As the first rays of sunrise gilded the waves of the South China Sea, Hainan University’s blue-clad volunteers had already begun their beach cleanup. This student-led ocean care initiative represents not a passing impulse, but a profound commitment woven into the very fabric of their youth.
Sustained Cleanups Bridging Coastal Protection Gaps
Rain or shine, these young volunteers persist, tackling shoreline trash—each filled trash bag a badge of honor, their efforts weaving their promise into the waves.
Chengfeng (乘风, ‘Riding the Wind’) College runs the Plastic-free Beaches initiative with 50 residents per event, totaling 2,500 participations across 143 beach cleans over the past five years.
“When new faces join us, they really bring fresh energy in,” said the volunteers. Passing tourists, young and old, pitched in after witnessing students’ tireless efforts. Working alongside volunteers, they also learned about marine conservation. “The more waste we take from beaches, the lighter burden our ocean must bear,” said Yao Shixue, a 2024-entry student at Chengfeng College.
At Hainan University, a coastal protection web connects all residential colleges. Members keep sharing and blend their knowledge to set shoreline protection strategies tailored to each beach’s dynamics.
Among them, Fengxiang (凤翔, ‘Soaring Phoenix’) College has partnered with the Blue Ribbon Ocean Conservation Association on beach cleanups for 13 years. What began as beach cleanups now spans public education and a Clean Beaches: Fisheries-School Joint Action’ initiative, leading to tangible environmental benefits.
“I used to get so emotional watching those ocean documentaries, but I never imagined one day I’d actually be out there saving sea turtles myself,” said Shi Jianjie, a 2023-entry student at Yefeng (椰风, ‘Coconut Breeze’) College, voicing students’ mindset shift from concern to conservation action.
From Classroom to Science Outreach and Innovation
The colleges of Hainan University jointly host diverse online and offline activities, including marine ecology lectures, specimen exhibitions and environmental essay contest. Scientists unravel the mysteries of ocean balance, inspiring young minds to discover, create and protect.
Hainan University students have grow from curious mind to ocean ambassador. They tracked distribution and causation of the beach debris while creating short videos and infographics for science education.
Into the local fishing villages, they used repurposed plastic rings to simulate dolphin drowning scenarios and converted debris fragments into sea animal toys, turning conservation lessons into children’s storybooks.
From opt for eco-friendly bags and palm-leaf fans in daily life to university student innovation and entrepreneurship incubation and renewable resource research, the concept of conservation has been subtly integrated into actions, extending marine protection to the broader fields of resource preservation.
From classrooms to communities, Hainan University students are turning theory into actionable blue solutions—scientifically rigorous, creatively bold.
From Sparks into Torches: Lighting our Blue Future
“Careless littering can kill; every pickup saves,” said Wang Zihan, a 2024-entry student at Zijin (子衿, ‘Scholars of Conscience’) College, who volunteered at Baishamen Marine Conservation Station. Sustained participation has planted seeds of marine conservation in young minds.
Zhang Weikang, a 2024-entry student at Jinzhao (今朝, ‘Era Making’) College, said, “Every small act counts”, through which students deepen their understanding of human-ocean symbiosis. Fengxiang College students designed posters advocating resource conservation; Chengfeng College students livestreamed ‘virtual beach cleanup’, using drones to map shoreline debris; and others signed up for elective courses on marine sciences. Together, they have grown into a key force in marine conservation.
Hainan University has integrated marine conservation into its education system, forming the nucleus for local eco-conservation. Each piece of trash collected is a spark. The students of Hainan University, with their youthful vigor, transform beach sparks into torches for marine resilience, illuminating the future for our blue oceans.
Translated by Huai Beibei
Proofread by Jin Ying
