World Ranger Day is celebrated every year on July 31 to pay tribute to the forest rangers who are the frontline protectors of the natural environment, as well as to remind the world of the importance of coexistence and co-prosperity with nature. Today (31st) on World Ranger Day, the Forestry Bureau launched the "Forest Protection and Management Forum" to which it invited Luo Si-Fan, current forest ranger, Tsai Ching-Yu, captain of the National Forest Investigation and Monitoring Volunteer Service Team, and Hedwig, author of Taiwan's first forest ranger-themed novel, Spirit of the Mountains, to hold a dialog with Lin Hwa-Ching, Director General of the Forestry Bureau, and Tsai Shi-Ping, a well-known TV host. From different perspectives, they discussed the issues of forest patrolling and protection, and also shared exciting stories about the daily work of these guardians of the forest. Through the event, participants were able to better understand the beauty and sorrow in the rangers' work and extended their respect to the rangers for their dedication to frontline forest protection. A Job with Both Professionalism and Warmth About 60% of Taiwan's land is covered by forests, which contain an abundance of precious mountain resources that are unique treasures. However, there are only around a thousand forest rangers patrolling the island's vast national forests, and they are often misunderstood by outsiders as having a job that allows them to roam freely between mountains and rivers. In reality, the job includes forest land management, animal and plant resource surveys, forest management, and forest product utilization. Furthermore, they may even have to face direct threats to their lives when encountering poachers; they also have to become "wildfire fighters" to rescue forest resources during wildfire seasons; and the rangers are often involved in search and rescue when hikers go missing or become injured. One can see that the rangers have a very demanding job that includes a wide range of tasks. In today's "Forest Protection and Management Forum", Luo Si-Fan, a forest ranger with the Hsinchu Forest District Office, and who is known for his attention to detail and patience, shared with the public the importance of mountains, forests, and wildlife and plants to Taiwan, based on his dedicated experience in forest protection and the conservation of plants and wildlife. He reminded everyone that forests do not exist disconnected and segregated from urban areas, but are actually very close to our daily lives. In recent years, the Forestry Bureau has been actively involving the local communities to manage the forests together in order to supplement the government's limited manpower and resources. In addition to the forest rangers, there is also a group of volunteers who donate their free time to assist in patrolling the forests of Taiwan. They do not only patrol the forests with love for the environment, but also use their own expertise to provide support to the forest patrol effort. Some of them come from the neighboring tribal communities around the national forests, some from university mountaineering clubs, while others are hikers from all walks of life. The Forestry Bureau hopes that through cooperation between the government and the public, the forest protection measures can keep up with the times and protect natural resources more effectively. Therefore, Mr. Tsai Ching-Yu, a representative of the National Forest Investigation and Monitoring Volunteer Service Team, was also invited to the forum to share his valuable experience in protecting the national forests and helping to report illegal logging cases. We also hope that more mountain enthusiasts will join us as volunteers and work together to build a protection network for Taiwan's mountains and forests, so that the precious forest resources of Formosa can continue to flourish. Lin Hwa-Ching, Director General of the Forestry Bureau, said that forest rangers play an extremely important and crucial role in guarding Taiwan's forest resources, just as if they were maintaining the forests' vital "heartbeat". Without fear of danger, they often have to go deep into the mountains and forests to conduct investigations, and they also have to fight fires that devour forest resources, endure freezing winds and even ice and snow, and spend long hours at night in ambush to counter illegal logging. The quiet dedication and sacrifice of forest rangers for the forests of Taiwan deserve the respect of all people. Therefore, the Forestry Bureau and Rotary International District 3523 are honoring the Outstanding and Excellent Forest Rangers of the Year on World Ranger Day this year (2020). In addition to commending the hard work of the forest rangers, this is a way for people to value and recognize the contributions of forest rangers to Taiwan's mountains and forests. Through this gesture, we hope to convey the spirit of mountain protection and call on all people to care for and protect Taiwan's precious natural environment and resources.
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