Hainan is home to unique and abundant ecological resources. It contains China’s largest contiguous area of well-preserved tropical rainforest on a continental island, with a high diversity of forest types. The province is also rich in marine biodiversity and diverse marine ecosystems, making it an important region for biodiversity conservation in China.

Since 2023, with the support of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Administration, Shan Shui Conservation Center has been exploring approaches to tropical rainforest conservation and community development in Hainan. Our work focuses on strengthening the institutional framework for ranger management in the national park, engaging scientific volunteers, and promoting sustainable livelihoods in surrounding communities. Through these efforts, we aim to provide support and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of national park conservation.

With guidance from the Hainan Provincial Forestry Bureau and support from the Shanghai Stock Exchange Foundation, Shan Shui has expanded its work to marine conservation in Hainan. Through marine species conservation and habitat restoration, we aim to support the protection and recovery of coastal ecosystems, maintain their ecological functions and the ecosystem services they provide to local communities, and enable communities to share in the benefits of conservation.

We are also exploring approaches to Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in marine environments. By strengthening the management and conservation capacity of marine protected areas and supporting the sustainable development of fishing communities, we seek to identify practical pathways that advance marine conservation and community development together.