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Home> The Satoyama Initiative in Taiwan > Taiwan Satoyama News > Conservation, Production and Partnerships: the “Three in One” Strategy for 2023 TPSI Regional Exchange Workshops

Conservation, Production and Partnerships: the “Three in One” Strategy for 2023 TPSI Regional Exchange Workshops

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Taiwan Satoyama News

Conservation, Production and Partnerships: the “Three in One” Strategy for 2023 TPSI Regional Exchange Workshops

　　Each year regional exchange workshops are the most anticipated and exciting flagship activity of Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (TPSI). As two-day events conducted by each of TPSI regional exchange bases – TPSI-North (TPSI-N), TPSI-West (TPSI-W), TPSI-South (TPSI-S), and TPSI-East (TPSI-E), they provide an opportunity for TPSI partners to visit TPSI SEPLS, exchange on-the-ground experiences, share ideas, and search for partnership opportunities. The workshop participants include government agencies, research and academia, NGOs and NPOs, community organisations, green enterprises, farms, agro-parks, and other interested individuals.
　　Over the years (est. 2016), the annual themes of exchange workshops have included a diverse range of SEPLS relevant topics: revitalisation of SEPLS, regional and national networking, youth participation, intergenerational knowledge transfer and role of women, SEPLS resilience and biodiversity, marketing and socio-economic development in SEPLS. By December 2023, almost 300 organisations have taken part in TPSI regional exchange workshops.
　　Since 2022 the “three in one” strategy of TPSI has been a key theme for TPSI regional exchange workshops. The strategy looks at the linkage between Taiwan Ecological Network, Satoyama Initiative and Community Forestry projects and aims to enhance community-based production activities, strengthen ecosystem connectivity and foster SEPLS-to-SEPLS partnership networks. In 2023, learning from previous experiences, the “three in one” strategy was explored by the regional bases at a deeper level. What is the connection between production activities in SEPLS and biodiversity conservation? How to foster community partnerships and co-learning within conservation corridors? What new approaches and successes can we learn from? Each regional workshop had its own unique agenda, participants and case studies. Below we invite you to explore some of 2023 highlights.

TPSI regional exchange bases led by Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA, TPSI-N), Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute (TBRI, TPSI-W), National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST, TPSI-S), and National Dong Hwa University (NDHU, TPSI-E)

TPSI-North

[Satoyama News piece shared by Dr. Hsin-Hsun Huang黃信勳 and Kevin Shum 岑嘉宏 from Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, DILA]

　　On 1-2 June 2023, TPSI-North Regional Exchange Base - Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA) - held a two-day regional exchange workshop featuring Satoyama practitioners of northern Taiwan. The theme of the workshop was the “Three in One” Strategy: Taiwan Ecological Network, Satoyama Initiative and Community Forestry. A total of 115 participants from 29 organisations took part in this remarkable annual event.
　　On the first day of the workshop, the participants visited three local partners located within the Lanyang Plain Wetland and Stream Conservation Corridor (Yilan county) of Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN): Shuanglianpi Sustainable Development Association – The Satoyaman (mountain village trip); Xinnan Tiandong Rice Agricultural Enterprise (running a ‘restaurant’ for migratory birds), and Dakenggu Community Development Association (night watching of land crabs). Yilan District Office of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency also shared their recent work on policy and promotion of conservation corridors within TEN.
　　The second day of the workshop was held in the form of indoor presentations and discussions and consisted of two parts. The first part was focused on the “three in one” strategy, where Professor Mei-Hui Chen from the Forestry Department of National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST, TPSI-South Regional Exchange Base) gave a keynote presentation on the importance of connecting Taiwan Ecological Network, Satoyama Initiative and Community Forestry into one strategic approach. To demonstrate the meaning of the “three in one” strategy in practice, Gongxing Community Development Association (Fanlu Township, Chiayi County) shared the story of Marbled jewel orchid cultivation and sustainable use of timber as a part of agroforestry promotion activities. Professor Hsin-Hsun Huang from DILA further reflected on the importance of linking Satoyama-Satoumi production activities with the conservation objectives of TEN by showcasing successful efforts towards partnership and co-learning between the Satoyama communities of Taiwan’s northern coast. Zhongliao Community Development Association (Tamshui District, New Taipei City) presented their efforts towards revitalisation of the century old Zhongliao terraced paddy landscape and development of Satoyama community.
　　The second part of the indoor discussion looked at the importance of diversified economic development for promotion of the deep economy in Satoyama areas. Associate Researcher Dr. Jing-Wen Wang from Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute (Ministry of Agriculture) spoke about biodiversity-friendly production activities for net zero carbon emissions, highlighting the imperative role of agriculture and forestry in reducing emissions and increasing sinks. Two long-time TPSI partners – Jacana Ecological Education Park (Guantian District, Tainan City) and Fuxing Nanhe Leisure Agricultural District (Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County) – were invited to share their on-the-ground development experiences on site-based conservation. The former focuses on their brand development experiences and the later focuses on the development of eco-leisure agriculture, and forest therapy.

TPSI-South

[Satoyama News piece shared by Dr. Mei-Hui Chen 陳美惠 and Regine Liao 廖瑞雲 from National Pingtung University of Science and Technology]

　　TPSI-S regional exchange workshop this time featured a unique format as it was held alongside the 2023 Taiwan-Japan Satoyama Exchange Conference. The first exchange of such kind took place in 2018, when, with support from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (former Forestry Bureau), Community Forestry Centre of the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST, TPSI-S), and a group of Japanese Satoyama practitioners signed a partnership agreement. It was focused on the issues of biodiversity conservation in Satoyama areas, ecosystem restoration, deep economy, sustainable production in SEPLS, and nature-culture linkages.
　　Since 2018, Taiwan and Japan have maintained close partnership and exchanges. Even during Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2022), the two sides still managed to jointly complete the "Community Forestry Technical Manual: Selected Cases of Satoyama in Japan" publication in both Chinese and Japanese languages. The publication tells the story of successful Satoyama cases in both countries fostering further experience sharing and practical partnerships between Taiwan and Japan.
　　In August 2023, as a part of its regional exchange workshop, TPSI-S organised the 2023 Taiwan-Japan Satoyama Exchange Conference and invited six Japanese guests to Taiwan. The Japanese visiting delegation, led by Mr. Nakamura Nobuyuki, consisted of experts who have long been involved in Satoyama and rural revitalization, environmental conservation and education, and forest early childhood education in Japan, including NPO workers, Satoyama practitioners, and city councillors. In addition to sharing the story of Satoyama development in Japan and concrete case study experiences during indoor seminars and discussions, the Japanese guests got to explore the SEPLS of south-eastern Taiwan. This was a unique experience that allowed for in-depth communication with local communities, government officers, NPOs, scholars, and experts. One of such visits was to the Indigenous Bunun community in Nan’An Tribe, Zhuoxi Township, Hualien County.

TPSI-West

[Satoyama News piece shared by Dr. Mei-Li Hseuh 薛美莉 and Yu-Hsuan Jiang 江郁宣 from Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute]

　　In September 2023, TPSI-W regional exchange workshop explored the “three in one” strategy by visiting the following four communities: Daxueshan Forestry Direct Sales Centre’s mountain product store, Damaopu and Ruanpikeng, Shibumizu (Seishui) Community, and Hushan Community. The workshop was a unique opportunity for TPSI partners from different parts of Taiwan to get to know these resilient SEPLs first-hand and learn more about such sustainable management practices as eco-friendly agriculture, agroforestry, deep economy, forest therapy, and local crafts. It created a space for both indoor and outdoor exchanges, in-depth discussions and future partnerships.
　　On the first day of the workshop, the participants visited Daxueshan Forestry Direct Sales Centre, where they learned about the log wood Shiitake mushroom cultivation and operations of the mountain product store. The store sells environmentally friendly produce from neighbouring communities such as citrus fruits, native cinnamon, Taiwan mountain pepper (magao), Shiitake mushrooms, and others. Damaopu community of Dongshih District, Taichung City was the next stop of the journey. Wu Zhe-Ming, the leader of the Damaopu survey team, shared how Damaopu community uses the results of local ecological surveys to improve sustainable water use and local livelihoods. Shibumizu (Seishui) Community, Yuchi Township, Nantou County was the last stop of the day. The area is not only famous for production of Taiwanese black tea but is also a great example of community-based maintenance of eco-trails, dragonfly and bird surveys, and wetland conservation. In the evening, community members prepared local delicacies and Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute organised a night eco-tour.
　　The morning of the second day of the workshop was held indoors. Professor Kuang-Chung Lee from National Dong Hwa University shared his experience of visiting and learning from the Satoyama sites in Japan. Nantou and Taichung District Offices of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency were invited to explain about the planning and implementation of Taiwan Ecological Network in the western and central parts of Taiwan. Six local partners from TPSI-W (Yangquan Charity Foundation, Shihu Friendly Farming, Hushan Community, Fuzhou Community, Experimental Forest Management Office Shuili Forestry Area, and Mabihao Tribal Development Association) shared their experiences in maintaining traditional culture and promoting eco-friendly farming. In the afternoon, the participants visited Hushan Community in Douliu City, Yunlin County. It was originally a small settlement in the Douliu Hills and after the completion of the Hushan Reservoir, has been actively participating in local forest restoration (including eco-tree climbing) and Snake-eating Turtle conservation.

TPSI-W: we will be back again!!

TPSI-East

[Satoyama News piece shared by Dr. Kuang-Chung Lee 李光中 and Summer Sun 孫夏天 from National Dong Hwa University]

　　In October 2023, the last but not least of all regional exchange bases, TPSI-E explored the topic of ecological and socio-cultural connectivity in eastern Taiwan. Beinan River and Coastal Mountain Range Conservation Corridors of Taiwan Ecological Network in Taitung County were chosen as the workshop destinations. Community members from Nanwang Tribe, Lichi and Fuyuan villages, supported by Taitung District Office of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency and National Dong Hwa University (TPSI-E), invited the workshop participants to explore the topics of community-based biodiversity conservation, traditional resource use, geoparks and geoproducts, and ecosystem connectivity. Indoor and outdoor discussions looked at the role of SEPLS in connecting biodiversity and restoring fragmented habitats within the conservation corridors.
　　This was the first time for a TPSI regional exchange workshop to welcome Indigenous community guests from abroad. Mr. Songphonsak Ratanawilailak（Mulu）and Mr. Natdanai Trakansupakorn (Jump) from Pgakenyaw Association for Sustainable development (PASD) were invited to share the Satoyama experiences from Karen Indigenous Community, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Dr. Jasmine Black – a Research Fellow on Alternative Food Systems at the United Nations University and University of Tokyo, Japan – provided a unique perspective on the role of artistic self-expression in biodiversity conservation. Their stories of sustainable agroforestry practices, local business development, and youth leadership resonated deeply with TPSI partners, encouraging more visits and exchanges in the future.

Visit counts:176 Last updated on:2024-08-13

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