wuyishan Culture and Tourism Group Co., Ltd., and funded by the China Youth Development Foundation Mercedes-Benz Star Fund Fund-in-Trust. It was guided by the Office of the Executive Committee of National Forest Activities and the Propaganda Center of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and has positive significance for promoting young people to practice the concept of "Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains are Invaluable Assets" and jointly promote the building of ecological civilization.

Read more: UNESCO “Accelerating Carbon Neutrality: Innovative Actions for Sustainable Development” Project

 

Launched in 2022 with financial support from China Youth Development Foundation Mercedes-Benz Star Fund,  this project seeks to promote the practical actions of ecological civilization and build a sustainable future for all through innovative actions. Yearly, the project empowers stakeholders, particularly youth, with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to contribute to climate change mitigation, carbon footprint reduction, ecological protection and biodiversity conservation.

URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/2024-focusing-forest-exploring-mount-wuyi-youth-forest-nature-education-activity-was-successfully?hub=701