Since 2007, Shanghai Roots & Shoots has been planting trees in Inner Mongolia to stop desertification and benefit the locals. It has been a long and hard journey, but we have been able to make a difference with the public support and the efforts of our staff and volunteers.
自2007年起，上海根与芽的百万植树计划在内蒙古展开，以防止土地沙漠化，为当地居民带来福祉。植树造林是一个公认的漫长且艰辛的过程，但在公众的大力支持及员工、志愿者的积极努力下，内蒙的植树工作已取得了一定成效。
Over the years, our annual tree planting trip has always been an exciting time and this year was no different.
Throughout April 2016, trips were held for 200 volunteers to travel to Inner Mongolia for planting. 1961 trees had been planted, which covers an area of 2.33 Hectares and 5000 Poplars planted in 2012 had been pruned.
每年的内蒙植树行也成为项目的一大特色活动。今年四月，前后共有近200名志愿者飞抵内蒙古参与植树活动，总计种植1961棵树，占地面积35亩，并对2012年杨树林地进行了修枝养护，总计修枝5000棵。
Each trip lasts 4 days and 3 nights, with each day holding a slew of activities. Through diligent work, volunteers had a better understanding of the local environment problems and the importance of tree planting in local area. The process, although simple, has always made a great impact on everyone.
These trips have always been meaningful and we are eager to share it with more and more individuals. 2016 is the 10th year of the Million Tree Project and we are about to achieve the second million goal later this year. The efforts that we are continually achieving is due to everyone’s hard work and generous support. We hope to get more people involved and bring more focus to the environment.
植树行持续4天3夜，每天有不同的主题活动。志愿者们在体验内蒙古风土人情的基础上，对当地环境问题有了进一步的认识，同时在辛劳中体验到植树造林的重要性和必要性。植树工作虽然并不复杂，四天的时间也很短暂，但此次活动却在每位参与者心中都留下深刻的印象。
每件小事都可以富有深意，根与芽也极力希望与更多人分享这样对环境有益的活动。2016年是百万植树计划的第十个年头，也即将完成第二个百万棵树的目标，我们今日的成果源于每位参与者的汗水与付出。我们也期待能有更多的人加入我们，将项目持续开展下去，为改变环境更多有益的改变。
DETAILS ON PLANTING/PRUNING TREES
Volunteers must measure, mark, and dig the holes before actually planting. Each hole needs to be 2.4 cm away from each other and the holes had to be deep enough for the roots system to grow; it also had to be in the form of a square. Once the sapling was put into the hole, volunteers need to refill the hole with soil and stomp firm in the hole. This year, local farmers helped us water all the trees after the planting was done.
Pruning was also a simple task. Using shears or a saw, volunteers had to cut competing branches off to make sure trees are growing more healthily.
植树及修枝细节
当栽种树木时，志愿者必须准确测量、标记、挖坑才能达到种植要求。按照今年的造林标准，树的间距为2.4米，为了让树根有充足的生长空间，植树的坑需为方形且要足够深。当树木成功栽种后，覆土并踏实。今年对林地的灌溉由当地农民统一完成。
修剪树木的过程也很简单，志愿者使用修枝剪或锯子修剪掉与主干竞争养分的枝桠，以确保树木健康生长。
