Local, intl. students adopt mangrove saplings for nature conservation

Students from Shekou International School (SIS) learned about mangrove conservation in the city and adopted mangrove saplings in an exchange program with OCT Primary School in Nanshan District at a ceremony Thursday.

Under the exchange program, the students from SIS will record the growth of the saplings, visit Shenzhen National Mangrove Park, and plant the saplings at the nature reserve.

At the launch ceremony, Bai Xuefeng, headmaster of OCT Primary School, introduced the significance of mangrove conservation and wetlands to birds and humans. Through immersive learning, students will become more aware of ecological protection.

Van Rooyen, a teacher from South Africa, lectured on the mangrove conservation situation in African countries and the role of mangroves in maintaining biological diversity and water purification.

During their visit to OCT Primary School, Jennifer Magierowicz, upper primary assistant principal of SIS, was impressed with the ecological protection practices at the school and expressed a desire for more opportunities to engage in exchanges with Chinese schools and local communities.

OCT Primary School, with greenery coverage reaching 84%, is renowned for its ecological preservation efforts. The school is a model institution that has earned the Green Campus title and is the first school in Southeast Asia to be awarded the green flag for ecological protection by UNESCO.

Jennifer Magierowicz, upper primary assistant principal of SIS, hands out mangrove saplings to students during an exchange program with OCT Primary School in Nanshan District on Thursday. Photos courtesy of the schools

Bai Xuefeng, headmaster of OCT Primary School, and Jennifer Magierowicz, upper primary assistant principal of SIS, get ready for handing out mangrove saplings to students at a mangrove sapling adoption ceremony Thursday.

Bai Xuefeng (L), headmaster of OCT Primary School, and Jennifer Magierowicz, upper primary assistant principal of SIS, pose for a photo with the flags of the two schools at the event.

Bai Xuefeng, headmaster of OCT Primary School, and Jennifer Magierowicz, upper primary assistant principal of SIS, pose for a photo with students from the two schools at the event.

Van Rooyen, a teacher from South Africa, interacts with students during the event.

Students pose for a photo at he event.

Students from the two schools learn about mangrove saplings at the event. 

Van Rooyen, a teacher from South Africa, gives a speech at the event.

Students and teachers pose for a group photo at the event.