Roots Run Deep with PTSC and Guandu Nature Park
In April of 2021, Pershing Technology Service Corporation (PTSC) cooperated with Guandu Nature Park 關渡自然公園 to have our first Spring Volunteer Day. Below is an account of the experience, as well as some of the feedback from the participants and hosts.
“Businesses can no longer operate with the sole aim of making profits at the expense of the environment, society, economy, consumers and employees. Companies need to consider how they can give back to society, and this can help you attract customers and keep your best employees.” — from “The Growing Importance of Social Responsibility in Business,” Forbes Magazine, November, 2020
When most people think about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or volunteer projects associated with environmental conservation, their minds might naturally turn towards picking up garbage for a beach clean-up. Indeed, living in Taiwan there are plenty of opportunities for beach clean-up, and the island even hosts an all-island beach clean-up day each year, which coincides with international beach clean-up on May 23rd. This year the event is postponed due to coronavirus; however, prior to the recent pandemic onslaught in Taiwan, the island’s spirit of hands-on volunteerism was alive and well.
As CSR has become more of an essential part of operating in the business world, PTSC took the opportunity to collaborate with Guandu Nature Park to launch a volunteer day this past April. Rather than cleaning-up trash or cutting weeds, the IT professionals who were more accustomed to tapping away on their computers found themselves getting down and dirty planting lotus roots for the coming Fall harvest.
“Many areas [of Guandu]need to be maintained in a more delicate way, requiring a human touch. The Xintian lotus root planting that PTSC participated in this time is an example. This lotus root field does not use pesticides or fertilisers, so it needs more manpower and care in the summer, and there are more weeds. One of the benefits of not using fertiliser and chemicals, as well as having more weeds, is that many birds (white-breasted waterhen or common moorhen) will use this area during their breeding period. When other Spring and Autumn migratory birds come, they also use it as a good area to inhabit. On the morning of the planting, I saw two bird species that are rarely seen in Taiwan in the Xintian lotus pond. Other rare bird species that use the Xintian pond include black-faced spoonbill, water pheasant, and cotton duck.” — Guandu Department of Conservation Specialist, Lisa Chou
In the morning, after checking in outside the gate, the group watched an introductory video of Guandu Nature Park before heading out to wear Lisa and two other staff instructed them how to use the equipment and wear the hip-waders properly. She explained the benefits of planting the lotus roots and handed out large buckets of lotus roots that the volunteers would plant in the Xintian pond. For many, this was their first experience planting lotus roots, as well as being their first experience at Guandu Nature Park. The Guandu staff were welcoming, knowledgeable, and professional as Guandu has a long history of working with companies who partner with them to fulfill CSR initiatives.
Besides benefitting the park itself, the band of adventurous PTSC representatives that joined the event also gave overwhelmingly positive feedback for the whole experience. This was the first time that any of them had planted lotus roots before, as well as being the first experience to visit Guandu Nature Park for many of them. Some even invited family members and friends to join the activities.
Very fulfilling, the introduction and explanation are very clear. I learned about the ecology of Guandu Natural Park, and felt this was an active way to participate in a PTSC activity. Also, the activity could help my cousin lose weight.— PTSC staff member, James Lin
It was tough work but very rewarding, and the time flew by. I feel like it was over before I expected it to be. Maintaining the environment really requires an all-hands-on deck collaboration. — PTSC staff member, Jane Zhang
I can get to know more people, get in touch with nature, and try new things. I think it’s a great experience. — PTSC staff member, Jamie Chen
I think it’s a great experience. The process of participating in the activity is not just a volunteer, but also a different connection between myself, the environment, and the company. Through this activity, we could all enhance the interaction and cooperation between colleagues outside of work, as well as learn about the connection and symbiosis between ecology and our lives.”— PTSC staff member, Candice Lu
Although only a handful of PTSC employees joined the first volunteer program, it was a productive start for building a foundation of cooperation between the IT company and Guandu Nature Park. One of the main benefits of having the park managed by an NGO such as the Taipei Wild Bird Society is that the staff members are very in tune with the seasons and there is always important ecological work to be done. The management in the park does a superb job of balancing volunteer activities with debriefing, tours, and informative introduction sessions.
Of course, once planted, the lotus roots will need to be harvested in the Fall. Ideally, this activity is only the start of a fruitful relationship between PTSC and Guandu Nature Park. The facilitator for the day’s activities, and conservation specialist, Lisa Chou, warmly welcomes the group to return for another round of volunteer activities to reap the benefits of their hard labor and build an even stronger relationship between the two entities.
Without this experience, I wouldn’t ever know how lotus roots are planted. I’m glad I could complete this activity with everyone!— PTSC staff member, Maggie Fu
Wearing the hip waders to plant lotus roots was a new experience. I can also appreciate the hard work of the Guandu staff and hope that my small effort gives some contribution. — PTSC staff member, Nancy Chang
