Friends of Nature

Founded in 1993, Friends of Nature is one of the earliest environmental protection organization in China. Their mission is to promote environmental protection through education, saving energy, building ecosystems and law and policy promotion, with wishes to reconnect people with nature and foster the growth of green citizens. This organization also aims to create a platform for public participation in order to embed environmental considerations into the public awareness.

Until 2021, Friends of Nature has 22 membership groups in China and three workgroups in Beijing. The “Friends of Nature Environmental Research Center” aims to educate and mobilize the public in cities to reduce trash and carbon emission and supervise pollutants. The “Friends of Nature Charity Foundation” is a public foundation registered in 2013 to support Chinese grassroot organizations and research institutes to cooperate for the aim of encouraging public action and lobbying for policy change. The “Gaia School of Nature” is a professional institution focused on environmental education, providing human resources and teaching materials.

Ongoing projects of Friends of Nature are categorized into three main focuses. Firstly, for public mobilization, Friends of Nature offers short-term “micro-experiences” as well as large scale initiatives to train and engage activists. Secondly, Friends of Nature advocates for legal and policy change through advocacy and participation in major environmental events. Thirdly, “Gaia School” is a branch that opens educational programs to adults and the youth.

Major Funders

SEE Foundation, Beijing Beineng Guanli (management) Zixun (Consulting) Youxian (Lt.) Gongsi (Co,), German EED Foundation, Department of Cultural and Science and Technology of France Embassy, Hao Ran Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, American Bar Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, MISEREOR Foundation, Narada Foundation, One Foundation, Delta Environmental & Educational Foundation, Vanke Charity Foundation, Vantone Foundation, PAMC Health Foundation, Cultural and Education Section British Embassy, YouChangeEntrepreneur Foundation

Major Partners

Beijing Diqiu (Global) Cun (Village), Daerwen (Darwin) Ziran(Nature) Qiuzhi (Keen for Knowledge) She(Group), the Natural Conservancy (TNC), Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, EnviroFriends Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Green Earth Volunteers