“A thread of green lingers in the heart, bringing all things to life; with every leaf, brilliance grows across the vast land. As the cuckoo once said, ‘Every leaf holds the secrets of nature.’ Because countless precious plants are on the brink of extinction, true guardians step forward with unwavering resolve. May every one of their actions go beyond collecting samples and recording data, and become seeds of hope for these rare plants—carrying forth a belief in protection. May every volunteer not only fulfill their duties through data collection but also ignite a deep love for nature in their hearts, guarding our green treasures through concrete actions.”
ICSO Outstanding Volunteer
Personal Profile:
Ran Min
University College London, Biomedical Sciences
Department: ICSO UK Division
During her summer program in the UK, Ran Min actively joined the second phase of the “The Love of All Things Spring” project, organized by the ICSO UK Division. In this project, she was responsible for editing articles to be published in local British media. Once she took on this task, she spent nearly every day in libraries and various online databases, meticulously searching for academic papers, research reports, and historical literature related to plant specimens.
She encountered several challenges during the process. Some documents were difficult to access and required navigating specialized academic networks or contacting research institutions; others were outdated and needed to be retrieved through international postal services. To ensure accuracy, she often stayed up late alone, double-checking data to make sure every piece of literature was precisely and seamlessly integrated into her writing.
To better raise awareness for the protection of endangered plants, Ran Min not only described the basic characteristics of these species in her articles but also drew from a wide range of research. She analyzed data from various studies, introduced diverse perspectives, and explored the social and economic implications of endangered plants, as well as their invaluable medicinal properties. Her goal was to urge the public to cherish our natural environment and pay attention to these rare and special species.
After accumulating extensive knowledge of plant specimens, Ran Min once again actively participated in a collaborative project between ICSO UK, British governmental departments, and academic institutions. She contributed to the collection and analysis of over 800 plant samples.
From planning collection sites to conducting fieldwork, she spared no effort. Even in stormy weather, she would wear waterproof gear, gloves, and a hat, trekking through slippery forest floors, muddy wetlands, and rugged mountain paths. She carefully recorded each plant’s growth status and environmental conditions, thoroughly examined every specimen to ensure accurate documentation, and delicately preserved and labeled each sample for further analysis. The entire process demanded tremendous patience and attention to detail. After completing this demanding work, she gained a profound understanding of both the complexity and significance of environmental conservation.
She reflected:
“Participating in such a large-scale plant collection and research effort allowed me to truly realize how every small effort is vital in protecting our ecosystem. The hardships faced in the wind and rain, the meticulous sample-handling process—these strengthened my commitment to plant conservation. This experience taught me the importance of combining scientific research with practical action in environmental protection. Every data point and every record is more than just a number; it represents our dedication to preserving ecological balance for the future. I hope this love and persistence for nature can inspire more people to care about and get involved in environmental conservation, so we can safeguard our beautiful planet together.”
Throughout the “Love of All Things Green” project, Ran Min accumulated over 400 hours of volunteer service. She was awarded the ICSO Three-Star Youth Volunteer Honor. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to plant protection and scientific research, she was also presented with the Outstanding Environmental Contribution Award, honoring her efforts in advancing plant conservation and environmental awareness.
Finally, she documented these experiences and honors in her application essays, which not only enriched her study abroad materials but also played a key role in her successful admission to the Biomedical Sciences program at University College London.