Chongqing - The Land and Sea Promise: International Youth Innovation Initiative kicked off its first phase of activities on March 22 and 23. 

It featured three projects: Handmade Trail, A Thousand Feathers, A Thousand Sturgeons, and Barrier-Free City Walk. These initiatives brought together young volunteers from around the world to contribute to environmental conservation and social inclusivity in Chongqing.

Handmade trail: a natural path for fireflies

On March 22, a group of international volunteers from Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nigeria, and other countries gathered at Nanshan Botanical Garden to build a sustainable hiking trail. Using only natural materials—carrying stones, leveling paths with shovels, and constructing steps by hand—they created an eco-friendly pathway designed to protect firefly habitats.

On March 22, a group of international volunteers from Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nigeria, and other countries gathered at Nanshan Botanical Garden to build a sustainable hiking trail. (Photo/Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation)

"This was my first time doing such work—carrying stones was exhausting, but walking on the trail we built feels incredibly rewarding," said a volunteer from Nigeria. "We learned that conservation isn't just about big animals and plants but also tiny creatures like fireflies. This trail is proof of humans and nature coexisting in harmony."

A thousand feathers, a thousand sturgeons

On March 23, 15 international volunteers from Chile, Algeria, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan visited the Chongqing Ecological Education Base and the Upper Yangtze Rare & Endemic Fish National Nature Reserve. Under the guidance of Liu Hong, leader of the Jiangjin Honghu Fishery Protection Team, they constructed artificial fish nests to provide safe breeding grounds for endangered fish species.

Fifteen international volunteers constructed artificial fish nests to provide safe breeding grounds for endangered fish species. (Photo/Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation)

"Chongqing has done remarkable work in protecting the Yangtze, like the 10-year fishing ban. Seeing larger rare fish now proves the ecosystem is recovering," said a volunteer from Jamaica. Raquel Herrera from Chile added, "Back home, we use similar methods with natural materials like bamboo and grass—this is truly meaningful work." As the volunteers lowered the nests into the river, they planted seeds of cross-border ecological cooperation.

Barrier-free city walk

On the same day, 14 volunteers from Myanmar, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Cameroon conducted an accessibility assessment along Zhongshan 4th Road. Before the evaluation, six volunteers accompanied visually impaired resident Jiang Xue and wheelchair user Zeng Jian from their homes to the meeting point, experiencing the challenges of mobility-impaired travel firsthand.

Fourteen volunteers from Myanmar, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Cameroon conducted an accessibility assessment along Zhongshan 4th Road. Before the evaluation. (Photo/Chongqing Luhai International Communication Foundation)

"After two months in a wheelchair due to an injury, I've become deeply aware of accessibility issues," shared Li Kaixing from Myanmar. "This activity reinforced the need for more inclusive urban design.

The Land and Sea Promise: International Youth Innovation Initiative will continue with projects like Rural Wilderness Assistance and Ecological Art Garden in late March and April. Since its launch in 2022, the program has engaged over 300 young volunteers from over 50 countries in Chongqing, supporting education, heritage preservation, community care, and environmental protection.

In 2025, the initiative focuses on urban ecological development, rural literacy programs, accessibility improvements, and wildlife conservation, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable future for Chongqing.