On June 5, 2004, nearly 100 entrepreneurs initiated the establishment of the SEE Conservation in the Tengger Desert of Alagxa League, Inner Mongolia — China's first social organization that takes social responsibility (Society) as its mission, with entrepreneurs (Entrepreneur) as its main body, and ecological protection (Ecology) as its goal.
In order to build a strategic support system for the sustainable development of environmental protection public welfare, and to facilitate the systematic and long-term development of environmental projects, SEE Conservation and its members have established 8 foundations, focusing on desertification control, climate change and business sustainability, coastal wetland protection, biodiversity protection, nature education, Yangtze River protection, green supply chains, industrial development and other relevant environmental issues. With over 2-billion-yuan accumulative fundraising income, these institutions have joined hands with more than 1,200 Chinese civil society organizations and individuals to conduct environmental public welfare activities.
In 2008, SEE Conservation initiated the SEE foundation in Beijing (which later became a public fundraising foundation in 2014), implementing projects including the “100 Million Suosuo” initiative for desertification prevention and control, “Green Startups” and “Growing Up Together” programs to nurture civilian-initiated environmental protection forces. In 2012, SEE Conservation founded the Mangrove Conservation Foundation (MCF), China's first publicly funded environmental protection foundation initiated by civil society, creating a replicable model for coastal wetland protection in China. In 2016, SEE Conservation founded the Hubei Changjiang Conservation Foundation (CCF) to facilitate the national strategy of “Yangtze River Protection”.
In 2017, SEE Conservation founded the Xi'an Entrepreneurs Environmental Protection Foundation to protect the ecology of Qinling, a major chain of mountains in Central China. In 2018, SEE Conservation launched Shenzhen Aleshan Foundation, which brings entrepreneurs’ resourcefulness and innovative spirit into full play, and provides sustainable support for public welfare organizations and projects. In 2021, SEE Conservation founded Guangdong Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Guangxi Conservation Foundation (GCF), focusing on the Guangdong and Guangxi regions to promote natural resource protection and ecological restoration, supporting green development. In 2023, SEE Conservation launched Jiangxi Poyang Lake Conservation Foundation, aiming to explore effective conservation paths for rare and endangered species and wetland ecosystems, contributing to the national strategy of “Yangtze River Protection”.
To date, SEE Conservation and its affiliated organizations have been awarded titles including the National Exemplary Social Organization, Beijing Social Organization Demonstration Base, and the 5A Level organization in China Social Organization Evaluation Grade. We have also received honors such as “Beautiful China, I'm a Participant-Top Ten Public Engagement Cases”, the Mother River Award of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, the “Ford Conservation & Environmental Grants, China” (CEGC), the Paulson Prize for Sustainability, Top Ten Hotspots of China's Public Welfare and Charity (2008-2018), and the China-Europe Top Ten Green Foundations Award.
After twenty one years of development, SEE Conservation has entered a new phase, further driving and integrating entrepreneur resources and social capital to promote innovative environmental public welfare activities. By carrying out the Green Belt and Road Initiative and “One Vertical, One Horizontal” strategy, SEE Conservation is determined to call for the support and participation of a wider public, establishing a public environmental platform for civic engagement to jointly protect our environment.