Stories of Hope Emerge at Siwu Nature Park’s Protecting Biodiversity Conference
Shenmin Liu – ILCN Regional Representative for Asia
At the beginning of the 21st century, the scientific community pitched the idea of the Anthropocene epoch. Their argument: that human impact on Earth has become so great that its biophysical changes warrant a formal tip-of-the-hat to the 11,700-year-long Holocene epoch, and the acknowledgement of a new era marked by rapid geological changes. This year the proposal was formally tabled, but the discussion is a symptom of rising eco-anxiety around the world. Increasingly, people—especially youth—are demanding change. Siwu Nature Park in Hangzhou, China, responded to this call with a special workshop, Protecting Biodiversity, Young People in Action, on May 24, 2024.
The workshop was held two days after International Biodiversity Day, which, this year, had the theme “be part of the plan”. Both events emphasized the role each person has to play in addressing global biodiversity challenges. Shenmin Liu, director of Siwu Nature Park, invited four young leaders from Chinese local Non-Governmental Organizations to share uplifting stories of conservation success. The event attracted more than 70 in-person participants and a recording garnered over 2000 views.
These are their stories.
Relating across divides – Shan Shui Conservation Center
Xiang Zhao is the Conservation Director at Shan Shui Conservation Center and has been engaged in nature conservation for over a decade. He believes that the core of nature conservation is altruism, and that engaging in conservation work is a process of redefining the relationship between humans and nature.
“In this process, what we actually care about are people—those Indigenous communities living alongside animals—and how to achieve compromise among groups with different demands, viewpoints, positions, and values in an era of information asymmetry,” said Zhao. “Thus, nature is not only a technical issue from the perspective of natural sciences, but also a topic from the perspective of human geography, exploring how personal capital, emotions, and daily life intertwine with nature, leading to the social construction of nature and its practical applications.”
Zhao’s conservation work at Shan Shui began in the Sanjiangyuan region. There, all forms of life are vibrant. He went to Yushu to track pikas, identify various plateau plants and wild animals; he studied population structure and resource management in Yunta Village; he collaborated with herders to document the dynamic changes of China’s first snow leopard population, and promoted anti-poaching patrols to protect the species.
To Zhao, nature conservation is not just scientific research; it is interdisciplinary and diverse. “We need to understand macro policies and market economics, as well as knowledge related to climate change and species habits. Additionally, it is crucial to understand the culture, living conditions, lifestyles, and attitudes towards nature of local communities, all of which can change over time. Therefore, engaging in nature conservation is a long-term and multi-faceted endeavor,” he told workshop participants.
Protecting otters, restoring harmony – Yuanxiang Wilderness Conservation Center
Qiu Shen, Founder and Director at Hangzhou Yuanxiang Wildness Conservation Center shared the conservation story of protecting otters in Zhejiang Province, China. In Zhejiang, otters once inhabited all inland water systems. Older generations in various regions had fond memories and legends about otters. They were the original inhabitants of the water towns and symbols of harmony between humans and water.
In recent years, with the increase in human activity, otter habitats have faced severe challenges. Issues such as water quality deterioration, food reduction, hunting, and infectious diseases all threaten the survival of otters. After 2000, otters nearly disappeared from Zhejiang, with only sporadic sightings ever since.
To trace the signs of otters, since 2019, Shen’s Yuanxiang Wildness Conservation Center, along with the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History and Zhoushan Forestry Academy, has traversed the islands along the Zhejiang coast. They eventually discovered that Jintang Island had the most traces of otters, possibly preserving the last hope for the species in Zhejiang.
Otters are nocturnal and secretive, making direct observation extremely difficult. The investigation team searched for otter feces, footprints, and fish bones, installed infrared cameras, and interviewed residents to find traces of otters. Their efforts revealed substantial evidence and images proving that Jintang Island has the largest and most stable otter population in Zhejiang, which is very rare and valuable nationwide.
Shen said that the otter population on Jintang Island does not live in remote areas but in town rivers, farmlands, and surrounding areas, overlapping significantly with human activities. However, their nocturnal habits make their presence hard to detect. Therefore, the protection of Jintang’s otters should not follow the traditional enclose-and-breed model but should focus on community-based conservation and harmonious coexistence with humans.
Balancing and distributing costs and benefits of clean water – Qiandao Lake Water Fund (TNC China)
Feifei Guo, Program Officer at The Nature Conservancy China Program (TNC China) shared the case of the collaborative opportunities presented by the Qiandao Lake Water Fund. The area of Qiandao Lake is one of the most important strategic drinking water sources in the Yangtze River Delta region, providing water to over 10 million people in Hangzhou and other places. The quality of drinking water mainly depends on the water source, and the water source of Qiandao Lake faces issues of agricultural non-point source pollution.
The Qiandao Lake Water Fund operates on a “beneficiary-pays” model, bringing together upstream and downstream areas for collaborative management. At the source, water protection is implemented through scientific methods such as source reduction and process interception, while downstream efforts include paid ecological outcomes like agricultural products and ecological education. Through green consumption or corporate water compensation, sustainable funds and human resources are invested in the source, resulting in diverse ecological protection benefits.
“We focus not only on the effectiveness of water protection work but also on how the projects enhance biodiversity and impact climate change adaptation,” said Guo.
In a modern society that places unprecedented importance on nature conservation and ecological restoration, many everyday living spaces are starting to carry ecological functions, creating new opportunities for human-nature interaction. Wetland parks, street greenery, rooftop planting, and other physical spaces are gradually becoming “socialized nature,” perceived and experienced by people.
Xiaowudu Wetland is the first lake-mouth wetland restoration project led and implemented by the Qiandao Lake Water Fund. The project closely collaborates with local villages and towns for joint governance and co-creation, enhancing ecological awareness and participation in rural communities. At the same time, it develops nature education and water protection products, creating a more diverse, healthy, and sustainable future.
Guo believes that nature conservation is something everyone should participate in. “Besides becoming a professional in nature conservation, we can also engage in volunteer activities in our daily lives, contributing to the improvement of the local ecological environment.”
Addressing “green deserts” with Nature-based Solution — Siwu Nature Park
Yandong Chen, Resident Scientist at Siwu Nature Park, introduced ideas for using Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to restore biodiversity in bamboo forest in East China. On Yunfeng Mountain in Siwu Ridge, Hangzhou, bamboo sways gracefully, lush and vibrant. However, behind the vitality created by these bamboo forests lies what is known as the “green desert.”
Unmanaged bamboo forests expand rapidly at an astonishing rate, blocking sunlight that is essential for the growth of flora and fauna below. The sparseness of low-growing vegetation discourages animals from visiting the area. Moreover, when bamboo forests experience widespread die-offs due to climate change or nutrient deficiencies, the area faces risks such as soil erosion, landslides, and forest fires.
Addressing these ecological issues, EcoZhejiang Nature Conservation initiated an experiment to transform and enhance the ecological restoration of bamboo forests. Using NbS, its team explores the best strategy to convert single-species bamboo forests into mixed bamboo-broadleaf forests. This initiative aims to restore biodiversity on Yunfeng Mountain through innovative and eco-friendly ecological restoration methods.
Venturing deep into the mountains in search of various wildlife species is a routine task for Chen. During the restoration process, he observed various animals gradually returning to the area. Intercropping within strips brings ample sunlight to ground-level plants, while spacious open areas provide wild animals with space for activities and foraging. Over the past three years, the number of bird species discovered has increased from just over 60 to more than 80, while mammal species have risen from eight to fourteen.
“We also hope to closely collaborate with various sectors of society and regularly organize public participation activities to raise awareness of land and biodiversity conservation,” said Liu.
The rich perspectives on nature, life, and values presented at the conference provided inspiration and guidance to a generation of conservationists. In today’s restless society, there are still people like them willing to immerse themselves deeply in the rigorous study of a secluded discipline and genuinely care about its present and future. Just as zoologist Jane Goodall once said “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help shall all be saved.”
Have news? Share updates from your organization or country by emailing ilcn@lincolninst.edu.