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Our colleagues would often ask, "What do Wistron Fuyang Guardian Volunteers do?" One common task is removing invasive plants from the Fuyang Eco Park. In natural environments, invasive species often spread beyond their original distribution range due to intentional human activities or otherwise. When invasive species establish populations in natural or semi-natural ecosystems, they often threaten local native species and biodiversity, impacting ecological structures and stability.
In addition to the notorious bittervine, the Fuyang Eco Park is also home to horticultural plants such as arrowhead vine, dumbcane, golden pothos, walking iris, Brazilian petunia, white clovers, firespikes, and golden shrimp plants. Volunteers work tirelessly to remove these plants in order to protect the original forest composition.
Nevertheless, the colorful flowers and verdant leaves are still beautiful. Invasive plants are merely growing in the wrong place. While they are being removed, one wonders, can they be given a better purpose? Thus, a creative workshop, the Invasive Plant Floral Frame was born.
The floral artist collected invasive plants such as cigar flowers, golden shrimp plants, morning glories, and arrowhead vines from the Fuyang Eco Park. After drying for three days, the plants became materials for the volunteers' creative works.
On September 16, nearly 20 volunteers carried out their usual morning task of removing invasive plants and planting native species. In the afternoon, they used the collected invasive plants and commercially available exotic flowers to decorate. Nature is truly a fascinating wizard. The volunteers arranged the plants freely, creating beautiful botanical frames!
"No flower is the most beautiful of all. Every blossom is worthy of cherishing." Through this holiday activity, the participants felt the preciousness of nature. As the floral artist said, the beauty of nature extends into our lives, establishing a romantic and wonderful connection between humans and plants.
Feedback from the activity:
- Combining the task of removing invasive plants with the creation of beautiful artwork was meaningful and stress-relieving. The instructor was gentle and beautiful. It was a wonderful day.
- Everyone was very serious, whether in the removal work or creation of DIY artwork. It was touching.
- A very fulfilling and meaningful volunteer activity.
- The combination of removing invasive plants in the morning and making floral frames in the afternoon was excellent. The activity was meaningful and fun.
- The volunteers were professional and enthusiastic, and the work gave us a sense of accomplishment. The floral activity in the afternoon was very interesting.
- It had educational significance. In addition to the removal of invasive species, the Society of Wilderness has also established experimental control groups to attract us to continue volunteering and observe the potential impact of invasive plant removal on native species in Taiwan.
- The partners we met during the foundation's activities all had a sense of enthusiasm, which gave rise to a different kind of interaction during work.
- Although our interaction was limited, the feeling of like-mindedness in our encounter was gratifying. It was a great experience.
- This volunteer activity gave us an opportunity to catch up with good friends who also volunteered for the Society of Wilderness. It was a great reunion.