溪流是生命之母。然而,台灣許多的溪流在整治後呈水溝化、淤積斷流,失去生命力。烏溪上游的種瓜 (坑) 溪有幸在本團隊成員倡議後,獲得農村水保署的支持,在 2023 年拆除部分的高牆和固床工,成為臺灣治溪史首次的溪流復育。復育溪流具有防洪韌性、恢復生態系服務功能和調適氣候變遷的重要意義。此復育案已引起廣大的關注和觀摩學習。但當地社區卻因失去動能和偏鄉資源不足,面臨極大挑戰。本計畫欲保握復育後的契機,監測了解移除水泥阻礙物後的生態系變化以培養復育人才、也支持偏鄉教育及連結在地,藉由公私協力改善劣化棲地、復育在地生物和恢復生態系功能,以達到森 (山林植被)川 (溪流) 里 (社區) 一體共健康的目標。希能如水保署之期許讓本復育案成為典範,有所啟發影響。

Stream is the mother of life, but many streams and rivers in Taiwan have turned into deep ditches as their channels have been confined by concrete walls and barriers, interrupting the flow and losing vitality. Members of our team purchased land adjacent to Zhong Gua River (Beishan Village, Guoxing Township, Nantou) in the upper reaches of the Wu River and advocated for restoration of the stream. They received support from the Agency of Rural Development and Soil and Water Conservation (ARDSWC), which ultimately replaced some concrete bank protection and ground sills with natural rock structures in 2023. This action was the first river restoration in the history of stream management in Taiwan. River restoration is of great significance for flood control, water conservation and climate change. Consequently, it has attracted much attention and attracted many visitors to Zhong Gua River. However, the local community faces major challenges due to loss of rural momentum and inadequate education resources in this rural area. This project aims to exploit opportunities from this river revitalization. While monitoring and restoring the environment, it cultivates talent, and supports rural education. It interfaces with the local community to achieve one health for the forest (mountain vegetation), river (stream) and village (community) in the pursuit of excellence. It is hoped that it can become an inspirational model of river rewilding as intended by ARDSWC.