In 2015, the Shanghai Roots & Shoots Million Tree Project (MTP) reached a major turning point with the launch of its Ningxia Desertification Control Project. In the same year, MTP partnered with the Ningxia Lingwu Baijitan National Nature Reserve to plant the first forest together. Although the site presented extremely challenging growing conditions, it quickly demonstrated remarkable results in stabilizing sand dunes and restoring degraded land. In 2017, MTP expanded its collaboration with the Baijitan Reserve, and that partnership has continued ever since. Over the past decade, the project has steadily taken root in Baijitan. By the end of 2025, MTP had restored a total of 713 hectares of desertified land within the reserve and planted over 2.14 million shrubs.确定？编辑Left: Baijitan National Nature Reserve in 2015; Right: Baijitan National Nature Reserve in 2026From August 25 to September 6, 2026, 109 volunteers from 10 companies gathered at the Baijitan Reserve to participate in the 2026 Ningxia Eco-Trip. This year’s restoration work focused on wind-erosion windows within MTP’ earlier afforestation sites. A wind-erosion window is a term used in desertification control to describe exposed patches that form on the crests of restored sand dunes. Because wind speeds are strongest at the top of a dune, these areas are especially vulnerable to erosion. Once vegetation is stripped away, the exposed patch can spread outward like an open “window”, allowing desertification to re-enter the surrounding restored land. After years of continuous restoration, large bare dunes have almost disappeared from the reserve. As a result, these newly-formed wind-erosion windows have become the next priority in protecting and maintaining the restored forest. 确定？编辑Left: Volunteers constructing straw grids on the top of sand dunes; Right: Volunteers carrying straw through blooming Hedysarum scoparium shrubsSurrounded by blooming Hedysarum scoparium shrubs, volunteers worked across the exposed dune tops, laying straw grid after straw grid until the wind-erosion windows were fully covered. When rain arrived, the work shifted from straw grids to sowing Caragana korshinskii seeds. With the moisture provided by the rainfall, these seeds can quickly germinate in the sandy soil, giving new life to the restored landscape.确定？编辑Left: Volunteers constructing straw grids; Right: Volunteers sowing seeds in the rain
Caragana korshinskii seedlings emerging just one week after sowingLater, volunteers visited the MTP 2022 Forest for a nature exploration activity. Four years after planting, the site has undergone a remarkable transformation. The level of desertification has been significantly reduced, while vegetation coverage and the diversity of herbaceous plants have both increased noticeably. Guided by Shanghai Roots & Shoots staff, volunteers learned how restored desert ecosystem recover over time.
Shanghai Roots & Shoots staff introducing the forestVolunteers participating in the nature detective gameGreen moss flourishing in the 2022 Forest after rainVolunteers also visited the Baijitan Desertification Control Exhibition Hall and watched a documentary about Wang Youde, whose lifelong dedication to fighting desertification helped transform Baijitan. His story left a lasting impression on many participants. The learning continued through interactive workshops on biodiversity and desertification collage, where volunteers gained rich knowledge in a fun way.Volunteers watching the Baijitan Reserve documentaryVolunteers participating in the Biodiversity WorkshopVolunteers participating in the Desertification Collage WorkshopA decade of sand control efforts have brought a visible response from the land. This year’s activity took place beside MTP’s very first Forest, planted in 2015. During breaks from work, volunteers could look across the landscape and see two moments in time at once: the once-barren dunes restored over the past decade, and the newly protected dunes they were working on today, which may look just as green ten years from now. It was a dialogue spanning a decade, unfolding in the hear of Maowusu Sandy Land. We extend our sincere gratitude to all companies, schools, and individuals who have supported and donated to the MTP Ningxia Project over the past ten years. Together, we have witnessed the change. We look forward to joining hands with even more people in protecting and restoring Baijitan the decades ahead.Volunteers constructing straw grids with the thriving 2015 Forest in the backgroundOriginal view of the 2015 Forest, taken in July 2015Aerial view of the 2015 Forest, taken in August 2026The MTP 2026 Ningxia Forest Plaque
Left: Baijitan National Nature Reserve in 2015; Right: Baijitan National Nature Reserve in 2026
From August 25 to September 6, 2026, 109 volunteers from 10 companies gathered at the Baijitan Reserve to participate in the 2026 Ningxia Eco-Trip. This year’s restoration work focused on wind-erosion windows within MTP’ earlier afforestation sites. A wind-erosion window is a term used in desertification control to describe exposed patches that form on the crests of restored sand dunes. Because wind speeds are strongest at the top of a dune, these areas are especially vulnerable to erosion. Once vegetation is stripped away, the exposed patch can spread outward like an open “window”, allowing desertification to re-enter the surrounding restored land. After years of continuous restoration, large bare dunes have almost disappeared from the reserve. As a result, these newly-formed wind-erosion windows have become the next priority in protecting and maintaining the restored forest.
Left: Volunteers constructing straw grids on the top of sand dunes; Right: Volunteers carrying straw through blooming Hedysarum scoparium shrubs
Surrounded by blooming Hedysarum scoparium shrubs, volunteers worked across the exposed dune tops, laying straw grid after straw grid until the wind-erosion windows were fully covered. When rain arrived, the work shifted from straw grids to sowing Caragana korshinskii seeds. With the moisture provided by the rainfall, these seeds can quickly germinate in the sandy soil, giving new life to the restored landscape.
Left: Volunteers constructing straw grids; Right: Volunteers sowing seeds in the rain
Caragana korshinskii seedlings emerging just one week after sowing
Later, volunteers visited the MTP 2022 Forest for a nature exploration activity. Four years after planting, the site has undergone a remarkable transformation. The level of desertification has been significantly reduced, while vegetation coverage and the diversity of herbaceous plants have both increased noticeably. Guided by Shanghai Roots & Shoots staff, volunteers learned how restored desert ecosystem recover over time.
Left: Shanghai Roots & Shoots staff introducing the forest; Right: Volunteers participating in the nature detective game
Green moss flourishing in the 2022 Forest after rain
Volunteers also visited the Baijitan Desertification Control Exhibition Hall and watched a documentary about Wang Youde, whose lifelong dedication to fighting desertification helped transform Baijitan. His story left a lasting impression on many participants. The learning continued through interactive workshops on biodiversity and desertification collage, where volunteers gained rich knowledge in a fun way.
Volunteers watching the Baijitan Reserve documentary
Left: Volunteers participating in the Biodiversity Workshop; Right: Volunteers participating in the Desertification Collage Workshop
A decade of sand control efforts have brought a visible response from the land. This year’s activity took place beside MTP’s very first Forest, planted in 2015. During breaks from work, volunteers could look across the landscape and see two moments in time at once: the once-barren dunes restored over the past decade, and the newly protected dunes they were working on today, which may look just as green ten years from now. It was a dialogue spanning a decade, unfolding in the hear of Maowusu Sandy Land. We extend our sincere gratitude to all companies, schools, and individuals who have supported and donated to the MTP Ningxia Project over the past ten years. Together, we have witnessed the change. We look forward to joining hands with even more people in protecting and restoring Baijitan the decades ahead.
Volunteers constructing straw grids with the thriving 2015 Forest in the background
Left: Original view of the 2015 Forest, taken in July 2015; Right: Aerial view of the 2015 Forest, taken in August 2026
The MTP 2026 Ningxia Forest Plaque