The Great Chunmei Dedicated to the Park

After Luo Chunmei spent 12 years in the school, Shennongjia Forestry District picked up the pace. At this point, Shennongjia National Nature Reserve invested more in the conservation of natural resources and the natural environment, requiring more well-educated and ambitious young people for the research and protection of this mysterious place. Under such a circumstance, Luo Chunmei was recruited to the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve in June 2000. When it came to March 2005, inspired by the interest in and passion for animals and plants, particularly insects, she was transferred to the Scientific Research Institute at the Reserve. Not long after that, she and Wu Feng were sent by the Reserve to receive over a month of training under the guidance of Zhou Hongzhang, a professor at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Once back at the Reserve, Luo Chunmei participated in the first major natural resources background survey which lasted for three years. Particularly, she was responsible for the section of insects and chaired the study of insects for the Institute. After catching sight of one lovely insect after another, she couldn't resist the curiosity and intended to figure out their secrets. But later she came to realize that the world of insects is way too big and complicated. Even if she had devoted her whole life, she couldn't understand a small part of it. That's why she has concentrated on the study of butterflies.

From her perspective, biodiversity researchers are supposed to choose their own specific fields and dedicate themselves to studying and revealing the mystery of creatures in the natural world. That's how they push forward applied disciplines and leverage the laws of nature to preserve Mother Nature. She expressed that the work in the Shennongjia National Park for over two decades has been the most valuable part of her life. The colleagues there are her friends and mentors. It is this experience that has transfigured her strength and passion and made her dreams come true.

In spite of her retirement, Luo Chunmei has remained concerned about the research on butterflies. “I'm assisting Wei Cong, a professional at Northwest A&F University, in capturing butterflies with the hope of new findings,” said Luo Chunmei, “Every year, the Shennongjia Forestry District witnesses the reactivation of many hairstreaks and white butterflies starting from late March, the most vigorous span of all butterflies from May to July, and the dominance of swallowtail butterflies with big sizes and the gradual disappearance of the rest since August. In short, butterflies can be seen throughout the whole year in the area. Even in the frozen bleakness, they can sometimes fly in the air as long as there is a little sunlight.” With these few words, she clearly summed up the regular routine of local butterflies.