On July 30, 2025, He Dejing of Shennongjia National Park’s Yunpan Management & Conservation Center observed a slender-billed bird on the center’s grassy slope at around 1 p.m. After photographing the sighting and sharing photos with colleagues, park researchers confirmed it the following day as a Little Curlew - the species’ first official record in Shennongjia.
In recent years, Shennongjia Forestry District has integrated the protection of rare and endangered plants with industrial development, forging a path that unifies ecological, social, and economic benefits. This approach has breathed new life into these precious species.
At the greenhouse of the Biodiversity Conservation Research Laboratory in Shennongjia National Park, Jiang Zhiguo, the lab director, carefully observed the growth of Berchemiella wilsonii and cleared surrounding weeds and dead leaves.
Nestled in the heart of Hubei Province, China’s Shennongjia National Park has become a beacon of hope for conservationists, nature lovers and those dedicated to restoring the delicate balance of ecosystems.