I am honored to have participated in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding’s Liang Mountain Giant Panda Reserves Environmental Educational Summer Camp Program. Six Chinese university students and three graduate students from the United States volunteered to organize two summer camps for local primary school students who live and study near giant panda nature reserves. The summer camps were designed to increase environmental and animal protection awareness in the students and through their enthusiasm, reach their parents and the wider community so as I to join together in conservation of the environment and habitats of giant pandas and other wildlife. The students1 excitement^ happiness, and satisfaction gained from the camp deeply impressed me. In order to provide them with the best summer camp, we held a meeting every night to discuss and summarize the effect of the whole day activities, to exchange ideas, and to prepare for the next day. Thanks to the program, I acquired not only a deep friendship with the students, but also the knowledge about environmental protection and conservation education.
In December of 2013, 1 became a volunteer for the Chengdu Panda Base again. My work consisted of conducting a questionnaire survey to get suggestions from both domestic and foreign tourists to aid in the design of a new panda museum. Each trip took a total of 4 hours between my school and the Chengdu Panda Base. Every time I felt discouraged, I was reminded that even my small efforts would contribute toward the wellbeing of pandas every moment was worth it.
I also enjoyed sending panda postcards to my friends in which I wrote about panda stories, animal conservation, and suggested that they visit the Chengdu Panda Base. Other animal protection activities like visiting the Chengdu Zoo, the Animal Asia Foundation Moon Bear Rescue Center, and the Home of Love, Companion Animal Rescue Centre took up a great amount of my time as well. I am now the Humane Education Club Coordinator for Ruby Animal Rescue, www.rubyanimalrescue.org or weibo.com/ruby animalrescue, where I am able to make my small contribution to educating and helping the environment, and stray dogs and cats here in China.
Thanks to all the volunteers at the Chengdu Panda Base in 2013.1 became interested in environmental protection, especially animal protection. In the future, I will continue to spread the words of giant panda conservation and call on more people to care about pandas and other animals.
