“We are part of the animal kingdom, not separated from it.” This quote by Dr. Jane Goodall was something I had already come across while preparing lesson materials as a volunteer mentor. Yet it was not until early July, when I set foot in Guangzhou to take part in the ecological-themed YES CAMP organized by Shanghai Roots & Shoots, that I truly came to understand its meaning — not by simply reading it, but by stepping into it. Over four days and three nights, we immersed ourselves in nature in this vibrant city. The experience left me with more memories than words can fully capture, so I have chosen to revisit this journey through three plants we encountered along the way.
Kapok: Fiery Blossoms, Gentle Whispers
The first plant must be the kapok, Guangzhou’s city flower. It can be seen throughout the city — in Guangzhou Zoo, the South China National Botanical Garden, and even along the streets and alleyways. Locals call it the “Hero Tree,” praising the way it blooms boldly toward the sun and falls quietly, without a sound. On this journey, the true “heroes” in my eyes were my passionate fellows. Heroism showed itself in small, thoughtful scenes: a hand reaching out with insect repellent, the willingness to share resources and itineraries, and the open, generous discussions during sharing sessions. From teaching approaches for children with special needs, to systematic curriculum design, to the seamless collaboration between partners—every question raised was met with enthusiastic and thoughtful responses.
More moving than this shared warmth were the young campers’ own reflections. From initial shyness and nervousness, they gradually opened up with encouragement, expressing their understanding of nature in their soft, youthful voices. Their words were simple and sincere, blooming without reservation like kapok flowers on the branches — this is nature in its most vivid form. If warmth had a shape, it might resemble a kapok flower: bold and radiant from far away, yet light and almost silent when it falls gently by your side.
Victoria Amazonica: Floating Leaves, Holding a World
If warmth is the undertone of this journey, then hands-on practice is its most vivid stroke. This summer camp was filled with collaborative, creative activities, and two in particular left a deep impression on me: making enrichment toys for primates at Guangzhou Zoo, and crafting rain sticks at the South China National Botanical Garden. If I had to choose a plant to represent these experiences, the Victoria Amazonica immediately comes to mind.
When I first saw it in the botanical garden, the sign explained that its leaves can support something as light as a dragonfly — or even hold the weight of a baby. I remember thinking: isn’t this just like the enrichment toys we made? Everyone approached the task differently. Some built a wooden capsule gashapon machine, others created long, durable rope toys, while some carefully crafted and drilled wooden boxes — only for them to be completely destroyed within three minutes of being placed in the enclosure. With my rather limited crafting skills, I could hardly compete with the others in terms of structure, so with Ray’s help, I focused more on the appearance instead. Still, watching the primates in the Guangzhou Zoo explore and interact with the toys we made brought an undeniable sense of joy.
If the enrichment toys represent diversity in form, then making rain sticks at the botanical garden expresses variation in sound. A few pebbles, a handful of red beans, sealed at both ends — give it a shake, and it becomes the sound of rain. The red beans produce a softer, duller tone, while the pebbles create a crisper sound. Together, they echo like pearls of different sizes falling onto a jade plate.
Miracle Fruit: Sour at First Bite, Sweetness Follows
Beyond what we created with our own hands, nature also generously revealed the surprises it had prepared for us. During our night walk at Guangzhou Zoo, we had to watch our steps for the giant African land snail (Achatina Fulica). At the Shennong Cottage Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum, we encountered the upas tree (Antiaris toxicaria Lesch.), a plant that can both poison and heal. And there was the paperbark tree (Melaleuca), whose bark can be peeled off and used for writing. At first, I struggled to find a way to make sense of these encounters. It was not until I heard the guide introduce the miracle fruit at the South China National Botanical Garden that everything suddenly clicked. True to its name, it can temporarily alter our sense of taste, making everything we eat taste sweet. Its unremarkable appearance conceals such a remarkable effect — something I found truly astonishing. Isn’t this the very essence of nature? Things that may seem strange, unappealing, or even a little intimidating at first glance reveal an entirely different beauty when we take a closer look.
This brings the stories of the three plants to an end. Looking back on the four days and three nights of YES CAMP in Guangzhou in early July, I did not encounter anything particularly extraordinary—just plants, animals, and the many small lives of nature. Yet through them, I gradually came to understand Dr. Jane Goodall’s words, “We must realize that we humans are not separate from the natural world.” Perhaps this is the “secret” of education for sustainable development — it only requires us to step in, and let nature reveal its truths to us, in its own time and in its own way.
——Author：2026 YES Camper Yunhao Tao
Background Introduction: YES CAMP
YES CAMP was created to recognize, inspire, and bring together a community of dedicated volunteers who have long contributed their time, energy, and ideas to Roots & Shoots. Since 2010, the program has been held annually, inviting outstanding volunteers, core mentors, and student leaders to visit nonprofit organizations and institutions across China that are committed to public welfare. Through in-depth, face-to-face exchanges and immersive learning experiences, participants connect with like-minded peers and grow through shared dialogue and reflection. More importantly, the program aims to foster lasting connections that spark new ideas and collaborations in sustainable development, transforming passion into meaningful and lasting social impact.
From July 5 to 8, 2026, the four-day, three-nights YES CAMP themed “Endless Apes” was successfully held in Guangzhou. A total of 29 participants came together to visit the Guangzhou Zoo, the South China National Botanical Garden, and the Shennong Cottage Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum. The camp featured a diverse range of engaging and content-rich activities: designing and creating enrichment tools for primates at Guangzhou Zoo; exploring plant survivial strategies at the botanical garden; and discovering the intricate connections between traditional Chinese medicine and biodiversity at Shennong Caotang. Through these immersive experiences, participants explored multiple pathways for education in sustainable development, while gaining new insights and building meaningful connections through collaboration.
Special Thanks: Guangzhou Zoo; South China National Botanical Garden; Shennong Cottage Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum; Applied Materials China