"If I was in the Shan Shui team I could only offer a little help because I am not a professional, but in the school I can share information with the students about their hometown and the outside world and try my best to help them gain some awareness for environmental protection," he said.

Like many other volunteers, Shen refused to use the word "teaching" to describe their activities. "My goal is simply to share with them some information and bring them some happiness."

Ren Shihai, a 38-year-old volunteer from Beijing, received the same feeling of happiness when students enthusiastically responded to him while he spoke about rivers and mountains in Sanjiangyuan and why it is important to protect them.

Zhaxi Bading, a 13-year-old Tibetan student, said he learnt something new during Ren's class.

"I know the rivers that run through the region but I did not know their effects on the environment of the lower reaches."

"I am proud that my home province is beautiful and I will protect it," said Zhaxi, adding that he would share the knowledge with his friends and family members.

"They are happy to learn anything about their hometown and the outside world and I am happy to offer something for those children eager to learn," said Ren.

Tsering Bum, a 30-year-old Tibetan expert at the Shan Shui conservation center, said the projects were important for the local community.

He said adults were keen to protect their sacred mountains and lakes as well as all animals and plants due to their religious beliefs.

"They believe all beings are equal. You can sometimes see Tibetans sweeping caterpillars off roads to prevent them being killed by vehicles," said Tsering, who joined Shan Shui in 2012 after he graduated from Reed College in Oregon, the United States.

However, new problems are emerging, including increasing amounts of plastic waste. Tsering said local people, many of whom are illiterate, do not know the effects their actions may have on the local environment and how to deal with such dangers.

He said he believes that the young can play a role. "They are eager and quick to learn new things so they can help solve such problems."

Based on textbooks from Shan Shui and BMW, volunteers helped students in Zaduo's middle schools learn how to help protect the local environment, including the best ways to dispose of waste.

They also used movies and games to share information on the ecological system of the Sanjiangyuan region, including grassland deterioration, to help them develop awareness of environmental protection.

"This is like teaching people how to fish, which is more effective than giving them fish," said Ren.