By Yuan Shenggao

Fourth-grader Zhang Kexin had no idea there were so many rare birds and plants on South China's tropical island province of Hainan until she visited Fengxiang Wetland Park in early September.

The 10-year-old was among a number of students from Baiju and Dingcun primary schools in Haikou who visited the park for their first class of the autumn semester.

Specialists introduced the children to different kinds of wetlands and described why this type of habitat plays such an important role in maintaining biological diversity, resisting floods and regulating the climate.

Haikou has stepped up efforts to raise awareness of the protection and restoration of wetlands among citizens from all walks of life, with promotional and educational activities such as those designed to get more children interested in nature.

"Every part of this park is so beautiful and any photo of it can be made into a postcard," said a man surnamed Li who had driven his family to Fengxiang Wetland Park during the National Day holiday.

"We enjoyed visiting such a large wetland and seeing the beautiful rural views."

Special lectures designed to inform key officials about wetlands have been given by Ma Guangren, director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration's Wetland Conservation and Management Center, and experts including well-known professors such as Yu Kongjian from Peking University and Zhang Mingxiang from Beijing Forestry University. Information about wetlands has been disseminated via radio and TV programs, as well as on new media platforms, in a bid to cultivate social awareness.

A publicity network has also been established to build appreciation of Haikou's wetlands, supported by wetland protection associations, public welfare organizations and volunteers from schools, communities and enterprises.

Chen Song, director of the Haikou Wetland Protection Center, said the city uses international celebrations such as World Wetlands Day and World Oceans Day to raise awareness of environmental protection.

According to official figures, Haikou now has more than 9,000 wetland protection volunteers, split into 54 teams. One volunteer has even set up a private institute to research wetland protection.

"The role of volunteers cannot be replaced in the promotion of wetland science," said Wu Shuqiang, a leader of one of the teams. Because of volunteers' efforts, local residents have already begun to change their ways and are now better informed about wetland protection, Wu said.

Zhou Yuan, another volunteer, said residents living near one wetland had agreed to "not hunt birds or net fish in the ponds" and keep a lookout for anyone doing environmental damage.