by Project Student, Joy
Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages Social Responsibility Practice Program — The "OUR TOWN Community Sustainability Cross-Domain Co-Creation Platform Program" launched community-related activities this semester. To help participants learn more about Shoushan's natural environment and the Formosan macaque, Shoushan National Park will hold an event called "Walking with Monkeys" on July 10. This event aims to let participants explore Shoushan, get close to the macaques, and learn about conservation.
Established in 2009, Shoushan National Park is one of Taiwan's youngest national parks. The park has many natural features, including limestone formations, caves, waterfalls, and diverse plants and animals. Its geology is made up of elevated coral reefs at about 355 meters above sea level. These reefs used to be underwater but were lifted up by the movement of the earth's crust, forming the hills we see today. About 1.8 million years ago (early Pleistocene), southern Taiwan was still covered by the sea. Over time, mud settled on the seafloor, creating the Gutingkeng Formation, which is the largest and thickest layer from the Pleistocene in southern Taiwan.
Besides its natural beauty, Shoushan is an important home for Formosan macaques. The park has many hiking trails that attract hikers. Visitors should be careful with their food and valuables, as the macaques might take them. Shoushan also has historical sites like Japanese air-raid shelters and indigenous relics, adding cultural and historical value.
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.
Shoushan National Park regularly holds environmental education activities to encourage public participation and raise awareness about protecting the environment. The park's goal is not only to protect the area's natural resources but also to help local communities develop through ecotourism, achieving both conservation and economic growth. Shoushan National Park is a key area for ecological protection and an ideal place for tourism, education, and research.
