Action Seeds | Dream of Butterflies

On May 10, a butterfly-themed nature tour was successfully held in the World Flower Garden of the Shanghai Expo Culture Park. Led by Ms. Xu Xiaoyan of Heqing Middle School, the event helped participants gain a deep understanding of Shanghai’s native plants and butterflies through field observation, knowledge explanation, interactive experience, etc., and feel the beauty of the city’s ecology. 10 students from Roots & Shoots groups and their family members participated in this natural exploration. 

During the event, Ms. Xu led the students to observe a variety of plants living in different environments: in the wetland area, aquatic plants such as water lilies and reeds were seen. Their unique growth forms adapt to the humid environment and provide habitats and food sources for aquatic organisms. The grass was dotted with herbaceous plants such as cosmos and cockscombs. They seem low-key, but they play an important role in maintaining soil stability and providing nectar in the ecosystem. Ms. Xu also talked about the close dependence between butterflies and plants, such as butterflies pollinating plants, and plants providing nectar and larval food for butterflies. 

Ms. Xu, with her rich knowledge, gave on-site explanations in easy-to-understand, vivid and interesting language and shared many interesting natural stories and observation skills. The event was also set up with an interactive task list by asking questions such as “How do plants spread seeds?” to stimulate the students’ interest in exploring nature.

Ms. Xu later guided everyone on the spot how to scientifically record species information and shooting angles. The students were asked to use cameras or mobile phones to shoot the wonderful plants and insects. Ms. Xu also distributed to everyone the “List of Campus Plants and Their Parasitic Butterflies” produced by Heqing Middle School, supplementing the knowledge that was not fully introduced in the event, and helping participants to further learn and consolidate afterwards.

The students fed back that through this event they had a new understanding of plants, discovered many different plants, and felt the diversity and unique charm of urban ecosystems. Some parents further reported that the students took their initiative to consult relevant books at home with a strong interest in nature. Member students Roots & Shoots groups said that the event inspired them to continue to pay attention to and explore the passion of nature, and they are willing to participate in more similar nature appreciation activities in the future.

Are you also interested in such nature appreciation activities? Join Shanghai Roots & Shoots as a school group and you will have the opportunity to participate! Click this link to join us!