Algal Reef Ecological Environment Classroom Introduction
The only macroalgal reef ecological environment classroom in the country is located in the Xinchang District of Taoyuan City. It was formerly the Yongxing Landfill Site, which had been closed for over ten years. The city government prioritized the conservation of the macroalgal reef and invested NT$15 million in 2018 to revitalize and transform the landfill into an ecological environment classroom, which was inaugurated on July 4, 2019. This facility conducts macroalgal reef ecological education through physical observation, sensory experiences, and multimedia interactions. It offers free admission to the public and provides guided tours that can be reserved online. Visitors can observe the macroalgae and intertidal ecology in real time, in line with tidal schedules, allowing more people to personally experience the macroalgal reef ecological environment. The classroom is not merely a display space but also serves as an educational coastal environment. The coastal macroalgal reef stretches approximately 27 kilometers along the coast of Taoyuan, starting from the Shalun macroalgal reef in Dayuan District to the Guanxin macroalgal reef in Xinchang District. It is a plant-constructed reef and currently the largest and most complete macroalgal reef formation in the country, existing for over 4,000 years. The coastal area surrounding the ecological environment classroom is part of the Guanxin macroalgal reef ecological system wildlife protection area, which is the southernmost macroalgal reef belt in Taoyuan, extending about 4.3 kilometers. The porous ecosystem characteristics nurture rich biodiversity. To protect this precious macroalgal ecosystem, the ecological environment classroom promotes environmental education, as well as restoration, conservation, education, and recreational functions. The city government collaborates with the Yongxing Community Development Association in Xinchang District for management and guidance, nurturing local ecological interpreters. The classroom obtained the "Environmental Education Facility" certification from the Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan on November 3, 2021, aiming to unite the public's efforts in cherishing Taoyuan's valuable macroalgal resources along the coastline. The ecological environment classroom offers a two-hour environmental education program titled "Millennium Love," featuring themes such as macroalgal reef experience, macroalgal crises, macroalgal characteristics, and community involvement in protecting macroalgal habitats, attracting more people to learn about macroalgae. In the future, additional educational programs will be planned, including secret adventures in Houhu Creek, ecological observations of windbreak forests, farmhouse experiences in historic Yongxing houses, and DIY hand-painted koi projects, all aimed at providing educational and entertaining environmental education courses, hoping to guide more people into the timeline of macroalgae. (Source: Coastal Management Engineering Department, Taoyuan City Government)
