To implement the sister geoparks agreement between Huangshan and Tianzhushan UNESCO Global Geoparks, facilitate the exchange and sharing of science‑popularization resources, give play to the natural‑education role of geoparks, and help teenagers build awareness of coordinated conservation for biodiversity and geological heritage, this lecture formed one of the National Science Popularization Day events organized by Tianzhushan UNESCO Global Geopark.

Working together with Huangshan UNESCO Global Geopark, Tianzhushan Geopark hosted a special lecture entitled Reading the Hometown Mountains through Birds at Qianshan No. 2 High School. The speaker was Miao Peng, Associate Researcher at Huangshan Geopark Museum and a member of the Jiu‑San Society. Scheduled on the evening of 1 September and incorporated into the school’s science‑enlightenment “First Lesson of the Semester” for the new autumn term, the lecture was attended by more than 500 Grade‑10 students.

The talk took birdwatching as an entry point for connecting with nature. Miao Peng talked about the meaning of birdwatching, bird‑identification skills and norms for responsible bird‑watching. Drawing on a wealth of field‑shot photographs and wildlife videos, he explained three key aspects of bird recognition: observing physical features, studying behavioural habits and listening to bird calls. He also introduced beginner‑level tools such as binoculars and bird‑identification mobile apps. He emphasized that the core of birdwatching is “to admire without disturbing”, so that wild birds may live freely in their natural environment.

The lecture presented the local bird‑resource status of Qianshan. Up to now, 267 wild‑bird species have been recorded in the area, 49 of which are under national key protection. Forests within Tianzhushan and riverbanks along the Qianshui River serve as important bird habitats. Qianshan lies on the East Asian‑Australasian Flyway, and large numbers of birds of prey pass through during autumn migration. Representative local birds were introduced. Verses written by Li Bai about silver pheasants were cited, organically integrating natural‑science popularization with cultural and humanistic stories.

“Birds are the performers, and geology provides the stage.” The lecture elaborated on the close‑knit relationship between geological environments and wildlife. It compared the ultrahigh‑pressure metamorphic geology of Tianzhushan with the granite peak‑forest landforms of Huangshan, illustrating how geology shapes habitats and how habitats sustain bird populations. Looking into ancient relics preserved in the Qianshan Basin, the presentation linked 60‑million‑year‑old fossil birds  with modern‑day birdlife in Qianshan. It traced the evolutionary story running from Paleocene ancient birds to present‑day avian fauna, helping students appreciate the continuous cycle of life on their native land.

The speaker analyzed existing threats faced by migratory birds, such as habitat shrinkage and human‑caused disturbance. He shared the “Six‑Don’ts” code for civilized bird‑watching and promoted the concept of citizen‑science observation. Students were encouraged to use online recording platforms to document birds around them, starting with getting to know nearby bird species and becoming observers, recorders and guardians of nature.

The students listened attentively and thought actively. Through the combination of birds, ancient fossils and mountains, they gained a real‑world understanding of both the ecological and scientific values of Tianzhushan UNESCO Global Geopark, while fostering affection for their hometown and respect for nature.

During the event break, staff members from the two sister geoparks held exchanges. They discussed practical topics including nature‑education curriculum development, research‑study‑tour planning and the operation of science‑popularization venues. Experience‑sharing laid a solid foundation for deeper future collaboration.

This school‑cooperation activity brought the fruits of sister‑geopark partnership into the classroom. Local resources such as geological evolution, paleontological relics and avian biodiversity were transformed into accessible nature‑education content for young people. Going forward, Tianzhushan UNESCO Global Geopark will continue to strengthen cooperation with its sister parks and other UNESCO Global Geoparks. Building on the National Science Popularization Day, it will regularly deliver on‑campus nature‑education activities, research‑study tours and other outreach programmes. By sharing the stories of geoparks, the park aims to promote simultaneous improvement in teenagers’ scientific literacy and ecological‑civilization awareness.