On July 20, the Guangxi Leye-Fengshan Science Popularization Volunteers Training Camp, organized by the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark Management Committee and hosted by Footprint (Wuhan) Information Technology Co., Ltd., concluded successfully in the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark.
The Science Popularization Volunteers Training Camp is a long-term science outreach initiative of the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark. It aims to engage participants deeply in experiencing and learning about the geopark’s geological heritage, natural landscapes, cultural history, as well as geological conservation and community economic development. Participants gain a full understanding of the geopark’s earth science and aesthetic values. Through field investigations, science communication activities, and science missions, they jointly explore park planning, construction, and sustainable development strategies, promote the scientific tourism brand of the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark, and advance its sustainable development.
It is reported that this Leye-Fengshan science popularization event lasted four days. A total of 21 science volunteers from prestigious universities such as China University of Geosciences (Beijing), China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Yunnan Normal University, Central China Normal University, and Ocean University of China, as well as organizations including the Fengshan County Phoenix Cave Rescue Association, Beijing Qinghe Middle School, and Fengtai No. 2 Middle School, followed science mentors to sites such as the Sanmenhai Tiankeng Cluster Scenic Area, Dashiyue Tiankeng Scenic Area, Bliuhe Immortal Bridge Scenic Area, Luomei Lotus Cave Scenic Area, and Jiangzhou Corridor Scenic Area. They participated in science experience activities, enjoyed the fun of science outreach, and experienced the most beautiful scenery of the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark.
At the Dashiyue Tiankeng Scenic Area, the volunteers unexpectedly encountered experts from UNESCO who were conducting a mid-term evaluation of the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark. The experts showed great interest in the volunteers’ work. Wu Linling, a returning volunteer from Liuzhou, Guangxi, currently studying geography at Central China Normal University, introduced the work and achievements of the Leye-Fengshan Science Popularization Volunteers Training Camp in detail. Her presentation received affirmation and support from the experts, who stated that the volunteer science camp plays a very significant role for the geopark and encouraged the volunteers to continue their efforts and further contribute to the geopark’s science communication.
While carrying out science experience activities in the scenic areas, the volunteers also completed a large number of science tasks. They sketched geological phenomena in the park and explained their causes, wrote tour guide scripts for Yuanyang Cave and Yunfeng Cave, proposed a series of valuable suggestions for the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark Museum—such as improving the accuracy and engaging quality of exhibit explanations and adding friendly tips—and pointed out some minor knowledge errors in the museum. By collecting litter, they explored the topics of waste sorting and how the park could more effectively protect the environment. They also performed original skits depicting the arduous journey of Leye and Fengshan’s ancestors in search of a place to live and the touching love story of Luomei. Moreover, they composed songs, poems, and “Sanju Ban” (a form of traditional comic dialogue) pieces for the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark. The leaders of Leye and Fengshan counties, during their interactions with the volunteers, were moved by their enthusiasm and excellent work. They highly praised the training camp and emphasized the importance of encouraging volunteers to spread knowledge about the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark on a wider scale after the camp.
After the training camp, the 21 outstanding volunteers will return to their respective jobs and studies. They will combine the geological knowledge they witnessed and experienced firsthand in the park with what they learned from the experts and professors during the camp. Over the next year, they will write science articles about the park, spreading geoscience knowledge related to Leye-Fengshan to more people. They will also organize “Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark on Campus” lectures to bring awareness of the geopark to schools across the country, striving to expand its influence. Additionally, they will create poems, videos, skits, hand-drawn works, and more to promote the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark in various forms.
Through the continuous efforts of the volunteers, more and more people will come to appreciate the charm of karst landforms, develop a longing for the Leye-Fengshan UNESCO Global Geopark, and visit this magical and beautiful place, where they will be captivated and reluctant to leave.