Prospering naturally

To raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the relationship between humans and nature, the studio has conducted more than 500 courses for members of the public.

Every year, about 20,000 people attend the courses, some of which grant them access to the special zone in Pujiang Country Park.

Most of the courses cater to families with young children, says Ding Yan, who is in charge of the nature education department at the studio.

The children, she adds, have often taken on the role of educators themselves. Ding recalls an incident in which a child who had already attended several of the studio's courses told fellow participants not to catch fireflies or take them home during summer camps.

"The child told the participants that fireflies need a special environment to reproduce and survive, and that taking such creatures home might mean that they could eventually go extinct," Ding says.