[Video/ntfabu.com]

An art exhibition themed on the protection of spoon-billed sandpipers in the Yangtze River Delta region was held at the Rudong Experimental Middle School in Rudong county, Nantong on June 4.

A total of 68 artists displayed 680 works, including traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings, sculptures, traditional handicrafts, and photos, all of which were themed on the protection of spoon-billed sandpipers and the marine environment. 

Organizers said that the works will later be exhibited in Nantong, Suzhou, and Shanghai.

During the event, more than 2,000 students also showcased their paintings of spoon-billed sandpipers and stood in a 68-meter-diameter shape of the bird, aiming to raise people's awareness of environmental protection.

The spoon-billed sandpiper is a migratory bird from Russia's Far East region that visits coastal areas in Jiangsu, including Dongtai in Yancheng and Rudong in Nantong, during their migration every year.

There are less than 1,000 spoon-billed sandpipers left in the world, according to Li Jing, founder of "spoon-billed sandpipers in China", a non-government organization for protecting the birds.

To protect the birds' habitat, Nantong has established three wetland reserves in Rudong and restored about 44 hectares of wetland for water birds.

Local fine arts teachers have also set up 12 bird clubs throughout Nantong and Lianyungang, aiming to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting spoon-billed sandpipers through exhibitions, science education, painting, handicrafts, and field research.