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GM Restoring Nature's Habitat Project Helps Migratory Birds in Shandong Province

2012-10-18

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Changdao, CHINA – Volunteers and journalists from across China visited the Changdao National Nature Reserve in Shandong province today to personally see and understand the achievements of GM’s Restoring Nature’s Habitat Project.

The Changdao National Nature Reserve initiative is part of the first phase of a three-year GM Restoring Nature’s Habitat Project launched by GM China and the China Environmental Protection Foundation (CEPF) in March to support the breeding of rare birds, provide water for migratory birds and prevent the invasion of alien species in selected nature reserves. The program also encourages people across China to get involved through the Nature Reserve Environmental Volunteer Program.

Volunteers from several leading universities in China, including Beijing Normal University and Shandong University, will work alongside local environmental protection experts on bird banding and promoting public awareness of environmental protection at the Changdao National Nature Reserve.

The first phase of a GM-financed reservoir at Changdao Reserve with a capacity of 8,000 cubic meters and a depth of almost three meters has been completed. It was built to reduce the threat of insufficient water for migratory birds.

The reservoir conserves groundwater and supports a one-square-kilometer mountain forest as well as 70 mu (4.67 hectares) of orchards nearby. It is providing a suitable habitat for birds and other wildlife to feed, breed and withstand natural calamities.

The reservoir is also playing an irreplaceable role in improving the overall ecology of the reserve by serving as a buffer against wind and fog from the sea, conserving water and soil, and forming a more sustainable forest ecosystem.

According to Zhang Lingzuo, President of the Environmental Protection Bureau of Changdao County, there has already been a significant increase in the number of migratory birds flying the East Asia-Australia migration route stopping at the reserve.

The first phase of GM’s Restoring Nature’s Habitat Project also is helping improve the water supply at the Shanghai Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve and the Panjin Shuangtai Hekou National Nature Reserve in Liaoning province. The projects are aimed at providing a better habitat and breeding area for birds by reducing the presence of non-native species and controlling disease.

“GM China has been an advocate and pioneer in promoting environmental protection for many years,” said Xiang Feng, GM China Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations. “The GM Restoring Nature’s Habitat Project is enabling us to expand our work protecting the habitats of birds and strengthening awareness among people nationwide about the need to preserve our environment.”

Li Wei, Secretary General of the CEPF, said: "Dozens of wetlands scattered along the coastline of eastern China are playing a critical role as a breeding ground and resting place for more than 50 million migratory birds. The GM Restoring Nature’s Habitat Project is improving the ecology of key wetlands, protecting biodiversity and building support for nature reserve protection. The success of the initial projects is providing us hope.”

GM factors the environment into every aspect of its daily business operations, including product design, supply chain management and ecosystem protection, with the goal of dramatically reducing its environmental footprint. The GM Environmental Principles were adopted by the automaker worldwide in 1991. In China, GM has been supporting the Shanghai Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve since 2006. It also supports conservation projects in Lijiang, Yunnan province, and at the Beijing Songshan National Nature Reserve.

General Motors traces its roots back to 1908. GM has 12 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 35,000 employees in China. GM and its joint ventures offer the broadest lineup of vehicles and brands among automakers in China. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles are sold under the Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling brands. In 2011, GM sold more than 2.5 million vehicles in China. It has been the sales leader among global automakers in the market for seven consecutive years. More information on GM in China can be found at GM Media Online.

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