Third phase of Poyang Lake Ecosystem Restoration Initiative launched
Conservation International, a global non-profit organization dedicated to protecting nature for the benefit of people and the planet, and Sateri, a leading global producer of textile fibers, have announced the launch of the third phase of the Poyang Lake Ecosystem Restoration Initiative.
The Poyang Lake in China.
Building on the initiative’s significant success since its inception in 2019, this new phase marks a critical milestone in restoring China’s largest freshwater lake by integrating carbon neutrality efforts.
Located in Jiangxi Province, in the southeastern part of China, Poyang Lake plays a critical role in regulating floods in the Yangtze River and supports the livelihoods of more than 45 million people living in the province, contributing more than 15% of the Yangtze River’s annual runoff.
It is also a wetland of national and global importance, providing a habitat for flora and fauna of high conservation value, including the critically endangered Siberian crane and finless porpoise.
This new phase marks the fifth year of collaboration between Conservation International and Sateri. The initiative has seen significant successes since it began in 2019, including:
Strengthening the management of 473,000 hectares of protected areas across 50 ecological zones;
Enhancing the capability of 2,000 wetland rangers through capacity-building program;
Improving the habitat management of 350 species of wildlife, including the critically endangered finless porpoise and Siberian crane;
Supporting the construction of five community artificial-wetlands for wastewater treatment, which can treat 56,000 tons of agricultural and domestic sewage; and
Benefiting 25,000 local community members through livelihood support, vocational capacity-building and environmental education programs.
“This initiative has truly enhanced biodiversity conservation and ecological education, while empowering local communities with sustainable livelihoods,” said Zhang Cheng, Program Director at Conservation International China.
In line with Sateri’s 2030 aspiration of becoming a “net positive impact” company, the newly-launched third phase will advance these successes by focusing on:
Research on the Freshwater Health Index (FHI) for the basin,
Protection and restoration of small wetlands, and
Better climate change mitigation and adaptation for resilience.
This collaboration, supported by the Jiujiang Municipal Government of the Jiangxi Province, underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to advancing biodiversity and sustainable development in one of China’s most vital freshwater ecosystems.
