A forum was held Oct 19-23 in Hangzhou on nature and education, luring educational professionals from China, Germany, Japan and Singapore to discuss the relationship between nature education and the all-round healthy development of teenagers.

The event, co-hosted by the China Wildlife Conservation Association and Hangzhou-based Wildness of the Earth Nature Education School, highlighted the harmonious symbiosis between human beings and nature, with experts from home and abroad discussing their latest academic results on nature education.

"Children in China should be encouraged to more actively approach Mother Nature, and undertake more experiencing and interactive activities to realize a harmonious co-existence with nature," said Yin Feng, an official with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

Statistics show that in Japan there are currently over 3,700 educational agencies focusing on nature education, providing facilities and outdoor venues on the subject. In Germany, over 1,500 forest kindergartens were launched so children can learn about nature in a relaxed atmosphere.