An aerial view of Xingchi village, Dalun town, Jiangyan district. [Photo/WeChat account: jyrmzf]
A 500-mu (about 33.33 hectares) seedling base planted with more than 50 tree species now stands as a symbol of ecological transformation in Xingchi village, Dalun town, Jiangyan district.
In 2018, the Taizhou Transportation Industry Group invested over 10 million yuan ($1.49 million) to rehabilitate abandoned land and create a high-standard nursery. The once-idle plots have become an evergreen forest that drives local green industry and rural vitalization.
Making good use of the woodland, the village has developed a 60-mu mushroom garden in cooperation with the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, growing six high-quality varieties that are expected to generate 150,000 yuan in annual collective income.
More than 600 free-range chickens are also raised under the trees, forming a circular ecological chain.
The improved environment has further supported wellness tourism and cultural projects, including health bases, shared gardens and forest study programs.
In 2025, the village's collective income exceeded 2 million yuan, completing its shift from a weak village to a prosperous one and offering a clear example of turning ecological resources into lasting economic strength.