As the first light of dawn breaks through the sky, the world is refreshed anew. Rivers return to the sea, and green hues envelop the mountains. Just as Homer once said, “Every person can find the extraordinary in the ordinary.” It is because there are still corners of the world that need to be seen that great public welfare pioneers courageously embark on their journeys. Every step they take is for a better protection of the natural environment. Each public welfare advocate contributes not only through their actions, but also by igniting a deep sense of environmental responsibility in their hearts, safeguarding the home we all share.
ICSO Outstanding Volunteer
Personal Profile:
Name: Gao Xiang
University: National University of Singapore
Major: Computer Science
Department: ICSO·UK (United Kingdom Branch)
Before being admitted to the National University of Singapore, Gao Xiang studied in the United Kingdom. While attending Westminster School, he read an article published by ICSO in local media, calling for attention to rare plant species and promoting urban greening through tree planting initiatives. Having always had a fascination with plants and a keen interest in environmental issues, he took the initiative to apply and join the ICSO·UK branch.
During the first phase of the “Affection for All Green” project, Gao Xiang and the team visited local schools. Through the screening of public welfare videos, image exhibitions, and live Q&A sessions, they educated students on the abnormal growth patterns and causes affecting trees. Gao stood out in the team by delivering insightful explanations covering measurement methods, growth conditions, soil environments, and phenological changes.
His detailed and engaging explanations not only deepened the students’ understanding of tree protection but also sparked their interest in environmental conservation. After the science outreach event, the team further introduced the students to the importance of protecting endangered and rare plant species. With vivid presentations and interactive engagement, students significantly increased their awareness of biodiversity conservation. To further assess the students’ environmental awareness, they conducted a survey, compiled the data, and analyzed the results to evaluate the current local attitudes toward environmental protection.
After accumulating a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge, Gao Xiang actively participated in the second phase of the “Affection for All Green” project. During the group tree planting campaign, he was personally involved in every step — from site selection and digging tree pits, to ordering saplings, planting, and subsequent tree care. He completed the entire planting task with high quality and efficiency. Later, he also volunteered to take on the maintenance work for the city’s lakeside greenway. Even in the scorching heat, he was often seen diligently at work — trimming branches, watering, fertilizing, and even treating plant diseases and pests. To everyone’s surprise, he handled all of it with remarkable skill. Under his careful care, the roadside plants thrived.
He even went door-to-door to promote environmental awareness, encouraging citizens to protect urban greenery and collectively enhance the village environment. Inspired by his actions, more and more local residents joined the green initiative and became part of the environmental volunteer community.
At the end of the campaign, he shared his heartfelt reflection:
“I’ve come to realize that protecting the environment is not just a slogan — it’s something each of us can contribute to through concrete actions. I believe that only by personally engaging in such hard work can one truly understand the meaning and value of protecting nature. From planting each tree to spreading awareness, I want to demonstrate my commitment to environmental stewardship through real action.”
In the midst of the global environmental crisis, Gao Xiang embodies the true responsibility and mission of an environmental guardian. During the “Affection for All Green” project, he participated in tree conservation and rare plant awareness campaigns for over 300 hours. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to environmental protection, we are proud to honor him with the “Environmental Protection Pioneer” award. His youthful spirit, courage, and unwavering effort continue to inspire us all to cherish and protect our beautiful planet.