Expats explore green wonder in Baguang

　　On Oct. 27, the event “Exploring Nature’s Beauty & Ancient Wonders in Baguang,” co-organized by the Shenzhen Municipal Science, Technology, and Innovation Bureau (Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Experts Affairs Bureau) and EyeShenzhen was held at Baguang Heritiera Wetland Park in the Dapeng New Area. The event was supported by Dapeng New District Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau, Dapeng New District Construction and Development Center of Key Areas and Baguang Nature School. A total of 12 expats from the U.S., France, Portugal, Sri Lanka, and other countries, escaped the bustling downtown to explore the looking-glass tree cluster in Baguang. 

　　Ou Wei, vice principal of Baguang Nature School, and other volunteers guided the expats into the dense mangrove forest. According to Ou, the silver-leaf is a valuable species of mangrove, and this ancient tree cluster plays a vital role in the mangrove ecosystem. In addition to silver-leaf trees, the forest is home to other notable species, including Avicennia marina, Kandelia obovata, Acanthus ilicifolius, Excoecaria agallocha, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza.

　　Volunteers Huang Guo, Du Cao and Sun Pingnyu also introduced the Yanzao Village — a 300-year-old Hakka settlement. The expats listened intently to the volunteers’ explanations about park’s history, various plant species and the intricacies of the mangrove ecosystem.

　　Ana Gouveia, an assistant professor at the Institute of Environment and Ecology at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, has visited mangrove forests in places like Indonesia and Futian District. She noted that this was her first time seeing looking-glass trees with part of their roots exposed above ground.

　　“The volunteers are professional and knowledgeable,” she remarked, acknowledging their commitment to protecting the area and raising awareness among visitors.

　　Salindra Dayananda, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Environment and Ecology at Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, brought a notebook to record the species he observed. “So far, in one hour, I’ve seen 12 butterflies and 12 birds, including kingfishers and egrets, and other small creatures like crabs,” Dayananda said.

　　Dayananda, a researcher from Sri Lanka, focuses on birds and butterflies. He mentioned that the journey to this remote area from the city center could inspire his research and help him identify the factors influencing biodiversity in urban environments.

　　Maria Monteiro, a French teacher from Shekou International School, expressed that the mangrove forest allowed her to perceive the communication among plants and the continuity of life. Highlighting the importance of nature education for children, she said, “We are part of nature. We can find all the solutions in nature, even to guide our own lives.”

　　In 2023, the ancient looking-glass mangrove cluster in Baguang was selected as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Ancient Tree Clusters in China, and it is the only mangrove cluster included on the national list. It was also recognized as one of the 10 Most Beautiful Ancient Tree Clusters in Guangdong Province in 2022.

　　Ancient trees, regarded as natural and cultural heritage, are believed to hold significant ecological, historical, cultural, scientific, and economic value. Shenzhen places great importance on protecting ancient trees and has released a series of measures and documents to regulate their conservation. 

　　Baguang Nature School, founded in 2020, is one of seven national nature schools in Shenzhen certified by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. It has become a vital hub for environmental education and awareness. 

　　The Shenzhen Municipal Foreign Experts Affairs Bureau hopes that the event will help expats learn more about the city’s livable and work-friendly environment. It aims to assist high-caliber expats in Shenzhen in adapting to the local community and enjoying considerate services. In the future, the bureau plans to take measures for foreign expats to enhance convenience and encourage expat talent in their entrepreneurial, innovative, and creative pursuits in Shenzhen.