Tainan wetland park wins international honor for conservation

台南濕地園區獲得國際保育榮譽

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) on Tuesday commended stakeholders involved in the Jacana Ecological Education Park after it received the Star Wetland Center Award from Wetland Link International, recognizing it as one of the world’s leading centers for wetland conservation and education.

Speaking at a city council meeting, Huang said the award is a source of pride for Tainan residents and a testament to decades of collaboration among government agencies, developers, and local conservation groups, per CNA.

The restoration of the Guantian wetland, where the park is located, began in the 1990s when the planned route for the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) threatened the jacana’s natural habitat near Hulupi and Deyuanpi.

Following environmental assessments, THSR was required to undertake 15 hectares of habitat restoration and conservation work, leading to the creation of the park.

Huang praised the park for its 30-year commitment to ecological conservation and environmental education. “This international recognition reflects Tainan’s success in promoting harmony between development and nature,” said Huang.

Lee Wen-chen (李文珍), director of the Jacana Ecological Education Park, said the Star Wetland Center Award is the world’s only quality certification for wetland education and visitor centers. Since the award’s launch in 2022, only 39 of WLI’s 380 member centers worldwide have earned the distinction.

Lee said the recognition highlights the park’s achievements in community engagement and in integrating traditional agriculture — such as water chestnut farming — with wetland preservation. “The park demonstrates that humans and nature can coexist sustainably,” he said.

According to the Tainan City Government’s Agriculture Bureau, coordinated public and private efforts have boosted the jacana population from fewer than 50 birds to over 3,000 last year. The park has also promoted eco-friendly farming practices, allowing residents to enjoy organic, locally grown water chestnuts while preserving a thriving wetland ecosystem.