Gukeng Township in Yunlin County is mountainous, with a network of hiking trails. Although the county government allocates an annual budget for trail maintenance, wear and tear from weather and prolonged use still leave some sections in need of attention. To maintain good trail conditions, the Gukeng Township Office has called on the public to become trail volunteers, jointly preserving the paths while promoting both fitness and public welfare — achieving multiple benefits at once.
In conjunction with the upcoming Taiwan Coffee Festival in November, the township office planned to recruit around 40 trail volunteers, but the spots were filled within just one day of announcement, highlighting the community's strong commitment to trail conservation.
The township office will invite Liu Xiaoxian, a part-time instructor from the Forestry Bureau, among others, to teach professional knowledge about trail restoration. Participants will learn about the concept of hand-built trails and gain hands-on experience repairing paths using locally sourced materials and methods tailored to the terrain.
Magistrate Huang Yiling hopes that through these engaging and fun courses, residents and volunteers will be more motivated to take initiative in trail upkeep. By providing professional training, the public can learn how to properly carry out simple trail repairs, ensuring the sustainable use of the trails. The initiative also aims to equip local residents with basic trail maintenance skills, contributing to the preservation of the area’s trails.
(China Times)