From Protected Areas to Coexistence Sites: Expanding Collective Efforts to Safeguard Taiwan’s Natural Environment

On March 25, 2026, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture held the “Conservation and Coexistence Site Certification and Achievement Presentation,” during which the first 62 sites across Taiwan received official certification. The event marked a new stage in Taiwan’s conservation efforts, symbolizing a broader movement toward public participation in biodiversity conservation. Among the certified sites were the Tse-Xin Foundation’s long-established “Tse-Xin Nature Farm” in Yunlin and “Yushan Walami” in Nan’an, Hualien. In addition, eight sites managed by farmers participating in the Green Conservation Program were also recognized, demonstrating the vital role of civic society in biodiversity conservation.

The concept of Taiwan’s “Conservation and Coexistence Sites” is derived from the international framework of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). It emphasizes expanding conservation efforts beyond traditional protected areas by incorporating a wider range of sites that demonstrate effective conservation outcomes, while fostering collaboration among the public sector, private sector, and local communities in pursuit of the global 30x30 target of conserving 30% terrestrial areas by 2030. This initiative brings conservation beyond a limited number of designated protected areas and into everyday life, enabling more people to practice coexistence with nature on the land they steward.

For many years, the Tse-Xin Foundation has promoted organic and eco-friendly agriculture, grounded in the belief that agricultural production and ecological conservation can go hand in hand. Whether transforming barren land into the vibrant Tse-Xin Nature Farm or supporting farmers in Nan’an, Hualien, in transitioning to organic rice cultivation, the foundation has worked to reduce pesticide use and create habitats for wildlife, allowing farmlands to become safe havens where wild animals can thrive. Over the years, the foundation has also promoted the “Green Conservation Label,” an initiative that closely aligns with the principles of Conservation and Coexistence by enabling agricultural production to serve simultaneously as a force for protecting biodiversity.

Receiving this certification is not only a recognition of past efforts, but also a commitment to continued progress. During the ceremony, farmers from Nan’an shouted encouragement in the Bunun language, expressing their deep connection to the land and their determination to protect it. This voice rising from the land is also the truest and deepest source of strength in conservation.

In the future, the Tse-Xin Foundation will continue to connect with farmers, businesses, and the wider public to expand participation in conservation and coexistence initiatives, enabling more everyday spaces to become part of ecological networks. When more space is left for nature on each piece of land, these small acts will eventually converge into a broad conservation network across Taiwan, collectively moving toward a future of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.