You’ve likely heard of the Great Wall of China, that stone and brick marvel of fortifications that stretches vast distances across the historical border of northern China. But have you heard of the Great Green Wall of China?

Unlike its ancient counterpart, this is a living, breathing wall of greenery — a massive tree-planting initiative aimed at combating desertification on the edge of the Gobi Desert.

Recently, the Great Green Wall reached a pivotal milestone, marking over four decades of relentless effort to transform arid landscapes into thriving ecosystems.