March 12 marks China's 48th National Tree Planting Day and the 45th anniversary of the nationwide voluntary tree planting campaign. For Gansu, a province long battling drought and sandstorms, the day signifies more than planting individual trees—it represents cultivating extensive green coverage. On March 12, Gansu province launched a concentrated promotional activity for voluntary tree planting in Lanzhou, with staff distributing informational booklets to citizens.

The Gansu Provincial Greening Committee Office and the Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau, in collaboration with relevant Lanzhou departments, organized the 2026 provincial voluntary tree planting campaign. Through digital screens displaying promotional videos on forest and grassland ecological construction, thematic exhibition boards, and distribution of initiative letters to passersby, the event showcased the province's achievements in voluntary tree planting and ecological development over the years.

Shi Xueqiang, Director of Afforestation at the Gansu Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau, reported that last year Gansu completed 17.5387 million mu of comprehensive forest, grassland and desert control tasks, planted 73.4231 million trees through voluntary efforts, and recorded 9.9273 million participant instances. All 14 prefectures in the province have established and operational online platforms for voluntary tree planting, cumulatively launching 1,139 participation projects including 56 distinctive donation-based projects reflecting local characteristics.

At the promotion event, Cheng Xi, Director of Garden Afforestation at Lanzhou Forestry and Grassland Bureau, educated citizens about national land greening, the Three-North Shelterbelt Program, and the "Green Gansu" initiative. He explained that national regulations recognize eight categories of tree planting participation—including volunteer services and wildlife protection—all convertible to fulfilling tree planting obligations.

"Technological adoption has accelerated recently, particularly drone usage," Cheng told attendees. While workers previously carried saplings up steep mountains manually, drones now transport them efficiently, saving significant labor and costs. Drone and satellite imagery have become standard for assessing afforestation survival rates and monitoring forest damage.

The "Internet + voluntary tree planting" model continues to deepen, with all eight participation categories being refined. "Local, timely, and convenient participation" has emerged as the new trend. Lanzhou's voluntary tree planting website lists over 170 activities where citizens can register for tree planting, ancient tree inspections, or sapling maintenance. Those unable to participate physically can contribute through three donation programs: "Cherish Ancient Trees - Love Lanzhou," "Green Lanzhou," and "I Plant Trees for Two Mountains."

Participant Wang Rui, attending her third such event, noted significantly improved vegetation coverage in Lanzhou, providing more weekend recreation options. "I will continue teaching my children about greening and tree planting," she said.

Gansu's green enthusiasm has attracted national attention, particularly in Minqin County where "Plant a Tree in Minqin" has become a popular公益活动. As a key water conservation area for the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers and a focal point of the Three-North Shelterbelt Program, Gansu has established 1,482 kilometers of forest and grassland sand barriers along the 1,686-kilometer Hexi Corridor desertification front, effectively controlling 178 of 212 major sandstorm sources—transforming the dynamic from "desert advancing, people retreating" to "greenery expanding, desert receding."

Statistics show Gansu has raised over 14 million yuan in online tree planting donations and issued more than 460,000 voluntary tree planting certificates. Shi Xueqiang emphasized that refined participation methods have created more accessible, diverse, and effective channels for public engagement in ecological civilization construction.