In the wilderness, every leaf bears the mark of life, and every plant is a gift from nature. In an era of accelerating globalization and urbanization, the living space of rare plants is increasingly squeezed. Protecting these plants has become a critical topic in ecological conservation.
In this challenging mission, volunteers of the “In the Mood for Green” project by the international NGO ICSO are passionately safeguarding the most fragile forms of life native to the UK. Through research, documentation, and practical actions, they are giving endangered plants a chance at rebirth—and bringing hope to more people about nature conservation.
ICSO Outstanding Volunteer
Ren Wei
University College London, major in Education
Affiliation: ICSO UK Branch
As a first-year student in the UK, Ren Wei brought his camera to a nature reserve in the Cotswolds to photograph the serene countryside landscape. During the shoot, he unintentionally discovered a habitat of rare plants that had been trampled by tourists. Large swaths of wild orchids had withered, with only a few stubborn Gymnadenia conopsea still standing. This scene made Ren realize that although the UK’s natural environment is beautiful, it is also under serious threat from human activity.
After returning to London, Ren began researching the current status of rare plant species online. He came across an ICSO UK research article published in the media and proactively contacted the organization. He shared his discovery and expressed a desire to use photography to document and raise awareness about plant conservation. After several rounds of communication, Ren officially joined ICSO UK’s “In the Mood for Green” rare plant research project.
After joining, Ren integrated his photography skills with the mission of protecting rare plants. Alongside his teammates, he visited rural villages and remote towns across the UK to investigate the survival conditions of native rare flora. In places like the Cotswolds, the Scottish Highlands, and Cornwall, Ren used his lens to capture the beauty and plight of these rare plants. He documented grasslands eroded by agricultural expansion and ecological damage caused by littering tourists. These images were uploaded online to deliver a visual warning of the ecological crisis to the public.
During one field study in a remote Scottish wetland, Ren and the team discovered that Bromus benekenii (lesser hairy brome) was on the verge of extinction due to the drying of wetlands. They decided to construct a temporary irrigation system to give the endangered plant a fighting chance. The weather was harsh, with cold wind and rain making it hard to even stand, but Ren didn’t flinch. He carefully navigated the slippery, muddy ground, carrying over ten kilograms of equipment on his back. While helping to build the irrigation system, he also photographed the Bromus up close—its leaves, roots, and the cracked soil—aiming to faithfully capture the plant’s struggle for life.
During the construction, Ren took on the most physically demanding task: installing the water pump. He hauled the pump to the designated location and patiently adjusted it in the rain. When the water finally flowed into the dried-up area, he sighed in relief—but quickly turned to record the moving moment when the Bromus leaves began to unfurl after absorbing water. Despite freezing hands and soaked clothes, he continued adjusting the focus, not wanting to miss a single second.
To raise awareness of the Bromus crisis, Ren also spoke with local residents near the wetland. He patiently explained the importance of wetland ecosystems and showed his photographs, illustrating how the Bromus acts as an “indicator” of ecosystem health. Ren said, “Every lost Bromus signals another step in wetland degradation. Protecting them is protecting our shared home.”
After the fieldwork, Ren and his team decided to further raise public awareness of wetland conservation. They created a batch of eco-friendly signage calling on communities to protect wetlands. Ren contributed to the design, using concise language and vivid graphics like “Wetlands are cradles of life—don’t let them dry out” and “Save the Bromus, protect our future.” He emphasized legibility and visual impact, using his close-up shots as backgrounds to enhance emotional appeal. These signs were posted at key points around the wetland, including hiking trail entrances and local markets.
This experience deepened Ren’s understanding of wetland ecosystems and strengthened his commitment to nature conservation. He recalled: “Standing in the heart of the wetlands, watching these plants fight to survive in wind and rain, I realized that every small act of protection we make is a tribute to the gifts of nature.”
Soon after, Ren and his team continued research in the hilly coastal region of Cornwall. There, they encountered a sudden cold snap while studying the dwarf lily, a plant that can only survive in specific rock crevices. Braving the cold and rain, Ren persisted with over four hours of photography. His camera froze from the cold, but he used backup equipment to complete the critical documentation. These precious photos were later cited by the British Ecological Conservation Association as reference material for local vegetation protection policies. A local resident, deeply moved, joined ICSO UK as a volunteer and said, “Seeing those photos made me realize that the plants around us are alive too. I want to do what I can for them.”
Over the past year, Ren Wei has volunteered more than 400 hours, visited over ten nature reserves in the UK, and completed four major rare plant health assessment projects. Through his lens, he captured the natural beauty of the British countryside—and through his actions, helped preserve the survival of rare native plants.
Ren shared at the end: “Behind every plant is a microcosm of an entire ecosystem. Protecting them isn’t just about the present—it’s about our global future. I hope that through my photography, more people will see the beauty and fragility of these plants, and be inspired to protect them.”
For his contributions, Ren Wei was awarded the title of “Guardian of Green” by ICSO. His photographic works have been used as promotional materials at several international ecological conferences. Thanks to his efforts, more people have joined the mission to protect rare plants, and more residents of rural and remote towns across the UK have become aware of the importance of nature conservation. Ren has used his camera to document the power of green life—and his actions to deliver hope to our planet. He is undoubtedly a role model of today’s youth contributing to global ecological protection.