Group 1 - The "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day" is celebrated on the second Saturday of June each year in China, with over a thousand cultural and museum-themed activities held across Shandong province, showcasing its rich historical and cultural resources [2] - The Shandong Museum hosted a special event on June 14, where parents and children learned the basics of Shandong embroidery under professional guidance, emphasizing the importance of intangible cultural heritage [2] - Two major exhibitions were launched at the Shandong Museum: one focusing on Qing Dynasty calligraphy featuring 55 pieces from renowned masters, and another highlighting stories of ancient honest officials from Shandong through over 70 artifacts [2] Group 2 - Various non-material cultural heritage activities were organized across the province, including workshops and exhibitions, under the theme "Integrating into Modern Life - Intangible Heritage is Youthful," allowing the public to experience traditional culture [3] - The main event for the Cultural and Natural Heritage Day in Shandong will take place on June 16, 2025, in Tai'an, where the Shandong Archaeological Park Alliance will be established and an archaeological study map will be released [3] - The Dongying region saw the establishment of the Oriental Stork Protection Research Center, with significant breeding data reported for various bird species, indicating a stable and growing population in the Yellow River Delta [3]

Core Viewpoint - The discovery of the critically endangered species, Guangxi Fire Tree, in the Xidaming Mountain Nature Reserve highlights the ecological value and biodiversity of the region, marking it as a new habitat for this rare plant [3][4]. Group 1: Discovery and Significance - A unique plant, Guangxi Fire Tree, was found in the Xidaming Mountain Nature Reserve, characterized by its bright orange-red flowers and absence of green leaves during its flowering period [3]. - The Guangxi Fire Tree (Firmiana kwangsiensis H.H.Hsue) is a deciduous tree native to southern China, which was upgraded from national second-level protection to first-level protection in 2021 and classified as "Critically Endangered" (CR) by the IUCN [3]. - The discovery increases the number of national first-level protected plant species in the reserve to five, enhancing the ecological value of the area [3]. Group 2: Conservation Efforts - The Xidaming Mountain Nature Reserve has seen significant improvements in its ecological environment due to increased investment and management efforts focused on ecological restoration, biodiversity monitoring, and combating environmental violations [4]. - The finding of the Guangxi Fire Tree serves as a testament to the successful outcomes of these ecological protection initiatives [4].

Core Viewpoint - Guangdong is advancing the construction of high-standard green and beautiful protected areas, accelerating the release of ecological dividends through effective biodiversity conservation efforts [3][4][39]. Group 1: Natural Protection Areas - Guangdong has the richest biodiversity in China, with 1,361 existing natural protected areas [3]. - The province has a long history of establishing natural protected areas, with the first one, Dinghu Mountain, established in 1956 [7]. - Guangdong is the first province in China to implement a demonstration project for natural protected area construction, promoting a leapfrog development approach [8][9]. Group 2: Goals and Plans - The goal is to have natural protected areas cover over 15% of the province's land area and over 8% of the marine area by 2035 [10]. - The provincial forestry bureau has developed a comprehensive plan for natural protected areas, aiming to create a unified and efficient protection system with Guangdong characteristics [11][12]. Group 3: Monitoring and Management - As of 2024, there are 207 provincial-level natural protected areas with established patrol management systems [28]. - Guangdong is enhancing monitoring and ecological protection through remote sensing and local regulations tailored to specific environmental conditions [24][26]. - The province has implemented a grid-based monitoring system and established 790 permanent vegetation sample plots to safeguard biodiversity [36][38]. Group 4: Ecological Benefits - The ecological dividends in Guangdong are accelerating, with various activities promoting the province's green brand [43]. - From November 2023 to October 2024, over 6,363 themed activities are planned, engaging approximately 3.96 million participants [46]. - The province is leveraging natural protected areas to develop ecological tourism and related industries, allowing the public to share in the benefits of conservation efforts [52].