Date: 2013.12.20 (Friday)
Time: 10:00AM~11:30AM
Location: Big Tree hallway in the Cheng-Kung Office Park
Interviewers: Ya-Zhu, Yang-Jun
Paperwork: Yi-Zhen, Ting-Yu
There are a few rare species in the park, take Black-naped Blue Monarch for example, which usually can be seen in the summer. Their figure is bigger than sparrow; the top of the head is black. Males are all sapphire blue and females are half grey and blue. In bird species, most males are beautiful, but females look more plain and simple. Why female birds are born in that way? That's because females have to take care of their baby, their feather with plain colors can be the protection for avoiding from hunters. On the other hand, some bird species are on the contrary case such as, Painted Snipe and Pheasant-tailed Jacana.
Teacher Huang told us that most vanilla plants are born in countries with cold weather, and most are planted in winter and spring. The weather in Taiwan is too hot for them, vanilla plants can hardly survive from summer and fall, and thus usually they planted in winter. Now there are a few Mints in vanilla garden. Recently, Mint, Mt. Lemmon Marigold, Rosemary and Lemon Verbena are growing in the garden. Those species can resist hot summer day in Taiwan
We asked, "Are the plants in the butterfly garden planted for attracting butterfly?", "Indeed!", Teacher Huang replied. Foreign plant species blossom in every season, they can attract more butterflies. The park will be more entertaining if there are many butterflies. That's why we choose to plant foreign species, but the foreign plants make no benefits to local environment. For example, some ecological gardens plant GymnocoronisSpilanthoides(foreign species), it gets more butterflies; however, the native plants may have less chance for pollination.
Actually, when people plant trees in the mountain, they make an influence on the nature at the same time. For example, they will remove "useless trees" before planting new trees. Some may argue, "I am planting native species, what's wrong with that?" Teacher Huang thinks that the Tu Di Gong(Chinese Earth God) can take care of the nature, people shouldn't involve in by any movements like life release, feeding and planting. People think they are doing something good, but they have no ideas that what they did may destroy the nature. The volunteers can promote this perception while guiding. It will be great if we receive any supports and find an echo.
Before explaining plants, you should observe them first. If you see any animals, you should turn to the animals, or it will run away at any seconds because animals are more interesting. The tips to introduce plants are teaching people learn by the five senses. By only listening to the introduction, it's good enough for people who can remember 10% of the information; by hearing and observing, people can at least remember 20%; furthermore, people can learn more by touching or smelling. Teacher Huang mentioned that when he tries to explain Shell Ginger, he usually nips it and tells people to smell it; when introducing Black Nightshade, Huang will take its berries to people. But before people taste any fruit or berry, they should ask the guide first. By the senses of taste, touch and smell, people get more lasting impression to the plants. You can also add some interactions while guiding. The most important thing is, introducing some unique animals and plants, people can quickly learn the species with distinguishing characteristic, like different texture. In addition, before you guide, remember taking a deep breath and relaxing. Don't forget to speak up! Then you can start your guide job.
Date: 2013.13.05(Thursday)
Time: 02:00PM~03:00PM
Location: Big Tree hallway in the Cheng-Kung Office Park
Interviewers: Ya-Zhu, Yang-Jun, Ting-Yu, Bo-Lin
Paperwork: Bo-Lin, Ya-Zhu
When Teacher Ye knew we were doing the project for Taiwan School Cyberfair and we were willing to be the volunteers, He wanted to understand our motivation. We knew Cheng-Kung Office Park because of the cyberfair, after several visits, we gradually learnt and fell in love with this place. And an idea came up with our mind, "We are just kids, what can we do for the park?"
Teacher Ye knew our determination to help in the park, and thought we are good kids. He was very glad that we can help. Also, we asked teacher Ye about how to be a good guide. He said, "It's simple, just start from care your living environment." It's surprisingly easy, just pay more attention on the land you stand, and devote yourself to the land. By doing this, you are already the best guide.
Teacher Ye said that if you want to be voluntary guide, you need pass two tests. First, you need to pass the written test to move to oral test. Once you pass the two tests, you are one of teen voluntary guide in Green Camp. So far we don't have any elementary kids, if you can pass; you will be the youngest guides in the camping place.
You need to get over 70 points in the written test. The test isn't difficult; you can easily pass, if you study hard. In the oral test, you will be evaluated by the evaluators. You can choose any topic only in Cheng-Kung Office Park. The duration of the oral test is 20 minutes for each person.
Apart from guiding, voluntary guides also clean the park every Saturday. The service hours should be recorded after every attendance. If you want to be the volunteer in the next year, your service hours need to reach some specific numbers. Teen volunteers clean the environment on Sundays, helping organizing activities in the park, such as summer camp or guiding. Mountain cleaning is frequent activities. Now it's a little bit difficult to gather teen volunteers, because some are college students, studying at other cities; some are junior and senior high students who need to go to school on weekends. We need to make sure that these students are available for activities.
There are so many things need volunteers' help, only if you can keep doing. You can learn with adult volunteers every Saturday. The schedule is, from 9AM~10AM is environmental service, and from 10:30 to11:30 is ecological lessons. Hurrah! Finally we got a chance to be volunteers.