by Project Student, Amanda
On June 29, the Community Responsibility Practice Office of Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages held the third session of its themed events. During this event, members of the Foreign Language Guided Tour Community led participants to explore local attractions, delving into famous spots such as the Shoushan Forest Plaza, Zhongxing Pavilion, Guanlin Pavilion, and Xiangsi Pavilion.
The walking tour took place at the Shoushan Forest Plaza. This route included 13 main attractions. The first stop was presented by Yu Xin, a member of the Guided Tour Community, who introduced the unique geographical environment and ecological resources of Shoushan National Park. Located between Cijin Mountain, Shoushan, Guishan, Zuoying Old City, and Banpingshan, Shoushan National Park is renowned for its unique coral reef terrain and marine climate, as well as its abundant tropical and subtropical plant resources. Through the explanation, participants could gain a deeper understanding of Shoushan.
Shoushan is a national park jointly established by local government and private organizations. During the event, volunteer guide Yu-Ru introduced participants to various tour themes, including geology, ecology, Leave No Trace principles, and the tea-serving culture. She also delved into the various issues currently faced by the wildlife in Shoushan. For example, the main issue faced by Formosan macaques is the conflict in human-monkey relations; muntjacs are facing challenges related to their population ecology; additionally, the threat posed by stray animals to wildlife is also an important topic. Through these discussions, Yu-Ru provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of Shoushan's natural environment and conservation issues, emphasizing the importance of protecting the ecological environment and preserving animal habitats.
Before entering Shoushan, the guides specifically reminded the audience how to avoid contact with the local wildlife, particularly the monkeys, to prevent accidental injuries. Along the way, everyone passed by the habitat of the Taiwan Barbet, known for its five colors: green, red, yellow, blue, and black. During the journey, the program host, Mr. Lin Yicheng, introduced the group to the dragon scale fern. This plant, native to Southeast Asia, has a uniquely textured stem that, when gently touched and moved, feels different depending on the direction of the touch. Although its stem is not prickly, it feels both smooth and rough in different directions. The audience was also invited to touch the dragon scale fern on-site to experience its unique texture firsthand.
This event not only enhanced the audience's understanding through on-site visits but also fostered international exchange on the diverse ecology of Shoushan National Park. During the event, the macaques of Shoushan became another major highlight, drawing the attention of numerous participants. In the future, the program will continue to organize more community exchange activities to further promote the local culture of the Zuoying community.
The community members introduced Shoushan National Nature Park to the audience.
Teacher Lin interacted with the audience while introducing the Malaysia Scandens.
Luis explained the nests of the Five Color Woodpecker to the audience.
The community members explained to the audience the differences between artificial and natural plant growth methods.
Group photo of community members with the audience
