A decade of cross-border protection: Safeguarding migratory swans and nurturing harmony between people and nature

As October's chill sweeps across Siberia, flocks of whooper swans spread their wings and embark on their long migration south, journeying thousands of kilometers toward their wintering grounds in Weihai, Shandong province.

Awaiting their arrival are the volunteers of the "Swan Guardians" team from the State Grid Weihai Power Supply Company, who are already at work along the coastlines of Yinghua Lake and Yandun Cape—traditional gathering sites for the migratory birds.With tools in hand, volunteers meticulously clear plastic waste and debris to ensure a clean, safe habitat. Onboard the mobile "Swan Bus," they distribute multilingual brochures to residents and tourists, sharing knowledge about the swans' migration and conservation efforts. Through their combined actions—cleaning habitats, spreading awareness, and fostering eco-friendly values—the volunteers are creating a welcoming home for these transnational guests.

A Chance Encounter that Sparked a Decade of Protection

This remarkable story began ten years ago with an act of compassion. In October 2015, during a routine inspection, employees Shi Jiadong and Li Weimin of the Haoyunjiao Power Supply Station discovered a whooper swan with a wing injury caused by an electric arc. They immediately took the bird to a local wildlife rescue center. The experience inspired them to propose insulating power lines near swan habitats to reduce the risk of electrocution. Their suggestion was quickly adopted by the Weihai Power Supply Company, which in January 2016 officially launched the "Blue Guardians" Volunteer Program—a long-term ecological initiative dedicated to protecting migratory swans and their habitats.

To enhance the program's precision and impact, the company collaborated with the local Natural Resources Bureau and the Swan National Nature Reserve to study migratory routes and habitat patterns. Together, they developed the "Swan Habitat Distribution Map", which identified ten key wintering zones and the power lines surrounding them. Based on this data, the company implemented 30.48 kilometers of line insulation and 5.4 kilometers of underground cabling, eliminating key safety hazards for the swans.

At the same time, the company integrated grid monitoring systems with drones, establishing a 24-hour aerial and ground surveillance network that ensures both grid safety and wildlife protection across the region.

From 30 to 635: The Growth of a Volunteer Force

Over the past decade, the "Blue Guardians" initiative has flourished. The organisation has established five swan protection stations and organized four volunteer teams, growing from 30 volunteers at the start to 635 today.

These volunteers not only protect the swans but also serve as advocates for environmental awareness. They have distributed over 14,000 multilingual brochures through campaigns like "Everyone Can Be a Bird Protector" and "Youth in Action for Wildlife."

They have delivered over 60 educational sessions in local schools under the "Power Rainbow Classroom" program, teaching children about bird migration, conservation, and electrical safety.

To strengthen their skills, volunteers undergo training at wetland and wildlife conservation centers, learning bird care, emergency rescue, and anti-poaching patrol methods. To date, they have successfully handled over 860 incidents, safeguarding the swans through both expertise and dedication.

Protecting Swans, Promoting Green Growth

Safeguarding the swans has also driven the transformation of Weihai's ecological landscape. Through the company's "One Enterprise, One Strategy" approach, local energy solutions have been tailored to balance environmental protection with community development.

So far, 146 power distribution stations have been upgraded, and 21,480 households have switched to clean heating systems, virtually eliminating coal-fired boilers in swan activity zones and dramatically improving local air quality.

The benefits are evident in Yandun Cape Village in Rongcheng's Lidao Town, known as "Swan Village." Thanks to clean energy reforms, the area has achieved a model of ecological and economic synergy. When villager Yu Haiyang opened his guesthouse in 2014, his annual income was only 30,000 yuan. Today, with electric heating replacing coal, a cleaner environment has attracted more tourists, boosting his annual income to 150,000 yuan in 2024.

In 2024, Yandun Cape Village was named one of the World's Best Tourism Villages, welcoming over 800,000 visitors during the migration season and generating 32 million yuan in tourism revenue—a vivid example of how protecting birds can also enrich lives.

A Vision of Harmony Across Borders

From the icy wetlands of Siberia to the tranquil bays of Weihai, the whooper swans' migration route tells a story of enduring care. Over ten years, the number of swans wintering in Weihai has grown from around 3,000 in 2004 to nearly 10,000 today.

Each winter, the sight of graceful white swans gliding above the sea, alongside volunteers in blue uniforms tending the shores, paints a moving picture of coexistence.

This decade-long, cross-border effort not only demonstrates China's commitment to biodiversity conservation, but also showcases how green development and ecological protection can thrive hand in hand—creating a future where both nature and humanity flourish together.