As identified in the Blueprint on Coastal Wetlands, public awareness, participation, and support are particularly vital for the conservation of coastal wetlands. In September 2018, the Paulson Institute and the Shenzhen Mangrove Wetland Conservation Foundation jointly initiated the China Coastal Wetland Education Center Project to engage the public and provide systematic education on nature, so as to mobilize public support for the conservation and sustainable use of coastal wetlands.
The China Coastal Wetland Conservation Network Wetland Education Center project is supporting the development of 3-5 demonstration wetland education centers with a view to expanding and replicating their experience to other wetland protected areas in China. Ultimately, the project will establish a network of Chinese wetland education centers, supported by the professional development of education on China’s coastal wetlands, laying the foundation for public support of, and participation in, coastal wetland conservation.
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Key activities to date
- Analyze the status of existing education centers
An initial quantitative survey of existing wetland education centers was conducted to obtain baseline information on the current status and needs of wetland education centers in coastal nature reserves/wetland parks.
- Establish 3-5 demonstration wetland education centers
Beidaihe National Wetland Park in Hebei Province, Yancheng Rare Birds National Nature Reserve in Jiangsu Province, and Wuyuanhe National Wetland Park in Hainan Province have been selected as the demonstration education centers.
- Develop guidelines for wetland education centers in China
Guidelines, drawing on international good practices, have been drafted for the establishment and operation of Wetland Education Centers in China.
- Provide professional training and capacity building
The project organized a study tour to well-managed wetland education centers in South Korea for key personnel from the three selected demonstration education centers in April 2019. Three training courses for wetland education centers have been held for improving staff’s capacity to implement the plans and operate the centers.
- Establish a professional network
The project will establish a professional network of exchanges and communication for wetland education centers and provide support for the establishment of wetland education centers.
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