(240503) -- FUXIN, May 3, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Hou Gui plants saplings in the woods in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 1, 2024. Hou Gui, over 70 years old, is a villager in Liujia Village of Sihecheng Town in Zhangwu County, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Living at the southern edge of Horqin sandy land, Hou has planted more than 200,000 trees on 2,400 mu (160 hectares) of sandy land over the past 20-plus years. Hou began afforesting in 2001. He raised funds, cultivated saplings suitable for growing in sandy land, dissuaded villagers from entering woods to graze, and keeps patrolling the woods twice a day. Over the years, Hou has witnessed the improvement of the ecological environment and the public's awareness of forest protection. A green barrier against wind and sand has been built on the southern edge of the Horqin sandy land. (Xinhua/Li Gang)