WAB Roots & Shoots members joined Erika Helms, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute of China, and Michael Koenig, President of Bayer Group in Greater China, for last week's celebration.

On Thursday March 13, WAB welcomed Michael Koenig, President of Bayer Group in Greater China, to sign the agreement on the "Green Generation: Environmental Education Center" project on WAB's campus. According to the agreement, Bayer will donate 3 million yuan over a period of 6 years and work closely with its partners WAB and Jane Goodall Institute China to transform the campus lake into a protected wetlands and to establish an outdoor environmental education center around the wetlands.

Upon completion of the transformation to wetlands, this site will serve as a natural youth environmental education base that will offer opportunities to youth to experience the impact of environmental changes on the ecosystem, to be closer to nature, and to increase their knowledge about environmental protection, on topics such as understanding the benefits of large-scale recycling and reusing, the preservation of water resources, as well as the protection of the natural wetland ecological environment and species of wildlife. In addition, this project is an integral part of the overall planning for "Green Olympics".

Michael Koenig of Bayer said: "Water is one of our most precious natural resources. Bayer is very supportive of sustainable water initiatives. We believe that by gathering the resources of environmental experts and partners such as the Chinese government, NGOs, as well as schools, Green Generation will become an innovative environmental education program."

Michael Crook, Founder and current Board member of WAB, said, "Bayer has once again fulfilled its commitment to society as a good corporate citizen through its generous support of the rejuvenation project of this heavily polluted lake. We are happy to be able to work with Bayer in making a contribution to environmental protection and the Green Olympics."

WAB is deeply grateful for the support of Bayer China, and for all members of the WAB community who have contributed to this major wetlands rejuvenation project.