The green map showcases the ecological landscape and cultural atmosphere along both banks of the Luoyang River.
Origin: Learning to draw green maps and choosing Quanzhou
In August, the Green Field Association of Xiamen University held a wetland camp. At the camp, volunteers learned about the basic concept of green maps — they are based on regular maps but also function as multifaceted guides featuring educational, natural ecological, and historical-cultural landmarks. This concept originated in 1992 when the first green map was created in New York City, USA. After nearly 20 years of development, the idea of green maps has expanded to 51 countries and regions around the world.
The volunteers used creating a green map of Xiamen University as a practice exercise to further master this skill. Volunteer Li Hongbin shared, “Drawing green maps allows us to take a deeper look at our surroundings. In the process, we discovered so many beautiful places that we hadn’t noticed before.”
Volunteer Zhang Yunlong, originally from Zhangzhou, graduated from Xiamen University’s Chemistry Department last year and began working with the China Mangrove Conservation Network. Passionate about environmental protection, he has been committed to promoting green maps in mangrove areas. “A green map can showcase the natural geography and culture of the areas surrounding mangroves. It can be used for promotional displays and is also one way to revive community identity.” By researching materials, the volunteers concluded that the mangrove areas in Quanzhou were relatively large and surrounded by rich cultural content, so they unanimously decided to create a green map in Quanzhou during the summer break.
Action: Walking twenty kilometers and visiting a hundred households
To create the map, field visits were essential. “We started by looking at maps and planning our routes.” On August 3, Li Hongbin and a team of 22 set off on their trip to Quanzhou.
Every morning, volunteers split into groups to walk along the Luoyang River, collecting information along the way, including mangrove areas, tidal flat aquaculture zones, seedling breeding areas, villages, and more. Then, one person from each group would draw their assigned area on the master map. Putting it all together formed the complete content of the green map. “We walked about 20 kilometers in total and visited over a hundred households. Especially when we encountered cultural landmarks, we would ask local residents along the shore for more information,” said Li Hongbin. He believes that besides reflecting the ecological landscape along the Luoyang River, the green map should also be rich in humanistic elements. Therefore, during their visits, they often spoke with elderly locals to learn about famous historical residences, ancient bridges, and their stories, hoping to help people gain a deeper understanding of the area through the map.