National Parks are a proven way to protect and celebrate a country’s remarkable natural heritage and also provide access for people to connect with, and learn about nature and ecosystems. From the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to the pristine forests of Yunnan, China has world-class natural landscapes. Since 2014, the Chinese government has been working to develop a system of national parks to protect and showcase this world-class natural heritage. There are national pilot parks in thirteen of China’s provinces.
The Paulson Institute is working in partnership with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the National Park Administration (NPA), and the Heren Foundation, to explore an optimum national park system model which draws on international best practices and fits the Chinese context. Our role is to provide technical support through innovative programs of policy research, capacity building, and demonstration of best management practices on the ground.