Wild clematis, bletilla striata, anoectochilus roxburghii, and Chinese cymbidium are rare wild plants. While preserving the ecosystem and protecting these species, Wenzhou has successfully developed 8 new varieties—including “Blue Lotus” (Nymphaea tetragona) and “Yabai No. 1”—and promoted over one million seedlings,  achieving industrial-scale development with notable social and economic benefits. On March 4, 2025, during the launch ceremony for Zhejiang’s World Wildlife Day publicity activities held in Wenzhou, the “Wenzhou Endangered Plant Rescue Achievements Report” was released. Wenzhou’s exploration of a new “conservation + utilization” model in the protection of endangered species has earned widespread recognition.

Spanning 12,000 square kilometers, Wenzhou is home to more than 2,700 species ofwild plants, including 54 national key protected wild plants (1 under 1st series, 53 under 2nd series) as well as 264 rare and endangered plants. Field investigations have recorded 491 species of wild terrestrial vertebrates, among which 11 are classified as Important Wild Animals under State Protection (1st series) and 77 as 2nd series, alongside 6 critically endangered, 14 endangered, and 28 vulnerable species.

Conserving wild plants and animals is not only vital for ecological balance but also crucial for human well-being. In recent years, to address challenges like low natural reproduction rates and poor adaptability in rare and endangered species such as sphaeropteris lepifera, platycrater arguta, clematis patens var. tientaiensis, dendrobium fanjingshanense, anoectochilus roxburghii, and bletilla striata, Wenzhou has systematically assessed their genetic diversity and developed efficient, stable rapid propagation techniques. For instance, by precisely controlling seedling cultivation, juvenile sporophytes of Sphaeropteris lepifera can now be developed in just 90 days. Additionally, for plant species with extremely small populations like platycrater arguta and dendrobium fanjingshanense, Wenzhou has established a Germplasm Resource Bank and optimized tissue culture and rapid propagation technologies, significantly enhancing the capacity for population expansion.

In its series of endangered species protection efforts, Wenzhou has pioneered the “conservation + utilization” model, effectively converting ecological value into economic benefits. In addition to cultivating new varieties like the “Blue Lotus” and “Yabai No. 1,” it has made significant strides in key technologies for the selection, cultivation, and comprehensive utilization of dalbergia odorifera. Notably, Wenzhou has developed cold-resistant “dalbergia odorifera seed production stand” and propagated 85,000 plants of container. By adopting an agroforestry management model that emphasizes short-term returns and long-term sustainability, Wenzhou has ensured the sustainable development of dalbergia odorifera on the northern margin.

Wenzhou has established a “government-leading + public participation” framework to support wildlife conservation. Last year, 27 awareness campaigns reached 3,998 people. It also strengthened law enforcement through a collaborative mechanism involving the “forest chief+police captain+chief prosecutor” conducting 192 special operations such as the “Clean Network” , “Operation Net Shield” and “Operation Zijiang Sword”, which resulted in the resolution of 5 criminal cases. Furthermore, with the support of the Green Eye Environment protection Society and other social welfare organizations, Wenzhou established a municipal-level wildlife rescue and protection base. Last year, the base handled 1,048 wildlife rescue cases and rehabilitated 1,304 animals, including 4 species protected under 1st series and 373 under 2nd series of the state-level.

“Wenzhou will leverage its bid for International Wetland City status as its primary initiative to jointly create a coastal wetland landscape embodying the vision of “Three Blue Rivers, a Thousand‐Mile Shore, Endless Wetlands in Store”, This effort aims to improve birds’ habitat and establish a “happy home” for wild flora and fauna.” stated an official from the Wenzhou Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning.

The event was co-hosted by the Shanghai Office of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Forestry Administration of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Wildlife Conservation Association, Wenzhou Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, and Wenzhou Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau.