Source：Jia Yue/TNC

Standing on the bird-watching platform of Changxin Habitat Garden, gazing beyond the walls to the Lujiabang River, listening to the distant sounds of water and wind, and waiting for the occasional glide of water birds across the surface, these are the daily moments of pure joy for Zhou Qiyun, a resident of Jinhongyuan community in Shanghai Changning District.

Located in the Jinhongyuan community, Changxin Habitat Garden, officially opened to the public in August 2021, is one of the achievements of the Nature Conservancy (TNC) Shanghai Habitat Garden Project launched in 2017. Despite its modest size, Changxin Habitat Garden boasts a compact layout with diverse functionalities. It encompasses various spatial sections, including the Sunshine Assembly Hall, the Quirky Garden, the Plantation, the Dead Wood Playground, and the Changxin Secret Realm, among others, making it welcomed by neighboring community residents.

This wouldn’t be possible without the daily management and maintenance of Jinhongyuan residents' autonomous volunteer service team. Team leader Zhou Qiyun and other volunteers dedicate themselves to the meticulous care of every plant and tree in the garden, ensuring that it consistently radiates vibrant vitality.

Changxin Habitat Garden  Source: Dong Dazheng

First acquaintance with Habitat Garden

Three years ago, Zhou Qiyun heard that the community was going to build a Habitat Garden. Although he wasn’t entirely clear about the differences between a regular community garden and a Habitat Garden, he felt that "having more greenery at our doorstep is always a good thing."

Having lived in Jinhongyuan for nearly 30 years, Zhou Qiyun has personally witnessed the changes in the surrounding ecological environment. In the first few years, whenever it rained, the sound of frogs croaking created a cacophony that made it difficult to sleep. Later on, as urban development progressed, the croaking of frogs and the chirping of birds gradually faded away, and so did the fish swimming in the river. The former green landscapes were gradually replaced by vast expanses of gray buildings.

As a member of the Owners Committee of the community, Zhou Qiyun was involved in every aspect of the planning, design, and construction of Changxin Habitat Garden, and actively introduced Habitat Garden to community residents. "At first, many residents were puzzled and kept asking me, ‘What kind of garden is this? Why other gardens are full of colorful flowers while ours seem to have a wild overgrowth of weeds?’" It was in the process of seeking explanations to the queries that Zhou Qiyun developed a close and insightful connection with the staff of the TNC China Shanghai project team, where he gained a clearer understanding of the concept of Habitat Garden and biodiversity.

Interior view of Changxin Habitat Garden  Source: Volunteer Zou Zhaoyao

Through learning, Zhou Qiyun understood that the essence of a Habitat Garden lies in its focus on "habitat", that is, the garden is designed to serve as a habitat, providing living elements such as food source, water source, and shelter for wild animals. Habitat Gardens adhere to five fundamental principles: the use of native plants, elimination of invasive alien plants, enrichment of plant communities (including shrubs and grasses), reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and the provision of supplementary food, water, or shelter for urban wildlife.

Therefore, instead of prioritizing visual aesthetics, a Habitat Garden puts more emphasis on ecological functionality and practicality. As a practice to enrich urban biodiversity, Habitat Garden plays the role of improving the urban ecological environment and promoting the harmonious coexistence of man and nature. In the garden, the abundance of Shanghai’s native herbs, which may appear as “weeds” in a conventional garden, is no longer a surprising sight.

He passed on this new knowledge to his neighbors, and they gradually realized the special features of this small Habitat Garden at their doorstep and began to appreciate and cherish its unique "beauty".

"Finding pleasure" in volunteer services

Source: Jia Yue/TNC

Despite its small size, maintaining the various functions designed for each section of the Habitat Garden requires considerable effort every day. Zhou Qiyun often spends three to four hours on regular tasks such as pruning, watering, removing invasive plants, and inspecting facilities.

Looking back on his chance to become a volunteer, Zhou Qiyun admitted that "I just wanted to do something meaningful." After retiring, he spent a few years collecting calligraphy, painting, and coins; Later, every year he had to spend four or five months living abroad to accompany his children. The beautiful local ecological environment impressed him immensely. So when he heard that the Habitat Garden in his hometown was calling for volunteers to perform operational duties, he took the initiative to take on the responsibility that eventually became a fully committed "new career" for his retired life in which he found joy.

Since its opening more than two years ago, this small Habitat Garden has become a natural classroom for people in the neighborhood. Native plants in the Garden are thriving, attracting birds and other small animals to feed and rest, providing residents with opportunities to get close to nature and understand nature; TNC and its partners have invited experts to the Garden to deliver fresh and professional knowledge on nature to residents. By observing the flora and fauna, children have created many interesting handicrafts, adorning every corner of the Sunshine Hall in the Garden.

Bird Watching Platform   Source: Dong Dazheng

Bird Watching Platform   Source: Wu Jingbin

Zhou Qiyun often observes visitors to the Garden and recognizes the important impact of the natural environment on people. On one occasion, several volunteers invited autistic children to visit the Garden. The usually very reticent children began to communicate with others, making the volunteers and parents very delighted. Mischievous kids from the neighborhood also experienced a transformation, becoming more relaxed in this environment. Their parents, instead of preaching to their kids, joined them in exploring the wonders of nature in a carefree manner.

The Habitat Garden has also become a new emotional bond, showcasing the human touch of Shanghai. After an old gentleman fell ill, he entrusted his beloved mandarin tree to Zhou Qiyun, adding a new element to the Garden. Now, thanks to the joint efforts of volunteers, the mandarin tree is bearing rich fruits and has become a symbol of neighborhood friendship.

Looking forward to the establishment of a normal management mechanism

Source: Jia Yue/TNC

On May 22, 2023, on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Shanghai Habitat Cooperative Stewardship was officially established. As a volunteer representative, Zhou Qiyun participated in the panel discussion at the launching ceremony, an event that rendered him much encouragement.

Creating a Habitat Garden is an exploration by Changning District in carrying out biodiversity conservation in megacities. In November 2019, the first Habitat Garden was built in Hongxu Community, and by the end of 2023, the number of Habitat Gardens built in Shanghai Changning District will reach 24. However, the completion and opening are only a phased achievement, and only through continuous and effective operation and maintenance can the Habitat Gardens show their true value.

Source: Wu Jingbin / TNC

Managing Changxin Habitat Garden for more than two years, Zhou Qiyun candidly acknowledged that although the volunteers have devoted themselves to it, the shortage of personnel and insufficient funds are the two major stumbling blocks. Nowadays, the volunteers tend to be older individuals, making it unsuitable to engage in physically demanding tasks during hot and humid days. He suggested establishing a normalized management mechanism based on the Habitat Cooperative Stewardship. One or two young volunteers should be assigned to each Habitat Garden, and regular exchanges and learning sessions should be arranged for various Habitat Garden managers so that they can work collectively to address challenges. This will accumulate experiences for the sustainable operation of the Habitat Gardens.

"Seeing Habitat Gardens growing from nothing to something, garnering increasing attention and love from the people, I am delighted that I was able to make my contribution," Zhou said. "As protecting the ecological environment is everyone's responsibility, only through the continuous efforts of many generations can we make our homeland more beautiful."

TNC China Shanghai Project

Launched in 2017 as the Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Shanghai Conservation Program for Urban Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration, the Shanghai Habitat Garden Project is committed to working with partners to create multi-functional community gardens and green spaces. The goal is to provide more and better habitats for urban wildlife, while simultaneously improving the quality of ecological spaces for nearby residents, integrating nature into life with richer biodiversity, and creating a natural environment that people can easily connect with.

In November 2019, the first community Habitat Garden was built in Hongxu Community, Changning District. Recognized as one of the outstanding cases for "effective land conservation, intensive utilization, and minimal idle land" in Shanghai's Changning District, the Hongxu Habitat Garden received a commendation from the State Council in May 2020. By the end of 2023, 24 Habitat Gardens, each with a unique style, will be inaugurated in Changning District, Shanghai. In September 2023, Shanghai's first Habitat Garden in a commercial complex was completed in The Place, Shanghai.