As the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone celebrates its 45th anniversary, the Baguang Nature School marks five years of protecting the silver-leaf mangroves that thrive in the Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park in Dapeng New Area. Over the past four and a half decades, Shenzhen has been regarded as a "City of Volunteers," with more than 4 million registered volunteers contributing to urban development. Among these, the Baguang volunteer team has grown quickly, becoming an unique force of mangrove protection.
今年是深圳经济特区建立45周年，也是坝光自然学校成立5周年。45年时光，超400万名注册志愿者为深圳城市建设贡献力量，用近半个世纪的坚守与奉献，为深圳“志愿者之城”的荣誉称号写下最生动的注脚。5年间，坝光志愿者队伍在自然学校的支持下也逐渐壮大，与百年银叶林一起成为海岸线上闪烁的坝光之光。
Zhou Wei (L), honorary vice principal of Baguang Nature School, shares stories about the silver-leaf tree with volunteers during a conservation training session. Photos by Liu Xudong unless otherwise stated
The silver-leaf mangrove clusters in Baguang are among the most intact and oldest in the world. Dozens of trees, some over 500 years old, stretch across the area. They are living witnesses of the past migration of the Hakka people to the area and stand as guardians of Yanzao Village.
坝光银叶树群是我国乃至全世界保存最完整、树龄最长的天然古银叶树群落。数十棵百年以上的古树在这里伸展开来。它们见证了客家先祖从粤东地区迁居而来的历史，也成为了盐灶村的“守护树”。
An aerial view shows the silver-leaf mangrove clusters in Baguang.
Long before the establishment of the nature school, community-led initiatives spearheaded by volunteers like Zhou Wei and Liu Yi had been ongoing for nearly two decades to protect the silver-leaf mangroves for nearly two decades. Their efforts brought attention to this unique ecosystem, paving the way for broader conservation actions.
在自然学校成立之前，数支来自民间的自发银叶林保护队伍对银叶林开展了长达近20年的保护工作。志愿者周炜、刘毅二人是这群人的先驱。面对约1500株银叶树，他们从各自的专业和兴趣出发，让这片伫立了500多年的半红树林被更多人认识了解。
Ou Wei (L), vice principal of Baguang Nature School, exchanges ideas with visiting foreign environmental experts during a tour of the mangrove park in Baguang.
Inspired by their dedication, individuals such as Li Zhengjun, Ma Haipeng, Wang Xiaoyong, Zhou Haochao and Du Cao either formed volunteer groups or joined volunteer teams that eventually expanded their reach across Shenzhen's coastline. These teams supported the protection of silver-leaf mangroves and other mangrove species, laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Baguang Nature School in 2020.
在周炜、刘毅的号召和影响下，李正军、马海鹏、王晓勇、周海超、杜操等人组建了或加入了志愿者队伍，足迹遍布深圳漫长的海岸线，持续推动深圳银叶林及其他红树林的保护工作。
Ma Haipeng (L), honorary vice principal of Baguang Nature School, chats with a child during a tour in Baguang.
Since its inception, the nature school has mobilized nearly 150 public volunteers and has transformed into a hub for nature education and collaborative conservation. The school's initiatives have evolved from public awareness campaigns to research-driven ecological restoration projects, addressing everything from individual tree rescues to large-scale habitat rehabilitation.
2020年，坝光自然学校成立，从民间保护者手中接过接力棒，招募近150名公众志愿者开展自然教育活动，成为聚合官方与民间自然保护力量平台，推动银叶林保护从科普到研究、从保护到种植，从单株抢救到生态修复，逐渐织就成一张完整有序的生态守护网。
Volunteers participate in a training session hosted by Baguang Nature School to learn about local ecology and conservation practices.
In 2023, the Baguang silver-leaf cluster was honored as one of China's "100 Most Beautiful Ancient Tree Groups," — the only mangrove ancient tree cluster recognized by the list.
2023年，坝光银叶树群成功入选全国“100个最美古树群”，成为全国唯一入选的红树林古树群。
Looking ahead, the Baguang Nature School aims to build on this momentum by attracting international volunteers and experts to further its conservation mission.
随着保护与生态修复的工作持续开展，坝光将持续吸引更多的志愿者及生态保护专业进一步提升其生态保护能力。
Liu Yi (L), honorary vice principal of Baguang Nature School, leads students in an outdoor activity at Baguang Nature School. Courtesy of Baguang Nature School.
WeChat Editors/Cynthia, Yunfei
