New Blood in the Water Environment Patrol Team: Committed to Protecting River and Ocean Ecosystems

(中央社訊息服務20250325 15:38:04)The Hualien County Government is actively promoting river protection actions. In addition to allocating funds each year for river surface waste removal, it has also recruited 17 teams with 386 water environment patrol volunteers to assist in the maintenance of river and ocean environments. Recently, the southernmost Cepo’ Water Environment Patrol Team welcomed 14 new volunteers who joined in the environmental protection efforts around the Xiuguluan River estuary and surrounding ocean areas. Their tasks include picking up litter, beach cleanups, promoting ICC waste classification, creating art from marine debris, environmental education, and conducting ecological surveys on Ci'poran Island, working to fully protect the river and ocean environments.

The Xiuguluan River estuary boasts rich natural ecosystems, and the meeting point of the river and sea is an important habitat for various fish species, migratory birds, and marine life. However, the beauty of this estuary is facing significant challenges due to human waste pollution and the impact of marine debris. The 14 newly joined volunteers have undergone a series of basic and specialized training courses, which have strengthened their knowledge of inspection safety, water quality monitoring skills, and ICC international beach cleanup classification standards. They will conduct at least weekly beach cleanups and routine patrols at the Xiuguluan River estuary. Over the past year, the Cepo’ Water Environment Patrol Team completed 47 patrols, 4 educational training sessions, and 51 cleanups, collecting 791 kilograms of recyclable waste and 783 kilograms of non-recyclable waste. The addition of new volunteers this year will enable a more comprehensive water environment maintenance program, further strengthening the patrol team's efforts.

County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei expressed high recognition for the efforts and contributions of the Cepo’ Water Environment Patrol Team, particularly thanking the volunteers for their hard work and long-term commitment to water environment protection, which helps maintain the beautiful landscapes of Hualien's mountains, seas, and rivers. She also encouraged the new volunteers to continue safeguarding the land with passion and action, joining hands with all sectors of society to contribute to sustainable development.

These enthusiastic new recruits are not only inspecting water conditions but also enhancing public awareness of water environment protection through water quality monitoring, ecological surveys, and art creation. Water environment protection is a joint effort for all, and together, we can contribute to environmental protection and ecological sustainability!