Nature exploration in Fuzhou village gives children 'great joy'

With autumn here, You Liujin, a dedicated nature education teacher, prepares to lead a group of city children on an enchanting journey through the forests of Daxi village. There, they will wander among the trees, gathering the season's fallen treasures — persimmon stems, tree bark and dried leaves — to craft unique seed creations.

In 2019, You, owner of a crafts shop in Fuzhou, ventured to the tranquil village, a two-hour drive from downtown, nestled in the mountainous region of Yongtai county known as Fuzhou's "backyard garden". During her first visit, You discovered an abundance of natural materials — pine cones, bamboo segments and persimmons — that city children rarely encounter. These materials became the perfect medium for nature education, igniting her vision for an immersive educational space.

Over time, You has transformed a building into her camp, combining nature exploration, crafts, and food aesthetics. The activity area on the first floor displays an array of intriguing natural objects — various seeds collected over time. "We display what we find here in the wild," You explains. "Children are drawn in by their curiosity, asking what things are and whether they can find them too."

With a map of the village, children are guided to embark on their own treasure hunts, discovering pine cones, dried leaves, pressed flowers and more. They learn about the origins of chestnuts, which many are surprised to find come from trees, and the ancient history of these trees, some of which are 800 to 900 years old, You said.

Together with the children, You explores the village herself, interacting with farmers and learning about rural life.

"The farmers here are so diligent. They are always busy with endless crops. The people and the nature around here made me decide to settle down for many years," she said.

Local residents said the village Daxi, which means "great joy", was aptly named to capture the happiness of settlers who made it their home. The children have constructed a wooden cabin near the serene reservoir with their own hands, using materials they found in nature. "They (the children) now see this place as a second home," You said.

She is also delighted to notice changes among the local villagers. Initially, when You began collecting items like leaves, villagers were puzzled. But as she shared their beauty, they became eager to show her the most beautiful things their village can offer.

You said this mutual exchange of knowledge and appreciation has fostered a deeper connection between her, the children and the villagers, enriching the community's educational experience.

Huang Shijie, the village's Party chief, said that the village's excellent ecological resources attract many parents and children for educational tours and photography enthusiasts to capture wildlife. Additionally, some people choose to stay for extended periods to enjoy the rural life. During this year's National Day holiday, most rooms and services were booked in advance.

With the advancement of the "Two Mountains" concept, many young people from across the country, including teams from Taiwan, have joined in the rural development efforts in recent years, he said.