In April, a warm spring breeze sweeps across the Gobi desert in Yumen City. At the Kelu Photovoltaic afforestation site, located at the eastern sandstorm passage, a scene of vigorous activity unfolds—officials and workers dig pits, position saplings, backfill soil, and water the young trees side by side. Sandthorn and white elm saplings stand firm against the wind, adding new patches of green to this once sand-battered land. This effort is part of Yumen City's 2026 national land greening campaign, which is mobilizing participation from urban to rural areas, and from government staff to ordinary citizens, under the theme of expanding, revitalizing, and protecting green spaces.
Scientific approaches ensure that every tree takes root. At the planting site, senior forestry engineer Li Xiaohong moves among volunteers, offering hands-on guidance on proper planting techniques. This year, Yumen has adopted an innovative mixed planting model combining elm and sandthorn trees in a triangular arrangement, enhancing both ecological protection and visual appeal. “We provide on-site supervision to enforce planting standards and ensure each tree survives and thrives,” Li stated.
The city’s determination goes beyond planting—it is backed by science and meticulous planning. In 2026, Yumen aims to complete 8,500 mu of artificial afforestation, 40,000 mu of enclosed grassland regeneration, and 200 mu of village greening. Additionally, 45.2 kilometers of farmland shelterbelts will be newly built or replenished, 15 volunteer tree-planting sites will be established, and over 600,000 trees will be planted by volunteers. Three major sandstorm passages will be treated, covering 10,000 mu. The principle “30% depends on planting, 70% on maintenance” is being put into practice.
On April 9, the start date of the public tree-planting initiative, more than 2,100 employees from 52 organizations gathered at sites such as Kelu Photovoltaic and the old urban district, igniting a spring afforestation wave. Jin Liang, a civil servant who has participated in the campaign for seven consecutive years, expressed pride: “Watching the saplings I planted grow gives me a great sense of achievement. Contributing to my hometown’s ecological development is both a duty and an honor.”
But planting is only the beginning—consistent care is essential. On April 10, over 1,000 staff from nearly 30 units returned to a nearly 1,000-mu forest belt west of Kelu Photovoltaic to prune and maintain trees. “This isn’t just about planting new trees; it’s about scientifically managing existing ones, reflecting a shift in our greening philosophy,” explained Zhou Chong, a forestry engineer from the Yumen Natural Resources Bureau. Demonstrating proper technique, he trimmed dense, diseased, and dead branches at a 45-degree angle to the trunk, ensuring clean cuts and planning follow-up treatments with healing agents and summer care.
At the event, a “Party Member Pioneer Team” took the lead, with experienced workers sharing skills and younger members diligently learning pruning techniques. “I’ve realized that raising trees is like nurturing people—it requires continuous care,” remarked a young official with a smile.
Concurrently, departments including the United Front Work Department, the Federation of Industry and Commerce, and the Ecology and Environment Bureau organized tree-planting and pruning activities, fostering a collaborative spirit of public participation in greening and conservation.
Institutional safeguards further strengthen these efforts. Yumen has implemented a three-tier “forest chief system” to enforce responsibility at city, township, and village levels. Regular patrols, smart platform management, and strict resource protection protocols are in place. For grassland restoration, the city prioritizes natural recovery supplemented by artificial measures, including grazing bans and techniques like no-till reseeding. This year, 159,600 mu of degraded grassland will be rehabilitated in key areas, with vegetation coverage maintained above 18.5% and desertification trends effectively curbed.
A coordinated mechanism linking forest chiefs, rangers, and grid staff has been established, alongside improved fire monitoring and pest control systems. Biological and physical green prevention methods are being promoted to ensure healthy growth of forest and grassland resources.
As spring revitalizes Yumen, a collective commitment to ecological protection is taking root. From combating sandstorms to urban-rural beautification, and from planting to sustained management, the ethos of shared responsibility is spreading. Yumen will continue to advance its green blueprint—protecting water sources in the south, revitalizing the central oasis, and blocking wind and sand in the north—allowing the Gobi city to shine with ever-growing green brilliance.