Wenzhou, Zhejiang: Nurturing Young Minds with Science, Growing a Dream for Ecology

On February 2, 2026, the 30th World Wetlands Day, State Grid Wenzhou Power Supply Company joined hands with the Administration of the Nanji Islands National Marine Natural Reserve and Zhejiang Museum of Natural History to launch a promotional campaign for the occasion. Through themed lectures, exhibition panels, and interactive Q&A sessions, the event guided teenagers in learning about the Chinese Crested Tern, known as the "bird of legend", and promoted the ecological concept of synergistic development between wetland conservation and green power.

The Chinese Crested Tern is a critically endangered species worldwide and a first-class protected wildlife in China. Since 2023, Nanji Islands has successfully attracted Chinese Crested Terns to breed here through scientific attraction techniques and habitat restoration, with its population growing steadily, making the reserve the third major breeding ground for the species in Zhejiang.

At the site, themed brochures and science education materials about the Chinese Crested Tern were distributed, and the "State Grid Green Ark Program" was introduced in particular. Jointly launched by the State Grid Public Welfare Foundation and China Environmental Protection Foundation in 2022, the program aims to support biodiversity conservation through green power supply systems and digital tools. In 2023, the program settled in Nanji Islands, Pingyang County, Wenzhou, where a solar-storage microgrid was built on Pingzhi Islet. This provides stable, clean power for the reserve's monitoring equipment.

The event also invited Fan Zhongyong, a research fellow at the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History and head of the Chinese Crested Terns Attraction Program on Nanji Islands. He delivered an engaging lecture titled In Pursuit of the "Bird of Legend": Discovery and Conservation of Chinese Crested Terns. Through rare images, vivid stories and interesting Q&As, the teenagers not only learned about the bird's appearance and habits, but also understood the importance of protecting wetlands and avian species.

"Identify it by its black beak and black crest!" "Where do they go in winter?" "What can we do for them?" The interactive session was lively, with curiosity and care for nature shining in the teenagers' eyes. "Today, I learned that electricity can come from the sunlight without disturbing the birds!" A child exclaimed excitedly after the event.

A representative from State Grid Wenzhou Power Supply Company stated that the event is an important part of the company's efforts to promote "power + ecology" science communication education. By partnering with nature reserves and cultural institutions and employing diverse ways, the company promotes the concepts of green development and wetland conservation to teenagers, guiding them to value ecology and understand sustainable energy.

Moving forward, the company will continue to enhance the promotion of projects like the "State Grid Green Ark Program", actively participate in the conservation of ecosystems including wetlands and islands, and contribute to biodiversity conservation and cultural heritage preservation.

(By Liu Yun)