Jingtai Forest Farm，Northwest Forest Barrier for Sand of Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Period of Republic of China

In 1945, based on a proposal by many forest scientists on planting forests barriers for sand and wind to prevent desert southward invasion from north China, the Administrative Department of the Republic of China planned to establish forest farms in some areas in northwestern, northern and northeastern China, organized and implemented the project for prevention sand and wind. Jingtai Forest Farm for sand prevention in northwestern China was established in Nanking in Dec. 1947. Then the working personal of the farm set up agencies in Lanzhou City and Jingtai County of Gansu Province, searched and determined the site of the farm, investigated desert, psammophyte and forestland, popularized and propagandized ecological ideas, reclaimed nursery, nurtured seedlings, planted trees, started sand-barriers project. Due to funds shortage, poor natural conditions and lack of support by relevant departments, the farm operated with difficulty. For less than two years, it ended in gloom and was received by the government. Jingtai Forest Farm was the first national project of China to prevent the invasion of northern deserts, and was the rudiment and the first try of the Three-North Shelterbelt, and also was the beginning of specialized institutions for controlling desertification in Gansu Province.