Shandong Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve ; Image Source: TNC

On November 12th,the 2nd International Bird Watching Season at Yellow River Estuary themed“Along the Yellow River to Meet the Sea” was launched in Dongying, Shandong.  On the same day at the event, the Nature Conservancy (TNC)  and the Management Committee of the Shandong Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve signed a memorandum of cooperation. The two parties outlined their intention to collaborate on international wetland conservation efforts in the Yellow River Delta region of Dongying over the next three years.

Both parties signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.

Image source:TNC

At the signing ceremony, Lv Juan Zhang, Deputy Director of the Management Committee of the Shandong Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve, emphasized that the goal of this collaboration is to improve the health of the Yellow River Estuary ecosystem, boost regional biodiversity, and strengthen the area’s resilience to climate change. To achieve this, the two sides will first work together to develop a wetland conservation strategy and identify priority actions for the Yellow River Delta, providing a foundation for decision-making in the development of the Yellow River Estuary National Park. Additionally, they will support the Shandong Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in advancing the creation of the Yellow River Estuary National Park, establishing a model for the protection of peripheral areas in other national parks.

Dr.Zhang Xiaoquan made a speech. Image source:TNC

Besides, Dr. Zhang Xiaoquan, Chief Scientist of TNC China Program, made a speech and stated  that the signing of this memorandum of cooperation marks the beginning of a long-term, stable partnership between the two parties. Together, the two sides will focus on biodiversity conservation, tackling climate change, and advancing the innovative development of socially-driven protected areas. By combining their respective strengths and working in close collaboration, both sides aim to explore new models and approaches for natural conservation in the Yellow River Delta, providing valuable, replicable, and scalable insights that can contribute to the development of China’s national park system.

The Yellow River Delta Wetland, located in Dongying City, Shandong Province, is the largest, most intact, and youngest wetland ecosystem in China’s warm temperate zone. It is a quintessential example of estuarine wetland ecosystems worldwide and serves as a vital stopover, wintering ground, and breeding site for millions of migratory waterfowl. Established as a national nature reserve in 1992 by the State Council, the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve is a core of the forthcoming Yellow River Estuary National Park and a key element of the “National Strategy for Ecological Protection and High-Quality Development of the Yellow River Basin.” The current total protected area of the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve is 153000 hectares(378071 acres), including 113100 hectares(279476 acres) of wetland area; After the completion of the national park in the future, the total protected area will be expanded to 352300 hectares(870552 acres). The conservation and restoration of this region’s ecological environment, including wetlands, lakes, and estuarine delta areas, are crucial for safeguarding the East Asia-Australasia migratory flyway and the West Pacific migratory route.

As an international conservation organization grounded in science and innovative practices, TNC brings over 70 years of expertise in combining scientific research with practical conservation efforts. With advanced conservation strategies and extensive experience, TNC is partnering with the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve to help elevate the ecological protection of the Yellow River Estuary. Together, the two sides aim to enhance the region’s ecological restoration capabilities and contribute to the development of the Yellow River Estuary National Park.