On 9 May 2021, the 40th Heilongjiang Province “Bird Care Week” Academic Forum and Migratory Bird Protection Conference, co-organized by the Heilongjiang Forestry and Grassland Bureau, Northeast Forestry University, and the Heilongjiang Zoological Society, was successfully held in Luobei County, Hegang City.

The forum was attended by a total of more than 200 experts and scholars from wildlife conservation management departments, nature conservation management agencies, Northeast Forestry University, the Academy of Forestry, zoos and bird ringing stations. The opening ceremony was presided over by Wang Jinjun, Director of the Heilongjiang Zoological Society. Tao Jin, Second Inspector of the Heilongjiang Forestry and Grassland Bureau, and Zhong Yi, Director of the China Wildlife Conservation Association, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Zou Hongfei, Dean of the College of Wildlife and Protected Area of Northeast Forestry University, presided over the academic activities.

The theme of the forum was “Home of Birds, Ecological Heilongjiang”. The forum was divided into three thematic units, which focused on hot issues such as birds and habitats, public safety and conservation education in Heilongjiang Province. Each unit consisted of a keynote presentation and a dialogue with guests.

The first thematic unit was entitled “The Brilliant Achievements of Bird Conservation in Heilongjiang”. Wang Wenfeng from Zalong National Nature Reserve and Liu Huajin from Xingkai Lake National Nature Reserve gave keynote presentations on “Research on Zalong Red-crowned Crane and Habitat Conservation” and “Monitoring and Protection of Migratory Birds in Xingkai Lake Reserve” respectively. The guest speaker Zhang Yongming, the former Secretary General of the Heilongjiang Wildlife Protection Association and Deputy Director of the Wildlife Management Department of the Heilongjiang Forestry Department, reviewed the activities of the first “Bird Care Week” and briefly summarized the main achievements of bird care and protection in Heilongjiang Province over the past 40 years. Wang Jinjun introduced the bird research teams in Heilongjiang and their achievements. Li Lin from the Wildlife Research Institute of the Heilongjiang Academy of Forestry told the story of his first sighting of hooded cranes in Heilongjiang Province.

The second thematic unit was on “Bird Conservation and Ecological Safety”. Chai Hongliang and Xu Qing from Northeast Forestry University gave keynote presentations on “Migratory Birds and the Spread of Avian Influenza” and “Birds and Bird Collision Prevention and Control at Heilongjiang Airport” respectively. The guest speaker, Luo Zhiwen from Jiamusi University, talked about the characteristics of birds at Jiamusi Airport and the successful experience of environmental management. Wu Qingming from Northeast Forestry University explored the relationship among cranes, agriculture and communities, discussing the ecological significance of agriculture for cranes and how to promote a synergistic relationship between social development and bird conservation.

The third thematic unit was on “Public Participation and Conservation Education”. Li Xianda from Heilongjiang Central Station Black-billed Grouse National Nature Reserve and Gao Zhisheng from Harbin Normal University gave keynote presentations on “Bird Circulation in the Nenjiang River” and “Conservation of Urban Birds in Harbin” respectively. The guest speaker, Zuo Yutao from Dulu River Nature Reserve, told the story of the rescue and breeding of Oriental White Storks in the reserve. Liu Peiqi from Northeast Program Office of WWF Beijing talked about the ideas and plans for bird conservation education of the organization. Wu Chao from Kujia Media introduced the volunteer organization and volunteer activities in Luobei County.

After 40 years of development, “Bird Care Week” has become a brand activity for wildlife protection in Heilongjiang Province, and an important platform for promoting ecological protection awareness and spreading ecological civilization. The success of this academic forum and conference on migratory bird conservation is an important summary of bird research and conservation in Heilongjiang Province and a major achievement in the construction of ecological civilization, laying a good foundation for further promoting the construction of ecological civilization, contributing to the construction of a beautiful Heilongjiang and preserving our common home planet, and offering a gift for the centenary of the Party.