The 7th Shanghai International Nature Conservation Festival kicked off in the city on Saturday and will last until Oct 29.

Themed on celebrating diversity and building an ecological city, the festival will feature science popularization activities where the public can visit venues related to environmental protection and read science books.

The festival also provides opportunities for children to create picture books while observing species in nature, carry out plant surveys at school to draft plant maps, and grow potted fruits and vegetables at home.

Citizens can also walk through parks and along the sidewalks on the banks of the Suzhou Creek to explore the ecological development in the city. Zoos, gardens and nature reserves will launch a series of science popularization activities to engage the public in the beauty of nature during the festival as well.

A week-long exhibition showcasing 120 photos of nature scenes in the city taken by members of the public is being held at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum to raise awareness of nature conservation.

In addition, 30 nature films will be shown to the public at local venues including the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the China Maritime Museum, and the Estuary Science and Technology Museum of Yangtze River Shanghai.

Hu Yanbin, a local singer who is serving as the ambassador of the festival this year, shared his insights into a low-carbon life and an ecological city.

"Shanghai has pedestrian walkways alongside the Huangpu river for jogging at night. The Suzhou Creek is cleaner with birds flying above the water's surface. I believe this is the epitome of an ideal ecological city we desire," he said.

Hu also called on the public to pursue eco-friendly means of transportation and consumption to protect biodiversity and contribute to China's peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality goals.