The revitalized wetland and science education activities attract residents to stop and observe. (Image source: Mangrove Foundation)

The «Green Mountain Public Welfare Urban Forest · Shenzhen Bay Park Tidal Wetland Project,» jointly initiated by multiple organizations and designed and implemented by the Shenzhen Mangrove Wetland Conservation Foundation, was officially completed and put into use on September 19, opening its arms to welcome the new season of migratory birds.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the concept that «lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.» Shenzhen continues to strive to create a global model city where humans and nature coexist in harmony. As the first ecological demonstration project in China focusing on «urban biodiversity conservation + zero waste advocacy,» its first project in South China involved the renovation and revitalization of a 2-hectare tidal wetland in Shenzhen Bay.

After nearly 10 months of ecological restoration and construction, the project successfully rehabilitated this intertidal wetland through methods such as clearing invasive species, reshaping the terrain, reconnecting water systems, and replanting mangroves. It enriched local mangrove species to 28 types and replanted over 2,000 mangrove seedlings, significantly enhancing its «ecological resilience» in purifying water quality, reducing coastal erosion, and maintaining biodiversity. The project restored the natural tidal rhythm, providing valuable foraging and habitat grounds for benthic organisms, fish, and especially migratory birds such as egrets and shorebirds, making it an easily accessible coastal wetland and a natural classroom for experiencing tidal changes. Additionally, the project created a living textbook for public ecological education, establishing a complete mangrove science education trail, developing six nature education courses, and building an open-air nature school.

It is commendable that the educational signage and resting benches in the tidal wetland park were made from over 10,000 recycled meal boxes, milk tea cups, and other再生 materials, creating a tangible connection between daily consumer behavior and environmental protection. The Green Mountain Public Welfare Special Fund comes from over a million公益 merchants on the platform. The funding provided offers small and medium-sized餐饮 businesses a low-threshold, sustainable way to participate in public welfare activities, allowing local餐饮 enterprises to contribute to the construction of «Linking Mountains and Seas · Beautiful Green Shenzhen.»

The Shenzhen Bay Park Tidal Wetland Project is considered an exemplary model of ecological restoration through multi-stakeholder governance involving government, business, and community. It not only enhances regional ecological resilience and provides a natural classroom for the public but also integrates the «zero waste» concept into a world-class coastal ecological living room, helping Shenzhen build an ecological model for a mega-city where «humans and nature coexist in harmony.»

Shenzhen Bay Park Tidal Wetland Project

The Shenzhen Bay Park Tidal Wetland Project is an ecological restoration initiative designed to rehabilitate the coastal environment of Shenzhen Bay. It was created to combat pollution and habitat loss from the city’s rapid urbanization, transforming degraded areas into thriving tidal wetlands. The project serves as a vital habitat for migratory birds and a popular recreational green space for residents.

Green Mountain Public Welfare Urban Forest

The Green Mountain Public Welfare Urban Forest is a modern ecological restoration project designed to transform degraded urban land into a sustainable green space for public recreation and environmental education. While it does not have a long historical legacy, its creation represents a contemporary commitment to combating urban pollution and fostering community well-being through nature.

Shenzhen Mangrove Wetland Conservation Foundation

The Shenzhen Mangrove Wetland Conservation Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2015 to protect and restore the vital mangrove ecosystems in Shenzhen, China. It was founded in response to the rapid urban development that threatened these coastal wetlands, which are crucial for biodiversity and protecting the shoreline from erosion. The foundation focuses on scientific research, public education, and community engagement to ensure the conservation of this important natural habitat.

Linking Mountains and Seas · Beautiful Green Shenzhen

Linking Mountains and Seas · Beautiful Green Shenzhen is a modern urban development concept that highlights the city’s transformation from a small fishing village into a major global technology hub. This initiative emphasizes the city’s commitment to integrating its lush, mountainous landscape with its coastal location through extensive parks, green spaces, and sustainable urban planning. While Shenzhen itself was established as China’s first Special Economic Zone in 1980, this specific concept promotes its ongoing evolution as a model of modern, eco-friendly metropolitan living.

Shenzhen Bay

Shenzhen Bay is a major bay between Shenzhen, China, and Hong Kong, historically significant as a route for migration. Its modern history is defined by the Shenzhen Bay Port, one of the world’s busiest border crossings, which opened in 2007 to facilitate travel and integration between the two regions. The surrounding area has been transformed from wetlands into a vibrant economic and technological hub.

mangrove

Mangroves are coastal wetland ecosystems found in tropical and subtropical regions, characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs. They have existed for millions of years, playing a crucial historical role in protecting coastlines from erosion and providing a nursery for marine life. Today, they are recognized as vital carbon sinks and are culturally significant to many coastal communities for their resources and protective qualities.

egrets

Egrets are not a specific place or cultural site, but a type of long-legged wading bird found worldwide. They are often culturally significant, symbolizing purity and grace in many traditions, such as in ancient Egypt where they were associated with the goddess of truth, Ma’at. Their presence is also a common and cherished sight in wetlands and marshes across many cultures.

shorebirds

«Shorebirds» refers to a diverse group of migratory birds, such as sandpipers and plovers, that inhabit coastal and wetland environments worldwide. Historically, many species have faced population declines due to habitat loss from coastal development and human disturbance. Their extensive migratory journeys, often spanning thousands of miles between breeding and wintering grounds, represent a remarkable natural phenomenon.