A program that aims to promote nature education through the city’s extensive park network was launched Sept. 25, sznews.com reported. The event witnessed the establishment of an alliance, an expert team, and a nature education exchange center.

By 2025, Shenzhen aims to develop a comprehensive system consisting of a park-based nature education exchange center and service platform, 10 exemplary nature education models, 100 dedicated nature education centers or natural trails, and 1,000 park signs explaining common flora and fauna.

The inauguration ceremony unveiled the Mantianxing Park Nature Education Alliance, which makes up the first batch of 21 member institutions and was initiated by the Shenzhen Park Service. In addition, a team of 28 experts from Shenzhen and Hong Kong was officially formed during the ceremony. The newly established nature education exchange center will serve as a hub for seminars and knowledge-sharing on this vital subject.

Shenzhen, known as a city of parks, currently has 1,260 parks in total. In 2015, the city was the first among Chinese cities to establish a nature education center. Since then, the city’s parks have set up 45 education centers and have collectively benefited nearly 100,000 individuals each year. OCT Wetland, Shenzhen Bay Park, Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Xiangmi Park and Honghu Park have left a lasting imprint on society through their nature education endeavors. The city has also trained over 1,200 nature education volunteers.