From August 14 to 21, 2025, the Ningxia Forest Survey organized by Shanghai Roots & Shoots was successfully conducted in the Baijitan National Nature Reserve. A team of 11 volunteers and staff surveyed nine afforested sites for seven days, recording a total of more than 50,000 plants of over 20 species. The team was also honored to have the guidance of Mr. Shou Haiyang from the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden.
The survey adopted a random sampling method, using 100-square-meter grids as sample plots to monitor the growth of shrubs and natural vegetation succession. A fun part is that balloons were used this year to mark plot boundaries for better identification.
Despite the repetitive work, volunteers gained new knowledge and experiences all the time. Some survey sites required long-time hikes or even mountain climbs, quite physically challenging. Different forest plots displayed varying landscapes, with unique desert plants like Haloxylon ammodendron and Atraphaxis bracteata impressing the volunteers.
One volunteer, who had participated in Ningxia program five years earlier, was so moved to see the shrubs they had planted thrive on the once barren sandy land: "In just five years, seeds became shrubs, and barren land turned green. Individual efforts matter—when we act, seeds truly take root." We hope to witness more victories in the battle against desertification.
Special thanks go to the volunteers, Mr. Shou Haiyang from the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, and the Baijitan Nature Reserve for their support!