In recent years, Huai'an City has taken multiple measures to strengthen ecological protection and restoration, thereby enhancing its ecological sustainability.

First, the city has conducted scientific investigations to assess its ecological assets. By organizing comprehensive investigations on its biodiversity, the city has developed a robust biodiversity conservation plan. Its investigations have identified a total of 2,648 species, accounting for 38.36% of the province's total. Among them, 72 species are national key protected species, including eight national first-class protected species such as the oriental white stork. Additionally, 44 species are on the Jiangsu Province Biodiversity Red List, including seven first-class threatened species such as the Baer's pochard.

Second, the city has established systematic protection measures to lay a solid foundation for its ecological sustainability. It has rolled out key policy documents such as the Eco-Civilization Development Plan of Huai'an City (2021-2025) and the Implementation Rules for the Supervision and Management of the Control Areas of Ecological Space in Huai'an City. It has also advanced the implementation of major initiatives focused on protecting mountains, ensuring clean water, expanding forests, enriching agricultural land, and restoring lakes. Furthermore, it has actively promoted the development of "ecological island" pilot zones and ecological security buffer zones. Notably, the Tieshan Temple "Ecological Island" Pilot Zone in Xuyi County has been added to the provincial project database, and the ecological restoration of White Horse Lake has been recognized as one of the province's "Top Ten Exemplary Cases of Ecological Product Value Realization."

Third, the city emphasizes public participation in building a shared ecological home. The city has formed the "Six Together" Ecological and Environmental Protection Volunteer Service Alliance and initiated various activities such as "Bird Watching and Protection," "Wildlife Protection," and "Protecting the Mother River." These efforts aim to engage all sectors of society in collaboratively managing and enjoying Huai'an’s natural beauty. The initiative titled "Working Together to Build a Beautiful China—Huai'an City's Creation of the 'Six Together' Ecological and Environmental Protection Volunteer Service Brand" was selected into the Practical Cases of Eco-Civilization Development in the New Era compiled by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the "Ten Articles for Citizens" Environmental Protection Primer received recognition as an outstanding work in national ecological environment publicity and education.