Conservation takes root among students

Beihu trip

A month later, on the afternoon of Sept 24, Beihu Park in downtown Kashgar became a hub of excitement as it welcomed a group of young "bird-seekers" — eager students from the Shen-Ta Junior High School and the No 18 Primary School in Kashgar, accompanied by their teachers.

Awaiting their arrival were experienced bird-watching guides, including Zhong Jia, co-founder of the Rosefinch Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting bird-watching and conservation. Alongside her were four participants from the Kashgar Bird-watching Race, an integral part of the "Journey of Mountains and Seas" project, ready to introduce the students to the art of birding.

The guides taught the students how to effectively use binoculars and telescopes and led them in small groups to explore the avian life in the park.

Before the activity started, Zhong explained that Gou Jun, one of the race judges and a seasoned organizer of bird surveys in the region, had recommended the 10 most common birds found in Kashgar. This list included species such as the common pheasant, hoopoe, mallard, and the Eurasian collared dove.

Volunteers from the Rosefinch Center, one of the co-organizers of the event, had prepared large-sized photographs of each species as visual aids for the students. "Before we began," Zhong said, "we familiarized them with these birds, encouraging them to identify and find these species in the park on their own."

With binoculars in hand, the students began eagerly searching for avian activity.

"It feels so good," said an excited Zalikarbek, one of the students. "I recognized red-billed gulls and common cormorants today. Being in nature is wonderful! It enriched my learning and broadened my horizons, making me more eager to explore."

Aike, another student, added that the activity had honed his observation and critical thinking skills, while instilling a deeper reverence for nature.

Zhang Jiaqi, a teacher from the school, praised the outdoor classroom as an excellent interdisciplinary practice, where students actively observed and inquired, sparking scientific curiosity.

"Guess how many species the students discovered during their two-hour tour," Zhong said. "The answer is 25, far beyond our expectations."