Spreading awareness of ecological protection

1. Ecological settlement

To create a friendly ecological environment in the park, STSP Bureau created the first artificial wetland conservation ecological zone next to Xiake Lake in Tainan Science Park. It is the second ecological protection zone in Taiwan to obtain legal basis. It has different types of habitats such as grassland, shrubs, pools, ditches and so on. Kaohsiung Science Park also has an ecological protection zone in response to the development of the new park area. It is planned to reserve an area of 1.45 hectares of habitat in Chiayi Park and 0.8 hectares in Pingtung Science Park to restore Phasianus colchicus and Tyto longimembris respectively. This will not only create a technology corridor, but also form a Southern Taiwan Ecological Corridor.

The Bureau entrusts an ecological survey team to carry out regular ecological survey, including amphibian and terrestrial plants and animals, to analyze data on changes in the number of species and populations. In particular, the breeding of protected birds was observed and recorded. Among the birds observed, 6 species and 7 species are the protected bird announced by Council of Agriculture (not in the IUCN Red List) in Tainan Science Park and Kaohsiung Science Park respectively, and the species include Glareola maldivarum, Lanius cristatus, Rostratula benghalensis, Elanus caeruleus, Phasianus colchicus, Falco tinnunculus, and so on.

In addition, the development of the Ciaotou Science Park not only focuses on the development of the technology industry, but also takes into account environmental conservation. Ciaotou Science Park uses the Gunshuiping Mud Volcano Park for environmental optimization to create a habitat suitable for Tyto longimembris. In addition, the Kaohsiung Science Park expanded the off-site and planned a nearly 20-hectare ex situ conservation for Tyto longimembris. In 2022 and 2023, we successfully found Tyto longimembris on the perches in the park. STSP Bureau actively implements the follow-up work for the conservation and monitoring of the Tyto longimembris. In addition, the Tyto longimembris Preservation Promotion Team has been established to make rolling reviews of the effectiveness of the conservation. It is hoped that the Tyto longimembris can become a symbol of Ciaotou Science Park, creating an industrial cluster where technology and environmental conservation coexist.

2. Disclosure of Park Ecological Information

On the roads park employees must use to and from work every day, and at every corner in the science park, many small creatures are inhabiting. To promote ecological conservation and restoration, the Bureau actively shares the ecological information through online media and introduce common species in the park with interesting pictures, texts, or videos, enabling the public to have a glimpse of the ecological resources and the wonders of nature. The concept of environmental conservation in the science park can also be promoted.

3. Environmental Education

STSP Bureau continues to organize environmental education and related activities that incorporate issues of water pollution control, waste reduction, natural environment exploration and disaster and flood prevention. Nanke Environment Education Park developed 4 courses, namely Source of Life – Water, Garbage Magician, Nature Explorer, and Rain and Me.

We actively develop in-school environmental education courses, and turn the two sets of courses of Garbage Magician and Origin of Life – Water into Mobile Teaching Boxes, the Water Drop Hero and Garbage Explorer courses respectively. In addition, the content of the Garbage Magician course has been added to high schools and vocational schools, and trial teaching activities have been held jointly with the high schools and vocational schools in the park. In 2023, a total of 33 environmental education courses were held, with a total of 1,116 participants. More diverse environmentally friendly concepts and measures will be introduced to create a sustainable green park.

4. Eco-Tour Activity

The Science Park has spared no efforts in promoting the concepts and actions of nature conservation. Therefore, it is hoped that colorful ecological experience can be enjoyed without destroying the natural environment so that we can get to know the preciousness and fragility of the protected areas and the biodiversity in Taiwan and further to take concrete and feasible eco-friendly actions in our lives. The eco-tour activity was held in 2023, with a total of 80 participants.

Related link: Biological corridor (https://www.stsp.gov.tw/web/WEB/Jsp/Page/cindex.jsp?frontTarget=DEFAULT&thisRootID=131)