Every April, a breathtaking transformation sweeps through Nayong County in southwest China’s Guizhou Province—thousands of rare Chinese dove trees burst into bloom, turning the mountains into a sea of delicate white flowers. Behind this natural spectacle? A quiet hero: a local forest ranger who’s devoted nearly 40 years to protecting these botanical treasures.
Known as 'living fossils,' Chinese dove trees—famous for their fluttering, dove-shaped petals—have thrived here thanks to relentless conservation efforts. The unnamed ranger, part of a team of hundreds, patrols the reserve daily, monitoring growth, preventing poaching, and educating communities. 'It’s like raising children,' he says of his decades-long labor of love.
Dove trees, which date back millions of years, are now a symbol of eco-success in Guizhou. The reserve’s blooming season now draws researchers and nature lovers globally, proving that grassroots conservation can have roots as deep as the trees themselves.
Guardian of the Dove Trees: 40 Years of Forest Magic in China
, But Poaching Crisis Worsens
