BEIJING — Beijingers have taken part in various voluntary tree planting activities and planted over 200 million trees over the past 40 years, local authorities said on March 12.

China designated March 12 as National Tree Planting Day in 1979.

The national capital then created a voluntary tree planting day on the first weekend in April, according to the Beijing Gardening and Greening Bureau.

By the end of 2018, people living in Beijing have volunteered over 100 million times to participated in diverse tree planting campaigns, planting over 200 million trees.

Last year, residents in Beijing volunteered over 4 million times to take part in tree planting events, helping plant around 1 million trees.

The bureau plans to grow another 1 million trees this year. It said the city is now making preparations for the forthcoming tree planting day.

Currently, around 113 hectares of land have been allocated for tree planting, and 18 tree planting sites will be set up, according to Yang Zhihua, an official from the bureau.

The city will also set up sites, where volunteers are able to take care of trees and grasslands, providing regular watering, weeding and fertilization.

Meanwhile, Beijing will organize ancient tree adoption events, encouraging residents to protect and care for old trees across the city.

Beijing residents have made great contributions to the improvement of the city’s ecological environment, the bureau said.