Exploring the insect world, protecting our ecological home: Huaihua launches biodiversity day event for students
May 22nd this year marked the 26th International Biodiversity Day. On May 23rd, the themed public activity titled "Exploring the Insect World, Protecting Biodiversity"—a special initiative for primary and secondary school students in Huaihua focusing on insect research and conservation—was held at the Hunan Zhongpo National Forest Park.
The event was organized by the Huaihua Forestry Bureau, the Municipal Forestry Society, and the Municipal Wildlife Conservation Association, and hosted by Huaihua Tongxue Outdoor Education and the Hunan Zhongpo National Forest Park Management Office. Through popular science activities, the event aimed to support scientific inquiry projects in primary and secondary schools across the city, encouraging young people to connect with nature and protect biodiversity.
Huaihua boasts picturesque landscapes, vibrant ecosystems, and remarkably rich species resources. As a key component of the 2026 Huaihua Primary and Secondary School Science Inquiry Program, this event was closely aligned with the specific theme of "Research and Conservation of Insects in Huaihua." It adopted a lightweight model of "popular science + outdoor exploration + simple hands‑on activities" to provide immersive nature education for students.
The event included segments such as an insect science exhibition, project explanation sessions, field observation and recording activities, and a specimen-making experience. It also specially invited senior insect experts and senior engineers from Huaihua to interact with the students face‑to‑face, addressing their questions about observations and research.
In the popular science lecture area, experts drew upon Huaihua’s local ecological environment to vividly explain the species characteristics, living habits, and ecological roles of common insects in Zhongpo Mountain and the wider Huaihua area, such as butterflies, beetles, ants, and bees. They also guided students in clarifying their research directions, teaching them how to photograph insects, record environmental data, and organize their observation findings.
Afterward, the students, divided into small groups, entered designated exploration areas within the park. With activity guides in hand and guided by staff, they observed and recorded the morphology and behaviors of two to three local insect species. Experts accompanied them throughout, assisting in identifying common insects and advising caution around potentially toxic species like stinging caterpillars and tussock moths. Once the field session concluded, each group briefly shared their observations, and the experts provided comments and helped refine their research approach.
It is reported that beginning this year, Huaihua City will launch an annual scientific inquiry project for primary and secondary schools. The 2026 project is titled "Research and Conservation of Insects in Huaihua," and is divided into elementary, junior high, and senior high school categories. Students are encouraged to study one or more insect species, investigating their life habits, distribution patterns, relationship with the environment, and conservation measures.
Tiny insects carry a grand picture of the ecosystem. The activity not only laid a solid foundation for students to complete their project research but also sparked their interest in exploring nature. Through up‑close encounters with local species, the students deepened their understanding of their hometown’s ecology and fostered an environmental mindset that respects life and protects nature. Moving forward, the Municipal Forestry Bureau will continue to enrich the forms of nature‑focused science outreach, guiding more young people to actively engage in ecological conservation and work together to protect Huaihua’s vibrant landscapes and rich biological resources.
(Translated by Feng Tao)