Last week, on Saturday 6^th, the Sustainability Collective’s workshop on wetland environment management was held in Budai 10^th saltpan, Chiayi. Organized by Dr. Wang Hsiao-Wen, the head of our Sustainability Collective and director of the Certificate Program of Sustainable Development (CPSD), the workshop was a full-day experience in which students had the chance to work with wetland professionals to learn about the importance of maintaining these ecosystems in Taiwan and the world. There was a total of 11 students from different nationalities and educational backgrounds, which allowed for a unique interdisciplinary experience. Our special guest was Dr. Ben LePage, past president of the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS) and currently a distinguished visiting chair professor at National Taiwan Normal University. Together, both Dr. Wang and Dr. LePage delivered lectures on the development of wise-use management plans for wetlands and how significant stakeholder involvement is.

On the field, students learned about 10^th Budai Saltpan’s history, including its past and current functions and how important it is for migratory birds and local community. Most of the locals raise fish, shrimps, and clams near the 10^th saltpan, so it is important to have good water circulation. Therefore, we performed a water-gate operation during high tide, allowing fresh ocean water to enter the saltpan. The participants took different measurements, including water quality (dissolved oxygen/ DO, pH, salinity, temperature), water velocity and water depth. This hands-on practice helped them see the effects mixing fresh water with ocean water can have on the wetland, and how much water flows into the saltpan while the water gate is open. They also took pictures and footage using a drone, to know the changes that occurred on the water area during the operation.

Afterwards, students had the opportunity to chat with one of the local fishermen who grows fish and shrimp in the wetlands. He talked about how the fishermen in the area have learnt to understand how the wetland works and the different effects that water level conditions have on aquaculture. They contact those in charge of the wetland to perform water gate operations whenever they consider it necessary to maintain their water level and wetland health needs. This helped students see how important it is to know all sides to a story, as the wetland is not only important due to its ecological value, but also vital for the lives of those residing in its surroundings.

Finally, the students visited Vena Energy’s education center nearby Budai saltpan. Here a 70-MW project was recently built in an area often visited by many local and migratory birds, including an endangered species, the black-faced spoonbill. Of the 80 hectares reserved for their solar energy project, 30% of the area was set aside to be used as an ecological conservation area. The company is determined on ensuring the coexistence of the power generation sector and the natural environment, so this project can be a model in Taiwan for ecological photovoltaic installations.

Wetlands support life along all parts of the food chain, and their ecosystem services provide climate regulation, flood mitigation, cultural richness, and economic opportunities. The creation of wise-use management plans for wetlands requires both interdisciplinary and stakeholder collaboration. We hope that this short-course provided students with knowledge to further understand the importance of wetland-management plans and stakeholder involvement.