Chen Siqi vankochensq@163.com GUIDED by volunteers from the Baguang Nature School, a group of students from Kuichong No. 2 Primary School visited Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park in Dapeng New Area early this month. The young students took part in an outdoor science class where they explored nature and learned about mangroves and ancient tree conservation. The Baguang Nature School is not a typical school — it relies on volunteers to provide nature education and uses the mountains, seas, and rivers of Baguang as classrooms to teach students and tourists about plants and animals. Founded in 2020, the school is one of seven national-level nature schools in Shenzhen certified by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. It has become a vital hub for environmental education and awareness. Through innovative nature classes and community partnerships, over 10,000 people have participated in nature education at the school. On a humid, sunny day in June, a group of fifth-grade students from Kuichong No. 2 Primary School visited Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park, which is home to an ancient cluster of Heritiera littoralis mangroves that is recognized as the oldest and most intact natural grouping of its kind in the world. Heritiera littoralis, commonly known as the looking-glass mangrove or silver-leaf mangrove, is named for its unique leaves, which are green on one side and silver on the other. With the help of nature school volunteers, the students made detailed observations of ancient mangroves and other unique plants, including Avicennia marina, Acrostichum aureum, and Casuarina equisetifolia. Volunteers Yanzi, Baihe, Qinling, Lyuluohua, Yeju, and Cili guided small groups of students in identifying different plant species. During their exploration, the students occasionally encountered fascinating creatures like millipedes and weaver ants, which added an element of surprise to the expedition. Under the guidance of the volunteers, some students had hands-on experiences with the creatures. Many students expressed an interest in growing their own looking-glass trees. They gathered seeds to take home, hoping to grow seedlings and eventually return them to Baguang. On May 18, SUSTech students, guided by SUSTech teachers and nature school volunteers, learned about coastal geology and the wildlife of mangrove forests and tidal zones. Volunteers shared insights on mangroves’ unique adaptations to tidal environments and highlighted the crucial roles smaller creatures play within the ecosystem. Another tour on May 19 — a collaboration between the Shenzhen Spring Environmental Protection Volunteer Association, SUSTech, and the nature school — focused on nurturing the silver-leaf mangroves. Li Zhengjun, a volunteer from the association, led students in activities such as weeding and applying barrier fabric around young mangrove seedlings. During the two-day event with SUSTech, students gained a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity, including the harm caused by invasive species and the negative impacts of prolonged exposure to freshwater. The nature school encourages more people to get involved in promoting biodiversity and conservation efforts. So far this year, the school has organized more than 70 events and provided nature education to more than 2,300 people. | 