In midsummer, Zibo is blanketed in lush forests, with ecological restoration turning mining pits into verdant landscapes. Forest-based industries thrive beneath the canopy, and smart forest protection weaves an ecological safety net. This scene paints a picture of ecological conservation and income growth moving in tandem.
High-quality development defines the forestry sector's focus in this new era. Yu Yien, director of the Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, explains that since the start of the year, the bureau has adhered to a "green development, industrial upgrading, and public benefit" strategy. It prioritizes a "triple-green" approach—expanding, revitalizing, and protecting green resources—to integrate the forest's four key reservoirs (water, grain, carbon, and biodiversity), thereby strengthening the ecological base and driving industrial growth for a high-quality forestry economy.
Scientific Expansion of Green Areas
In Yiyuan County, the National Reserve Forest Project area features thriving saplings of Quercus acutissima and Pinus armandii. As one of the first reserve forest initiatives in Shandong Province, it is now entering the completion and acceptance phase. Focused on cultivating large-diameter timber and native species, the project refines tree composition to build a multi-species, multi-functional timber management system. Once the trees mature, the forest will simultaneously deliver multiple ecological benefits, such as water conservation and carbon sequestration.
At the Lushan Forest Farm, Zibo is also advancing forest quality improvement initiatives. Yu Yien notes that by 2026, the bureau has secured a 6,200-acre sustainable forest management project and applied for a 21,500-acre provincial planning project. Additionally, 1.22 million yuan in provincial special funds have been allocated for ecological protection at the Matahu National Wetland Park, enhancing the regional environment. The National Historical Abandoned Mine Ecological Restoration Demonstration Project, slated for completion in 2028, will restore 17,309 acres, adding 9,090 acres of new forest and grassland to significantly boost regional ecological quality.
Revitalization Through Green Reforms
As the Xanthoceras sorbifolium harvest season nears its end, Shandong Linyuhong Xanthoceras sorbifolium Co., Ltd. in Linzi District remains bustling. The company processes earlier-harvested raw materials into products like Xanthoceras sorbifolium oil and tea, marketed nationwide. General Manager Lin Junmei says the firm leverages its national-level research base to develop 36 new Xanthoceras sorbifolium varieties, with deep-processed goods winning gold at the National Forest Products Trade Fair. Through a mature farmer-company partnership model, it boosts local farmers' incomes by encouraging cultivation and on-site employment, turning ecological assets into tangible benefits.
Building on this solid ecological base, Zibo is deepening forestry reforms. It has established an ecological product value realization mechanism and issued the "Implementation Opinions on Accelerating High-Quality Forestry Development." This strategy pools resources to empower forestry transformation, fostering a differentiated and specialized industrial system. Currently, the city boasts 2 national and 57 provincial forestry leading enterprises, 39 cooperative demonstration units, and 52 provincial forestry brands. Specialty products like Zichuan toon, Boshan Chishang chestnuts, and Linzi Xanthoceras sorbifolium have gained recognition.
At Daiqingshan Selenium-Rich Ecological Park, the aroma of fruit fills the air as residents pick plums and early apples, enjoying mountain leisure. Alongside strengthening specialty fruit industries, Zibo cultivates green new business forms, leveraging premium mountain resources to create diverse forest recreation scenarios. To date, sites like Qishan, Daiqingshan, and the Yuan Mountain Forest Farm have been designated national forest health pilot bases, with various green industries flourishing.
Efficient Green Protection
Zhang Fugang, head of the Jingtong Forest Area at Zichuan State Forest Farm, begins his daily routine by preparing patrol gear and setting out on forest trails. For 15 years, he has monitored nearly 6,000 acres, meticulously checking for fire sources, tracking pests and diseases, and educating visitors on fire prevention—safeguarding this "natural oxygen bar" with every step. His dedication mirrors the countless front-line forest protectors in Zibo who steadfastly guard the mountains.
Relying on grassroots patrol forces, Zibo has built a comprehensive, modern forest and grassland governance system. The city deploys 5,345 forest chiefs at all levels, implementing a "one forest, one ranger, one technician, one officer" management mechanism. A collaborative "forest chief + prosecutor + ecological sheriff" model ensures coordinated management, oversight, and law enforcement. Using smart surveillance, observation towers, manual patrols, and satellite remote sensing, a multi-layered forest fire monitoring network enables all-weather detection and rapid response. Additionally, Zibo has signed a cross-regional prevention and control agreement with six neighboring cities, including Jinan and Tai'an, for the 15th Five-Year Plan period to combat major pests like the American white moth and pine wilt disease. This year, it has completed 490,500 acres of prevention operations, stably achieving the goal of "pests without disasters."
Amid new ecological challenges, the city's forestry focus is shifting to quality and efficiency. Yu Yien points out that land suitable for afforestation is nearly exhausted, limiting new planting space. Moving forward, Zibo will follow the "triple-green, four-reservoir integration" path to drive high-quality forestry development. It will implement ecological restoration projects such as abandoned mine reclamation, forest tending, and reserve forest construction to expand green space. Reforms to collective forest rights will be deepened to grow specialty fruits, understory economies, and forest health industries, smoothing channels for realizing ecological product value. The modern forest and grassland governance system will be enhanced, optimizing smart management, fire prevention, and cross-regional pest control mechanisms. This ensures a firm ecological safety bottom line, transforming ecological advantages into high-quality development momentum.