Breathtaking views are to be found everywhere at the Sheshan National Forest Park, which is home to 250 ancient trees of various species. [Photo/WeChat account: sheshanlvyou]
Sheshan National Forest Park – located in East China's Shanghai – is currently recruiting volunteers to patrol and safeguard its ancient trees, which are invaluable resources and the legacy of nature and history.
The park has 250 ancient trees of various species, including camphor trees, white oaks, beech, cork trees, ginkgos, camellias and osmanthus trees. They account for 57.3 percent of the total number in the local Songjiang district and 8.9 percent of the total number in Shanghai.
Of these, six are under first-class protection, 115 are under second-class protection and 129 are under third-class protection. These ancient trees have witnessed the changes in the Sheshan area over the centuries – and have great significance for the research of the animals, plants, soil, climate change and pest control there.
The park is looking for volunteers to cooperate with the professional staff in the daily inspection and maintenance of the ancient trees and to jointly preserve these living fossils.
The recruitment conditions are as follows:
> No gender restrictions;
> Aged 20-50 years old;
> Abide by the national laws and regulations, be enthusiastic about public welfare, not afraid of difficulties and have a spirit of dedication;
> Healthy, without chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension and infectious diseases and able to adapt to outdoor activities such as climbing;
> Have a high sense of social responsibility and participate in the ancient tree patrol volunteer service unconditionally;
> Understand the situation of the Sheshan area, have participated in a forest resource protection volunteer service or are familiar with forest resource protection professional knowledge.
The recruitment number is 10 people and the service period is from September 2023 to August 2024.
The patrol content includes:
> Supervising and caring about the growth of the ancient trees in the Sheshan National Forest Park;
> Observing the pest situation of the trees;
> Carrying out ecological protection publicity and education activities.
The patrol requirements are:
> Enter the park with the volunteer certificate during the park opening hours, abide by the park management regulations and conscientiously carry out patrol volunteer service work;
> During the patrol, record and check in the inspection results and promptly report to the staff management personnel if any problems are found with the trees;
> The patrol volunteer service period is one year and the patrol work is no less than four times a year, while it continues until the end of the patrol period.
The park will provide the following incentives and guarantees for the volunteers:
> Organize patrol volunteers to conduct relevant training, so that they can master the relevant knowledge of ancient tree management;
> Issue patrol volunteer certificates, which can be used to enter the Sheshan National Forest Park at no charge.
The registration method is:
> Fill in the ancient tree patrol volunteer registration form
> Registration time is from now until Sept 26
> Consultation phone: 021-57657231
