A meeting with the theme of  "biodiversity monitoring and conservation under the circumstances of COP 15” was held at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) from November 21-23. The meeting was co-organized by XTBG and Yunnan Forestry and Grassland Administration, which was attended by representatives from 6 local nature reserve administrations and XTBG. 

“From establishing Ailaoshan subtropical ecosystem station at Xujiaba in 1980 to promoting integrated scientific expeditions in Ailao Mountains to Wuliang national parks in 2019, XTBG has carried out many effective cooperation projects with nature reserve administrations. There remain and wider and deeper potentials”, said Mr. Qian Rongfa from Yunnan Forestry and Grassland Administration. 

“XTBG would like to provide continuous scientific support for nature reserves and national parks in Yunnan, so as to support biodiversity monitoring, environmental education and nature experiences under the premise of effective conservation”, said Prof. Chen Jin, director of XTBG. 

XTBG and Yunnan Forestry and Grassland Administration would like to carry out cross-institutional cooperation in delivering conservation action. The two sides will focus on new species discovery, establishing nature reserves union, and strengthening environmental education, cultural and creative product industry, etc. 

In 2020, XTBG and the 6 local nature reserve administrations will mainly put joint efforts to complete comprehensive scientific expeditions in Xishuangbanna national nature reserve and get investigation report published. An online query system for plant specimens is expected to be established at the Herbarium of XTBG.  

Moreover, they will apply for funds to conduct survey of species of extremely small population of wild plants or animals, to gradually make clear resource status of national conservation plants or animals in nature reserves. 

Staff at local nature reservation administrations will be provided chances to participate in trainings on environmental education and field investigations hosted by XTBG. 

A mechanism of news release conference concerning new species discovery is also expected to be established. 

XTBG will work more closely with nature reserve administrations to protect precious biodiversity resources in Yunnan and practice the notion of “green water and green hills are gold and silver mountains”. 

Mr. Qian Rongfa from Yunnan Forestry and Grassland Administration speaks. 

Prof. Chen Jin expects deeper and wider cooperation with nature reserve administrations. 

The meeting. 

Participants pose a photo. 

XTBG and 6 nature reserve adminsitrations sign meeting minutes.