Xinzhu Botanical Garden of Hengduan Mountain was named so by botanists who had long conducted research in the Xinzhu village forest, paralleling the upper stream of the Yangtze River. It is a home to most of the plant species found in Hengduan Mountain, Southwest of China. However, the garden was severely degraded and many species were on the verge of extinction due to large-scale logging and over-exploitation over the past decades. A project was launched in 2017 to empower villagers to become a primary force for conserving, restoring and sustainably using the forest resources. A community-led patrol team was then set up. Villagers participated in the baseline survey led by botanists. With a greenhouse built to nurture genuine plants, restoration of in situ protection is carried out. Villagers’ engagement helps raise their awareness and ownership of the village forest. Eco-friendly livelihoods are promoted by providing training to villagers who breed Himalayan bees and plant endangered herbal medicines to raise incomes.