Zhao Yajie, deputy director of the Monitoring Center at the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve, has dedicated herself to the protection of the ecologically significant region – situated in East China's Shandong province.
Zhao Yajie observes a bird in the nature reserve. [Photo/WeChat account: dysgqt]
Located in Dongying city in the province, the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve is one of the country's most important wetlands, serving as a critical habitat for rare migratory bird species.
After earning her doctorate, Zhao chose a life of environmental stewardship in the Yellow River Delta over the comforts of modern urban life.
For years, she has donned airtight rubber overalls and carried more than 10 kilograms of monitoring equipment to conduct fieldwork — observing and documenting bird migration patterns. Her footsteps have covered the reserve's vast 2.8 million square meters of wetland terrain.
Zhao's long-term efforts have borne fruit. Today, the reserve is home to over 10,000 Saunders's gulls – species under first-class state protection in China – making it the second-largest breeding ground for the species worldwide.
It also hosts seven species of cranes — 77 percent of all crane species found in China. What’s more, the reserve has become the world's second-biggest wintering site for Siberian cranes and the northernmost wintering habitat for red-crowned cranes.
Zhao Yajie always fully focuses on her important work. [Photo/WeChat account: dysgqt]
With over 11 years of experience in the reserve, Zhao continues to lead biodiversity monitoring and the development of intelligent protection systems in the area.
She's played a key role in building the reserve's intelligent management system and – together with her team – has helped establish an integrated digital monitoring platform covering land, sea and sky.
This innovation has significantly improved the efficiency of resource conservation and management within the reserve.
Constant watch: Zhao Yajie shows the reserve's all-in-one monitoring screen. [Photo/WeChat account: dysgqt]
To date, Zhao has published 24 academic papers and eight books and she has applied for three patents and nine software copyrights.
Driven by a deep sense of mission, she says she remains committed to protecting the wetlands and promoting harmony between humans and nature.
