Datong's geo park designated as national natural science popularization base

The Datong Clay Forest Geological Park. [Photo by Yang Jianmin for goshanxi.com.cn] 

The Datong Clay Forest Geological Park in Datong, North China's Shanxi province, was recently designated as a national natural resource science popularization base for 2023 by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Science and Technology. 

National natural resource science popularization bases are important venues for showcasing achievements in natural resource science and technology, spreading knowledge about earth sciences, promoting ecological civilization concepts, and emphasizing the importance of harmonious coexistence between people and nature as well as the conservation of resources.

The Datong Clay Forest Geological Park. [Photo by Yang Jianmin for goshanxi.com.cn] 

Covering an area of over 233 hectares, the Datong Clay Forest Geological Park, a forest of protrusive loess and grit sediment, has been the object of conservation efforts since 2007. 

The park has been used to promote the enactment of the "Datong Clay Forest Protection Regulations", and over 12 million yuan ($1.68 million) has been invested in the construction of a 200-square-meter science popularization museum, a 210-square-meter expert studio, and a 1200-square-meter science popularization camp in the park.

The Datong Clay Forest Geological Park. [Photo by Yang Jianmin for goshanxi.com.cn] 

Su Dechen, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, has been hired to develop over 10 types of science promotional materials for the park. What's more, 17,500 copies of science popularization books have been compiled and distributed, various online and in-person lectures have been organized, and nationwide science popularization campaigns have been carried out. 

Furthermore, preferential measures such as free admission to the park for elementary school students and half-price tickets for middle school students have been implemented. Over the past decade, science popularization activities have been provided for 210,000 primary and secondary school students from both within and outside Shanxi province, inspiring young people to explore the mysteries of natural science.