Background

China has successfully implemented over 4,100 wetland protection and restoration projects, established more than 600 wetland nature reserves, and created over 900 national wetland parks. Wetlands now make up over 50% of all protected natural areas, with 11 million hectares of wetlands incorporated into the national park system for conservation, bringing the total wetland area to 56.35 million hectares.

The challenge, however, is to cultivate local "fans" for each wetland area, especially from nearby communities, so that they can actively support wetland protection efforts. Engaging local communities in conservation work is key to making wetland protection more sustainable and responsive to public concerns about ecological preservation.

This project seeks to create a sustainable wetland education network by linking nature reserves, management authorities, and educational institutions. The goal is to cultivate 1,000 "Wetland Guardian Stars" for 100 wetland areas across China between 2024 and 2027. These local champions will assist in organizing education, outreach, training, and public speaking events to support wetland protection and foster greater public understanding and involvement in conservation efforts.

Mission

The mission is to cultivate local "Wetland Guardians" for each wetland, strengthening the connection between local communities and wetland conservation.

Focus Area 1: Build Regional Wetland Education Support Networks

Natural education is an essential responsibility for wetland conservation areas, but most lack sufficient funding and staff capacity to implement effective programs. While natural education has grown in popularity across China, scattered nature education institutions have the intrinsic motivation to develop and promote education in their local regions. By linking various stakeholders and building regional support networks, the project aims to empower local wetland areas with the resources to carry out educational initiatives.

Focus Area 2: Promote Sustainable Development of Wetland Education

Wetland education requires long-term resource investment. The project will collaborate with local partners to explore sustainable development paths for wetland education. This includes not only training and increasing the number of "Wetland Guardian Stars," but also enhancing the coordination capacity of regional nature education institutions. By increasing the quantity and quality of public education programs, the project aims to raise awareness and participation in wetland protection, attracting greater social and financial support for wetland conservation efforts.