A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) and Discover Life in America (DLIA) on January 11. As representatives of the two sides, Prof. Chen Jin, director of XTBG, and Dr. Todd P. Witcher, executive director of DLIA signed the MoU at XTBG.

According to the MoU, the two institutions (XTBG and DLIA) will establish specific collaborative actions, in order to significantly contribute to the development of education, training and research programs.

A model All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) site will be established at XTBG, in support of the E.O.Wilson Biodiversity Foundation’s (EOWBF) Half-Earth project of which Global Biodiversity Census is a part.

Cooperation between the two sides will be implemented by information exchange, reciprocal visits by DLIA and XTBG staff, and a scientific exchange program oriented to participatory citizen science, comprehensive biodiversity inventory, taxonomic expertise exchange, and conservation and sustainable use of resources.

The visit of the DLIA delegation was at the invitation of Prof. Cao Min. during their stay at XTBG, a workshop on citizen science was held, which attracted scientists and students.

XTBG and DLIA had discussion on biodiversity inventory, environmental education, and how to put joint efforts to establish All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) at XTBG, etc.

After the signing ceremony, Dr. Todd P. Witcher presented a book named Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life to XTBG, entrusted by Prof. Edward O. Wilson, author of the book and a renowned biologist.

Workshop on citizen science 

Prof. Chen Jin and Dr.Todd P. Witcher sign MoU 

DLIA delegation and XTBG scientists pose a photo

The book presented by Prof. Edward O. Wilson