In the beautiful region of Eastern Taiwan, Taitung County is steadily progressing towards a sustainable development future. Through innovative environmental education programs and active community participation, Taitung has achieved remarkable success in nature conservation and emerged as a model for economic growth and cultural preservation. By integrating environmental education with sustainable practices, Taitung has cultivated a green driving force, leading local communities toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
(Photo Credit: @just547)
Dongxing Community (Taromak Tribe), located in Beinan Township, is a shining example of Taitung’s success in sustainable development. The community has not only preserved the rich cultural heritage of the Rukai people but also embraced innovative approaches to environmental protection and sustainability. Dongxing Community has successfully combined renewable energy with organic agriculture, to create an eco-friendly economic model. As Taiwan’s first “citizen-powered” tribe, they harness solar and other clean energy sources, reducing carbon emissions while generating additional income for the community. At the same time, the community promotes organic farming, particularly millet cultivation, protecting the land and passing on traditional agricultural wisdom.
Dongxing Community skillfully combines ecotourism with cultural experiences. Visitors can take part in traditional activities such as the millet harvest festival and the swing festival, while also learning about sustainable environmental practices. This approach not only stimulates the local economy but also raises environmental awareness among residents. Dongxing Community’s efforts in environmental education have been widely recognized. In their first participation in the Taitung County Environmental Education Awards, they won the top prize in the community category, demonstrating the community’s excellence in this field. The community deeply roots itself in preserving local cultural heritage, training members to engage in both conservation and interpretation efforts. Moreover, they have fostered strong partnerships with industry, government, and academia, creating an ideal environment for environmental education.
(Photo credit: @arttreemuseum)
The Taitung County Government is actively promoting sustainable development and has launched the “Sustainable Taitung” educational training program this year. This initiative aims to enhance the understanding and skills of various sectors regarding sustainability. The program covers environmental protection as well as core concepts of sustainable development, such as economic growth and social equity. Currently, Taitung County boasts seven certified environmental education facilities across six major environmental education areas. These include, Zhiben Nature Education Center, offering rich forest ecology and indigenous cultural experiences; Yongan Community Environmental Education Park, showcasing successful community building and organic farming practices; Beinan Cultural Park, combining prehistoric culture with natural ecology education; National Museum of Prehistory, focusing on cultural preservation and social-environmental education; Xiaoyeliu Nature Classroom, featuring coastal geology education and ecological observation; and Guanshan Rice County School Environmental Education Park, dedicated to promoting rice culture and agricultural education.
(Photo credit: @arttreemuseum)
(Photo credit: @lina_chen_86)
This year, the Luanshan Forest Culture Museum became the 7th certified environmental education site in Taitung, further enriching the county’s environmental education resources. Located in Yanping Township, it stands out as Taiwan’s only official venue dedicated to experiencing indigenous life. The museum uses an innovative experiential learning approach, guiding visitors through a series of interactive “challenges” that offer a deep dive into Bunun culture and forest ecology. Visitors can witness the fascinating “walking tree” — Taiwan’s most well-preserved mixed banyan forest.
(Photo credit: @lina_chen_86)
The expansive aerial roots of the banyan trees spread out, creating a fascinating scene reminiscent of the movie Avatar. Along with cultural experiences like enjoying welcoming barbecues, sampling millet wine, or engaging in forest adventures and hunter simulations, guests can also savor traditional wood-fired meals, pound mochi, or even take part in tree-planting activities, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the forest. The museum’s hands-on, immersive programs make it a standout destination, merging cultural heritage with environmental education in a way that promotes sustainable living and respect for nature.
From Dongxing Community’s renewable energy project to the cultural and ecological education at the Luanshan Forest Culture Museum, these sustainable efforts not only protect precious ancient forests but also blend traditional wisdom with modern environmental education. They offer Taiwanese people an immersive, comprehensive learning experience.
Taitung exemplifies the harmonious coexistence of environmental protection, economic development, and cultural preservation, showcasing a beautiful vision where all can thrive together. These initiatives serve as valuable models for environmental education and cultural preservation efforts in other regions, demonstrating that sustainability is not just a goal but a way of life that holistically benefits communities.
