Tang Zhansheng explains the ecological and environmental conditions of Jiulong Mountain to visiting students. [Photo/WeChat account: SC-News]

With the opening of the science popularization and education center at the Jiulong Mountain National Nature Reserve – in Suichang county, Lishui, in East China's Zhejiang province – young graduate and employee Tang Zhansheng found his calling as a science guide and influencer for visitors.

In 2019, Tang, who just graduated from Zhejiang Normal University with a master's degree in ecology, became a researcher at the Jiulong Mountain research station.

Tang first came to Jiulong Mountain in 2017 as a student, together with his tutor and other botanists. "I was really impressed by the environment and the rich varieties of plants and animals there and I believed it would be an ideal place for me to do research after graduation," Tang said.

Though it takes more than two hours to drive from the county seat to Jiulong Mountain and the roads are bumpy and steep, Tang has never regretted his decision to work there.

But due to the shortage of staff at the Jiulong Mountain research station, Tang has to do a number of jobs. He not only has to go up to the mountain to monitor wildlife and collect animal and plant specimens, but sometimes has to assist visiting research teams from colleges and universities. He also participates in the compilation of relevant books.

He does not limit himself to his field of botany, but also studies zoology on his own and works at improving his photography, aerial photography and other related skills.

"I want to fill the vacancies in other fields in the reserve through my continuous learning," Tang said.