Huangshi, Hubei: Working Together to Create a Safety Net for Birds

In Huangshi, Hubei Province, power transmission worker Zheng Qingsong is affectionately known as the "Father of Birds of the Power Grid." On March 31, just ahead of International Bird Day, Zheng led volunteers from the Hubei Huangshi "Father of Birds of the Power Grid" Volunteer Service Team in educating local students about birds. Teaming up with avian experts, they aimed to strengthen the students' love for and awareness of bird protection, collectively creating a safety net for local bird populations.

Attendees At the Bird Knowledge Lecture

Photo By Cao Xiangkui

That morning at 10 a.m., in a classroom at Yangxin County Foreign Language School in Huangshi, volunteers and avian experts delivered an engaging lecture, sharing local stories of bird protection with the students. The session featured lively participation in interactive Q&A and poetry recitation. Afterwards, the volunteers organized a birdwatching excursion for the students to the nearby Yangxin Wanghu Lake Wetland.

Zheng Qingsong (Second from Left) Releasing a Rescued Bird

Photo by Cao Xiangkui

Birds are cherished companions of humans and vital species for maintaining ecological diversity. To date, the Hubei Huangshi "Father of Birds of the Power Grid" Volunteer Service Team boasts over 2,000 members. They have conducted more than 20 public lectures on bird conservation, covering over 6,000 people, and have rescued over 200 birds. Furthermore, they have established a closely coordinated ecological protection network with local environmental departments, community organizations, and wetland parks. Each year, these volunteers visit schools, wetlands, and other locations to teach students about bird habits and knowledge, encouraging active participation in bird conservation initiatives.