Title	Pingding Dengfong Channel Survey Activity
Time	October 28, Wednesday, 1:00pm ~ 5:00 pm
Location	Pingding Ancient Channel – Dengfong (near Lane 95, Pingjin Street, Shilin District, Taipei City).
Participants	10 students, 3 advisors, Chi-Sing Irrigation Association guide Mr. Yong-Sheng Lin, Chi-Sing Irrigation Association Management Section Head Ming-Xio Zhou, Pingding Ancient Channel Ecology introduction by Teacher Wei-Ling Chen
Post-survey suggestions for Dengfong Channel	1. Long pants and jackets for clothing are recommended due to the large number of mosquitos and insects in the mountain. 2. Some sections of the roads are wet and slippery, wear sneakers and other anti-slip shoes are recommended. 3. Some areas are available for water play, prepare towel for drying.  4. Always company each other and carry your mobile phone with you for contact and avoid missing persons. 5. Cherish the environment and do not vandalize the grass and trees. No littering.

Pingding Dengfong Channel Survey Review

Today after school, we took a small bus, followed Chi-Sing Irrigation Association guide, Big Brother Lin and Big Brother Zhou who arranged schedule for us to conduct survey at Dengfong Channel of Pingding Ancient Channel. Apart from the survey, the Association invited an ecology expert, Teacher Chen, to explain to us the different animals and plants of the channel. 

The first stop for our bus was the origin of Dengfong Channel, where we saw many plants that only grow in humid areas, i.e. elatostema and white gourd. These plants were very strange to me and I have never heard of the names before. Teacher Chen told us that when we see these plants, we would be very sure that this is a very humid area. It shows that these plants all like to grow in humid area. However that area was wet and slippery, and it felt that we could fall at any time if not being careful. So we all took precaution to avoid falling.

On the way to Dengfong Channel, Teacher Chen often stopped to carefully explain various plants for us. For example, the Formosanum Elderberry frequently appearing in the suburbs of Taipei has small white flowers with special smell and almost like chicken broth. Taiwan indigenous people often grind it and add charcoal to add adhesion, making it into medical patch that is said to cure the lower back pain. It sounded quite amazing. Apart from the plants mentioned above, Teacher Chen also explained many wonderful plants and we just kept writing notes while listening to him carefully, as we did not want to miss any record. The thing most impressed me along the way was when Teacher Chan saw the valuable plant, “Taiwanese Cibotium,” he was really happy and touched, he said: “Good thing the residents here all cherish this plan. In Chinese medicine, it is a valuable medicine and not many places in Taiwan now can see this plant.” I think I now value these insignificant plants and flowers more after listening to the explanation by Teacher Chen.

This time the roads for Dengfong Channel survey were quite flat and not as curvy like last time. We did not scream due to freight and I felt very comfortable. I really appreciate Chi-Sing Irrigation Association for sending such professional guide, Teacher Chen, who explained the different organisms in the channel so that we, the city children, all broadened our horizon from this survey. We also found out that there are so many rare and valuable treasures on Yangmingshan.

This was our second time conducting survey at Pingding Ancient Survey, Dengfong Channel and the lastly built among the three channels. Moreover, Big Brother Zhou and Big Brother Lin from the Association invited Teacher Wei-Ling Chen, the expert in plants and animals, to explain the animals and plants of the channel to us.

The trails to Dengfong Channel were much easier to walk, compared with the roads taken for last survey. We also saw many agricultural crops growing in remote regions from our walk. Teacher Chen led us on the trail while explaining the various plants to us. The most impressive plant for me was the Taiwanese Cibotium. It looked just like other average plants with small leaves and insignificant. However Teacher Chen said that this is some valuable ingredient in Chinese medicine and it is now rare to see in the wilderness. I then realized that this Channel was hidden with lots of treasures. After taking a small path, we arrived to a place with a large pond. After asking the teacher, I found out that this was the water origin of Dengfong Channel. It was a pity that the teacher only allowed us to play for five minutes here. Perhaps it was the magic brought by the cool creek water, our fatigue feeling all went away after playing and relaxing here. On our way home, Teacher Chen continued to introduce us many plants, such as the Green Ramie which Taiwanese indigenous people use to weave apparatus, Margaret Rotang Palm for making soup, and Common Schefflera used as ingredients for popsicles. I was quite amazed by the diversity of special plants.

I have not only brought home lots of memories but benefited substantially from this survey. I have acquired much plant related knowledge and absorbed information related to nature and ecology. I really appreciate Teacher Chen, Big Brother Lin, Big Brother He, and Big Brother Zhou who took time to guide us through the channel and prepared so many activities for us. I have really learned a lot and thank you so much.