Rare salamander inspires Ningbo's young environmental guardians

The 2026 United Nations China Youth Environmental Conference. [Photo/Yongpai App]

A rare salamander has become an unlikely teacher for thousands of children in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, bringing local conservation efforts to an international stage.

The "Green Waters and Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets" Environmental Protection Foundation from the city's Beilun district shared its story at the 2026 United Nations China Youth Environmental Conference on Oct 28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as the only social organization from Zhejiang province presenting at the event.

The foundation's educational initiative centers on the Zhenhai salamander, a nationally protected species whose wild population once fell below 300. Despite living in an industrial port area, the species has survived and become a gateway for local children to learn about biodiversity and environmental protection.

"We wondered whether we could turn the Zhenhai salamander into a lesson, since children may know the theories of climate change and biodiversity from textbooks but know little about the wildlife around them," said Liu Junqiao, head of the foundation.

The foundation has set up a special course called "Protect the Zhenhai Salamander". It also organizes researcher-led field trips and cross-provincial study programs with schools from Qinghai and Jiangsu.

To date, the course has reached more than 4,700 young people directly.