On November 29, the Hongxu Habitat Garden in Changning District, Shanghai, celebrated its fifth anniversary. This garden is the first habitat project initiated by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The celebration was attended by representatives from Xianxia New Village Subdistrict, the Hongxu Community Committee, TNC, volunteers, local residents, and partners. Together, they marked the garden’s journey from its creation to its flourishing state today.

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The group photo at the event site. Image Source:TNC

The Hongxu Habitat Garden 1.0 was officially opened at the end of November 2019. Since then, it has recorded 26 species of birds, 3 species of mammals, 3 species of amphibians and reptiles, 27 species of pollinators, and 113 species of plants. In 2023, the garden was expanded and upgraded to Hongxu Habitat Garden 2.0, and the entire area was transformed to the Hongxu Habitat Neighborhood, becoming a true space where nature, art, and life coexist. Over 50 educational activities are held here each year in collaboration with nearby schools and businesses, demonstrating the sustainable operation and maintenance of habitat gardens.

Yu Linlin, Director of TNC Shanghai Program;Image Source: TNC

At the event, a commemorative stamp album celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Habitat Garden was also released. The stamp album, featuring photos of plants and animals provided by TNC, was jointly designed by the Hongxu Habitat Garden and the Changning District branch of China Post. It highlights the diverse plant and animal life within the garden.

Hongxu Habitat Garden Stamps; Image Source: Hongxu

TNC China Shanghai Program

The Shanghai Habitat Garden Program, launched in 2017, is part of TNC initiative to promote urban biodiversity conservation and restoration in Shanghai. In collaboration with local partners, the program aims to create multifunctional community gardens and green spaces that provide better habitats for urban wildlife. At the same time, it enhances the ecological quality of spaces for surrounding residents, seamlessly integrating nature into urban life. These gardens enrich biodiversity and create accessible natural spaces for the community. In November 2019, the first Habitat Garden was completed in the Hongxu Community in Changning District. In May 2020, the Hongxu Habitat Garden was recognized by the State Council as an exemplary case of “effective land-saving and efficient use with minimal idle land” in Changning District. In September 2023, the first Habitat Garden within a commercial complex was completed at Shanghai The Place. To date, 27 uniquely designed Habitat Gardens have been established in Changning District, Shanghai. In September 2024, the construction of Shanghai Pudong’s first Habitat Garden, the Habitat East Bund Project, was officially commenced.