Ronald Sakolsky who supported China's desertification control efforts visits China's National Museum in Beijing(1/5)

Ronald Sakolsky, who once supported China's desertification control efforts, visits China’s National Museum in Beijing, Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)

Twenty-six years ago, while in China on a teaching exchange program, Sakolsky raised 5,000 U.S. dollars to support the tree-planting efforts of Chinese desertification advocate Yin Yuzhen. With the funds, Yin and her family went on to plant more than 50,000 trees and created a forest in the desert.

Ronald Sakolsky, who once supported China's desertification control efforts, visits China’s National Museum in Beijing, Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)

Ronald Sakolsky, who once supported China's desertification control efforts, visits China’s National Museum in Beijing, Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)

Ronald Sakolsky, who once supported China's desertification control efforts, visits China’s National Museum in Beijing, Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)

Ronald Sakolsky, who once supported China's desertification control efforts, visits China’s National Museum in Beijing, Aug. 30, 2026. (Photo: China News Service/Fu Tian)