In the diverse context of village development, Lin Yue has become increasingly aware that culture and ecology, like twin lotus blossoms, intertwine and nourish each other, forming the source of the village's unique charm and enduring vitality. The ancient agricultural culture passed down for millennia and the simple, authentic folk customs are like dazzling pearls hidden in the long river of time, waiting to be unearthed, polished, and then inlaid into the tapestry of village ecotourism and education, allowing them to radiate new brilliance and illuminate the village's path forward.

Lin Yue strolled through the ancient streets and alleys of the village, the bluestone pavement beneath her feet seeming to whisper tales of the past. She entered traditional farmhouses, engaging in heartfelt conversations with the village elders, exploring the cultural treasures hidden by time. In the home of a respected elder, she saw exquisite paper-cuts, vividly depicting scenes of rural labor and bountiful harvests. Every cut and stroke was imbued with the villagers' deep affection for the land and their hopes for a better life. The elder slowly explained, "These paper-cuts have been passed down from our ancestors. They were displayed during festivals, weddings, and other celebrations, symbolizing good fortune and the hope for a bountiful harvest." Lin Yue's eyes sparkled with surprise and emotion. She knew these paper-cuts were not merely folk art, but a vivid interpretation of the village's agricultural culture and ecological philosophy.

The village also boasts an ancient temple, which, despite enduring countless storms and vicissitudes, still stands strong. The temple enshrines the gods of land and grain, and every spring planting season, villagers come to offer sacrifices, praying for favorable weather and fertile land. Lin Yue participated in one such ceremony. Seeing the villagers' devout faces and hearing the ancient and solemn incantations, a sense of awe welled up within her. She realized that this ritual was not merely a religious belief, but also a testament to the villagers' respect and gratitude for nature, a spiritual bond that bound them to harmony with the natural world.

To integrate these cultural elements into ecotourism, Lin Yue meticulously planned a series of unique tourism projects. She organized villagers to form a traditional handicraft performance team, regularly demonstrating the processes of traditional handicrafts such as paper cutting, weaving, and embroidery within the tourist area. Tourists can participate personally, learning paper cutting techniques from the villagers and weaving a beautiful bamboo basket themselves, experiencing the unique charm of traditional handicrafts. Statistics show that since the introduction of these traditional handicraft performances, tourists' average stay in the scenic area has increased by about 2-3 hours, and tourist satisfaction has also significantly improved. Over 90% of tourists expressed great interest in these traditional handicraft performances and were willing to recommend them to friends and family.

Meanwhile, Lin Yue also restored some of the village's ancient buildings, transforming them into a folk museum and a traditional agricultural culture exhibition hall. The folk museum displays various ancient farming tools, daily necessities, and folk costumes, telling visitors about the village's historical changes and folk customs through physical exhibits and illustrated explanations. The traditional agricultural culture exhibition hall showcases the entire farming process from sowing to harvest, as well as agricultural activities and traditional farming techniques in different seasons. For example, visitors can see an ancient waterwheel irrigation model, learning how villagers use water power for farmland irrigation; they can also see traditional threshing tools, experiencing the joy and hardship of farmers during a bountiful harvest. The opening of these exhibition halls has attracted a large number of tourists to visit and learn, becoming a new highlight of the village's ecotourism.

In education, Lin Yue actively promotes educational practices that integrate culture and ecology in the school. She and the school's teachers co-authored a set of locally-themed ecological culture textbooks, incorporating ancient village legends, agricultural culture, and ecological customs. For example, in the chapter on ecological balance, the textbooks introduce traditional village customs regarding forest protection and wildlife conservation, helping children understand the importance of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Beyond classroom teaching, students are organized to conduct field research activities. They go into the fields to observe the growth process of crops and understand the operation of ecological agriculture; they visit ancient buildings to explore the village's historical and cultural relics; and they interview village elders to record ecological folk tales that are on the verge of being lost. Through these practical activities, the children gain a deeper understanding and awareness of their hometown's culture and ecology, and their environmental awareness and cultural confidence are greatly enhanced.

Once, the school organized a painting competition on the theme of ecological culture. The children used their paintbrushes to depict the villages in their hearts: farmers working diligently in golden rice paddies; villagers holding sacrificial ceremonies in front of ancient temples; children playing and frolicking by clear streams, surrounded by lush forests and free-roaming animals. These paintings were full of childlike innocence and imagination, and fully demonstrated the children's love for their hometown's culture and ecology. Looking at these paintings, Lin Yue felt a deep sense of satisfaction. She knew that the seeds of culture and ecology had been planted in the children's hearts, and that they would surely take root, sprout, and grow strong in the future.

Lin Yue also emphasizes integrating cultural and ecological elements into the construction of public spaces in the village. In the village square, she designed a sculpture themed around agricultural culture, depicting farmers working in the fields and sowing seeds of hope, inspiring villagers to inherit the hardworking and simple spirit of agriculture. Along the village roads, cultural information boards have been set up, showcasing the village's ecological beauty, traditional customs, and ecological protection knowledge, allowing villagers and tourists to experience the atmosphere of culture and ecology as they walk through the village.

The integration of culture and ecology has injected new vitality into the village's traditional festivals. Take the village's harvest festival as an example; previously, it was simply a celebration of the harvest and a feast. Now, under Lin Yue's planning, the harvest festival has become a grand cultural and ecological feast. On the day of the festival, villagers, dressed in traditional costumes, carry flower-decorated sedan chairs adorned with harvest fruits, parading through the village's streets and alleys, showcasing the fruits of their year's labor. Simultaneously, several cultural and ecological experience areas have been set up. Visitors can learn ancient harvesting techniques by the rice paddies and participate in traditional threshing activities; taste fresh fruit in the orchards and learn about fruit preservation and processing methods; and enjoy folk performances featuring local song and dance, such as dances depicting farmers' work and sacrificial dances praying for favorable weather. It is estimated that during the harvest festival, the village's tourist arrivals have increased nearly threefold compared to the same period in previous years, and tourism revenue has also increased significantly, not only boosting the sales of local agricultural products but also promoting the development of surrounding catering and accommodation industries.

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