Passion for plants flowers into expertise

In 2015, he was invited to teach a group of primary students to identify plants at a nature education summer camp in Guanmenshan and later began helping college students with field studies. He also teaches them to identify plants and prepare specimens.

"Many colleges work with our park," Tan said. "So I was allowed to do this as part of my job."

He can earn an extra 2,000 yuan a week as an instructor.

Last year, he earned his associate's degree via an online course, and he plans to continue his studies at college, as a teacher at the South-Central Minzu University in Wuhan has agreed to be his postgraduate tutor if he is able to pass his postgraduate entrance examination.

"But English and biochemistry are just too difficult for me," he said.

Living in an apartment bought for him in Muyu with his mother, a retired road maintenance worker, Tan spends most of his spare time on his passion for Shennongjia's plants.

Many residents consider him a local plant expert, but Du still feels that the local government is indifferent to homegrown talent like Tan.

"His work includes cleaning the scenic area and patrolling the park," Du said.

"To be honest, that's a waste of talent. But I have encouraged him to continue his studies and to believe in himself."

chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn