Enjoy this exciting report from the Wilderness Foundation Taiwan
by Green Map Volunteer Instructor: 如風 Li Ju Chen, January 15, 2026
Nestled between Mountains and Sea, Changbin Taitung is a slender sanctuary carved out between the Coastal Range and the vast Pacific Ocean.
On a clear day, one can witness the sun rising from the horizon while the rhythmic pulse of the tides echoes beneath the eaves of tribal homes. This is the ancestral land of the Amis and Kebalan peoples, where rituals, melodies, and harvests dance to the rhythm of the seasons.
To the north, the ancient caves of Baxianhold traces of prehistoric life; to the south, the rice paddies of King Kong Avenue sway like the breath of ancestral spirits. Changbin does not boast; instead, it invites you to slow down and find your place between the peaks and the waves. To be here is to know peace and happiness.
A Journey of 240 Kilometers
On January 8, 2026, the "Wilderness Foundation Green Map Team" had the honor of visiting Changbin Elementary School. We were invited by Nian-Yang and Ci-Bu, the visionary couple behind "The Great Wall Project." Having lived in Changbin for over a decade, they have dedicated themselves to bridging resources for local children and elders, bringing art, music, and dance to this remote corner of Taiwan. Our mission was to lead a two-day "Green Map" immersive experience.
Day 1: The Magic of Discovery
We led 15 students from the Nature Club on a "sensory walk" to explore the school’s rich ecosystem. When our ecology expert, Teacher "Over-Mountain Shrimp," introduced the Moltrecht’s Green Tree Frog mural at the gate, the kids claimed they had never seen one. But the moment he played a recording of its call, they exclaimed in unison: "Oh! That’s the noisy neighbor at my house!" The teacher laughed, "You are so lucky; in Taipei, people would travel miles just to hear that 'noise' once!"
The laughter continued as we reached the Chinese Fan Palms. One student shouted, "I know this! It’s the Fart Tree!" He then pulled a leaf to create a perfect flatulence sound—a creative lesson even for us! Looking up into those same palms, another student discovered a hidden wasp nest, while others found mantis ootheca (egg cases) on tree trunks. Even the instructors were amazed by the biological diversity of this campus.
We also visited the old banyan tree and a row of weathered buildings—now the baseball team’s equipment room. Their mottled wooden window frames and transoms are silent witnesses to the school’s century-long history dating back to the Japanese colonial era. We reminded the children: "Your school isn't just a campus; it’s a living monument."
Day 2: Mapping the Heart
The second day began with the "Green Map Taiwan Board Game." In 30 minutes, the students learned about Taiwan’s landmarks and environmental protection—realizing that illegal logging or water pollution comes with heavy consequences.
Then came the highlight: Creating the Green Map. Each student received a blank card to draw a campus scene they loved. They had to categorize it using Green Map Icons (Culture/Nature/Sustainability) and write down their observations.
• Two students drew the "Eco-pond," labeling it as a habitat for native plants and insects. Their caption read: "I love nature; it is the Monet’s Garden of Changbin!"
• Another student meticulously sketched the wasp nest they had found.
• One child drew the Ixora flowers in front of the classroom, writing: "It makes me feel so comfortable... I hope we can plant it everywhere so more people can see its beauty."
Most impressively, two senior students designed the main map, transforming the iconic King Kong Mountain into a literal, creative "Great Ape" watching over the land.
A Dialogue with the Land
As the President of the Wilderness Foundation says: "A Green Map is not just a map; it is an action—a way to converse with the land." By walking the grounds, interviewing locals, and unearthing environmental stories, we transform ecological and cultural resources into visual memories.
Every Green Map is a vessel for stories, reflecting our care for the environment and the deep bond between people and the earth. Through "Green Map," we make the land better; through "The Great Wall Project," we ensure that beauty is connected and passed on forever.
