Funded by the Chinese and the Dutch government, the Integrated Mangrove Management and Coastal Protection Project (IMMCP) aimed to protect the local ecology and has been the biggest foreign aid project in forestry aspect in Guangdong province so far. The construction components included mangrove and biophysical inventory, the reserve construction, plantation, restoration, technical consultation, technical training, community participation and environmental education. The 2001-2006 project’s objectives were to protect and expand mangrove wetland, enhance management level, establish a sustainable resource exploitation model, increase the public awareness and promote sustainable development of the coastal economy.

With great concerns from leaders at each level, the project was successfully completed on 31 Oct, 2006 and gained great achievement. It included surveys of three resources (mangrove, bird, fish and shellfish), construction of the reserve headquarters and two field stations, reserve boundary demarcation, launch of the reserve website, inclusion of ZMNNR into the Ramsar list, plantation of 1000-ha mangroves, the overseas study tours and trainings with 74 participants, 16 technical training courses, 75.5-month inputs from international experts and 42-month inputs from national experts and submission of 27 technical reports.

Inputs form specialists in environmental education and investigation of departments relevant to mangrove education contributed to formulation of Environmental Education and Public Awareness Strategy, development of a Mangrove Education Kit etc.

Cooperating with Zhanjiang Education Bureau, the project totally appointed 12 schools as pilot schools in environmental education and held training courses participated by 60 teachers. The education directly reached 68,000 persons. Through training and establishment of education model, teachers grasped some techniques important in environmental education, such as development of plan, organization of trips to mangrove areas etc.

Through several large-scale public awareness activities organized by the project during the previous five years, the public realized importance of mangrove.

For commemorating 2003 World Environment Day, the Project organized a bicycle field trip cooperation with Zhanjiang Youth League, Zhanjiang Environmental Protection Bureau etc.

For commemorating 2004 World Environment Day, the project held article competition in all pilot schools. Around 5000 students took part in the competition entitled I Loves Mangroves in My Hometown.  

For commemorating 2005 World Wetland Day, the project organized poster design competition with a topic of Zhanjiang Mangrove Wetland. The submittal of 350 works came from about 1000 students.

For commemoration of the 2006 World Wetlands Day, in cooperation with Zhanjiang Youth League, Editorial Department of Zhanjiang Daily and ZMNNR, the project organized a successful large-scale photo competition entitled I Love Zhanjiang Mangroves. A total of 1220 photos was received. An exhibition tour was held with fourteen large moveable posters which were produced, thereby strengthening the impact and education effectiveness.