English 
正體中文 
To promote environmental education and civic responsibility, Yuan Ze University’s College of General Studies has, since 2018, continuously led students to Shibachong Creek in Shiding District, New Taipei City, to engage in local ecological conservation and cultural heritage preservation.
This year, the "Satoyama Forward! Firefly Book House and Baojia Trail Environmental Cleanup Activity" was held in three sessions, with around 100 students from various departments participating. They participated in hands-on conservation work at the Firefly Book House and on Baojia Trail—one of the historic Tamsui-Kavalan Trails—integrating environmental restoration with cultural preservation, demonstrating the university’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.
The activity was part of the general education course "University Life and Service Learning," led by Assistant Professor Kang Ming-Shan. Local youth and founder of the Firefly Book House, Mr. Yeh Chia-Hao, was specially invited to guide students on-site, enhancing the connection between learning and the local community. The program was well received by domestic students and also attracted international participants from Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries, highlighting a blend of cross-cultural engagement and local care, while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Yeh shared the founding story of the Firefly Book House, which was transformed from an old dormitory of the Wenshan Coal Mine into a red cypress wooden facility. With the joint effort of local volunteers and youth, the building was revitalized into a space providing after-school tutoring for rural children. His story, along with the spirit of volunteerism, deeply moved the students and helped them understand the link between local culture and ecological preservation.
To help students better grasp the significance and practice of environmental cleanup, the university collaborated with the “Taipei Let’s Go Outdoors Association” and its Satoyama volunteer team. Tasks included weeding drainage ditches, collecting trash, trimming bamboo along the trail, laying gravel, stacking stones, and maintaining the book house. Through hands-on experience, students witnessed the impact of human waste and learned systematic approaches to habitat restoration.
A student from the Department of Mechanical Engineering shared, “I had never done farm work before, so getting close to nature and doing physical work was tough but very rewarding!” Another student from the Department of Computer Science reflected that tasks such as paving roads, building embankments, weeding, and planting flowers gave him a deep sense of the physical and emotional rewards of service learning, as well as environmental responsibility. Many participants expressed that the experience helped them reflect on the severity of environmental pollution and admire the efforts behind the Firefly Book House and ecological restoration. They also hoped to translate this experience into daily actions to continue caring for the environment.
Professor Kang highlighted that the Baojia Trail at Shibachong Creek, once part of a century-old trade route, had fallen into neglect due to industrial shifts and population decline, with unmanaged waste damaging the local ecosystem. Through this activity, students not only learned about the fireflies’ habitat and trail history but also embodied the spirit of service learning through “learning by doing.” The experience fostered civic awareness, environmental care, and altruistic values. Mr. Yeh expressed his gratitude for the students’ participation and collaborative efforts, believing such actions make the environment better.
Yuan Ze University places great emphasis on diverse learning and social responsibility. Its College of General Studies has launched several courses combining practical, public service, and social engagement elements, encouraging students to participate in community, rural, and remote area service projects. From environmental conservation to educational support and cultural preservation, students are encouraged to participate and reflect, strengthening their civic consciousness and initiative. The Shiding volunteer activity was a clear example of Yuan Ze University’s educational philosophy of “learning by doing and doing while learning,” aiming to nurture future citizens with a strong sense of social concern and sustainability.
