Xiangyang Daily (Tong Guanghui, the Journalist, and Yuan Peng and Zhang Jiahe, the Correspondents) Since March, a new wave of tree-planting activities has swept across Gucheng County, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, where authorities plan to plant 1.1 million seedlings of various species throughout the year. The initiative aims to further enhance the county’s reputation as a national ecological civilization construction demonstration zone and allow residents to share more benefits from green development.

At a voluntary tree-planting site in Gucheng County, officials and employees worked together, shoveling soil, filling pits, firming the soil around saplings, and watering them carefully, completing each step with diligence. After their efforts, more than 2,600 newly planted osmanthus and magnolia seedlings stood upright in the breeze, brimming with vitality.

“Tree planting is especially meaningful. My colleagues and I planted these saplings together, and I hope they grow strong. I’ll come back in the future to check on them and help care for them,” said Zhou Aoshuo, an official with the Gucheng Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

Afforestation benefits both the present and future generations. Gucheng County has actively practiced the concept of green development, widely mobilizing all sectors of society to participate in voluntary tree-planting campaigns. Last year, the county completed 4,000 mu of new afforestation, restored 7,000 mu of degraded forests, and carried out a high-standard land greening pilot and demonstration project covering 16,193.7 mu.

“This year, we will scientifically plan the scope of greening projects and coordinate key tasks such as rural greening, corridor greening, and park-area greening. By continuously improving the quality and stability of ecosystems, we aim to build a solid green foundation for high-quality economic development,” said Cai Jinhu, Head of the Land Greening Section of the Gucheng Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning. So far, 800,000 seedlings have already been planted, and further measures will be taken to ensure that “every sapling planted survives and every planted area turns green.”