Millions of Chinese youth and children are key forces in contributing to a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society. In early 1999, the Mother River Protection Operation — a nationwide ecological public welfare program, was sponsored by the ACYF together with other departments concerned to mobilize the younger generation in China to participate in ecological protection and resource conservation activities. By the end of 2006, young people of around 350 million person-times have been involved in the Operation with fund-raising of 380 million RMB both from home and abroad. 2018 afforestation projects were made possible with a total area of 4.21 million hectares and exchange programs were carried out with more than 30 countries and regions. The ACYF was therefore granted the Champion of the Earth by UNEP in 2004. In the future, with the purpose of improvement of a resource-conserving and environment-friendly society, this Operation will put the emphasis on promotion of green concept, construction of green homeland and education of green volunteers with the theme of Together for Green Harmony, and progress from regular ecological protection activities to comprehensive programs.

Overview of International Environmental Exchanges and Cooperation of the ACYF: