The club has so far recruited more than 300 on-campus volunteers and 1,700 off-campus ones.

"Dong's project has become quite influential in the area, and he deserves the name river chief, said Zhang Yong, director of the district agriculture, animal husbandry and water resources bureau.

"I hope that through my efforts, the students will come to know their hometown better and love it more — and that they will build up their awareness of saving resources and protecting the environment," Dong said.

Liu Hailin contributed to this story.