QINGDAO -- Islands in the rivers flowing through Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province have been transformed into a winter sanctuary for various bird species, thanks to dedicated ecological restoration efforts.

Located at the confluence of the Baisha River, the main waterway of Chengyang District in northern Qingdao, and Jiaozhou Bay, the 11 islands have become a crucial stopover for over 160 species of migratory birds each winter.
Collectively known as "Youth Heron Island," the islands lie along a key migratory route, offering clear waters, lush shores, and abundant food for migratory birds.
Seven years ago, however, the ecological conditions there were unsuitable for birds. In early 2018, the newly established Qingdao Chengyang District Wildlife Conservation Association, in collaboration with local authorities, began restoring the ecosystem, including planting trees on the islands.
"All the saplings had to be transported to the islands by boat, and the planting holes had to be dug by hand with a pickaxe - no machinery was allowed," said Xu Liqiang, secretary general of the association.
The restoration was not without setbacks. At the beginning, inexperienced staff planted fast-growing tree species that were unsuitable for the islands' salty, alkaline soil, resulting in the loss of 600 saplings.
Learning from these mistakes, the team consulted experts and replanted saline-alkali tolerant varieties. Aside from environmental challenges, local resistance, especially from the elderly who were prohibited from clearing land for farming on the islands, added complexity to the project.
"We engaged with local schools to raise awareness through education. We involved students who then influenced their grandparents, helping unite the community around the restoration effort," said Xu.
By 2020, the islands began to flourish - vegetation grew, the water quality improved, and, most importantly, the first migratory birds arrived.
"When we recorded over 30 grey herons wintering on the first restored island, many of us were so moved that we cried. The restoration of all 11 islands was the result of young people working together, which is why we named them 'Youth Heron Islands'," Xu explained.