The Taijiang National Park Headquarters (TJNP), under the Ministry of the Interior’s National Park Service, partnered with Tainan Community University Taijiang Campus to host the "2023 National Park Partnership Industry Experience and Exchange Conference" from November 2nd to 3rd this year. Nearly a hundred community partners, schools, NGOs, and colleagues from national (natural) parks came together to exchange experiences on conserving and upgrading local industries in a collaborative effort with the local community. This event marked the first major activity focusing on sustainable co-prosperity through partnerships since the National Park Service was established on September 20th.

 

Partnerships in Aquaculture and Salt Fields

Director Hsieh Wei-Song of the Taijiang National Park Headquarters pointed out that in line with Taijiang’s unique history of early settlers and the fishing and salt industries, this year’s theme was "Industry Experience." Two community industry experience tours were organized: Participants can either join in eco-friendly aquaculture or inherit traditional sun-drying salt techniques. Together with community partners, these tours aim to explore the long-standing century-old industries of the Taijiang area.

 “From Fish Pond to Table” tour took participants to the Yuti Eco Aqua Fish Farm, where they learned about the production and selection of registered trademark “Black-faced Spoonbill” clams, followed by bird-watching at the black-faced spoonbill's main habitat at the mouth of the Zengwen River. The “Traveling Through the Century-old Salt Industry” experience allowed participants to visit the century-old Anshun Salt Fields to understand the modernized process of sun-drying sea salt and experience the daily life of salt workers at the Anshun Salt Story House.

 

Unique Wetland Landscape Shaped by the Interweaving of Natural Ecology and Industry Culture

At this symposium, special guests included Professor Yu-Wen Chiu from National Chiayi University, Professor Yi-Fu Chen from Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and General Secretary Tsai Chiung-Chiao from the Budaizui Cultural Association. They presented case studies on important wetland areas at the mouth of the Zengwen River, eco-friendly fishponds participating in Taijiang’s sustainable aquaculture program, and the abandoned salt fields in Budai, among other locations. These discussions highlighted the value of wetlands in terms of natural ecology, industrial culture, and environmental education. Peers from various national (natural) parks also shared rich experiences in preserving and enhancing local industrial culture.

Director-General Chen Mao-Chun of the National Park Service concluded by noting that while national parks around the world have traditionally enforced strict regulations, recent years have seen a growing focus on the autonomy of local residents and their cultural significance. This includes the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which not only calls on contracting nations to reduce threats to biodiversity but also emphasizes respect for local communities and recognizes their rights. Chen expressed hope that national (natural) parks will continue building on existing partnerships and, through diverse collaborations, expand their influence and enhance their outcomes.