In 2002, the Executive Yuan declared it the "Year of Ecotourism in Taiwan." The following year, the Taomi community in Puli Town, which envisioned its community reconstruction around an eco-village concept, was selected by the Executive Yuan as an outstanding special case for the 2002 Ecotourism Year. For 15 years, the flame of ecological learning has continued to burn, expanding from Taomi to the broader Puli area.
In 2017, coinciding with the UN's "International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development" and Taiwan's "Ecotourism Year," the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Management Office, the Puli Area Tourism Development Association, and the New Hometown Foundation collaborated to launch the "2017 Advanced Training Course for Ecotourism and Industry Development Personnel in the Puli Area" starting in April. This 52-hour diverse and engaging program covering humanities and nature training saw a total of 26 students complete two-thirds of the course hours and pass the final examination to receive certificates of completion. Among them, 10 participants were local tourism and industry development personnel joining as "learning students." The graduation ceremony will be held on the morning of July 11 at the Paper Dome, where certificates and guide uniforms will be awarded.
Director Hong Weixin of the Sun Moon Lake Management Office stated, "Under the vision of promoting sustainable tourism development that advocates environmental resources, industry development, cultural value, and social welfare economy, guides are a precious asset driving tourism development in the Puli area, allowing local charm to be seen." Ecological expert Peng Guodong, who participated in the teaching, pointed out that creating refined, high-quality tourism is a global trend, further highlighting the importance of guides. Li Rongfang, an advanced ecological guide from Taomi, settled back in Taomi after the 921 earthquake. "Through a series of ecological education programs, I came to understand ecology and helped fill the gaps in our hometown's history and culture," he said. Zeng Sumei, who dedicated herself to ecological guiding after retirement, expressed, "By sharing through guiding, I hope visitors can feel that the truth, goodness, and beauty of nature are not far away; they are right beside us." Ecological guides who have passed rigorous assessments provide at least three hours of free volunteer guiding annually, support the ecological classroom at Taoyuan Elementary School, participate in environmental protection actions, and conduct monthly ecological resource surveys for six major species. This represents a rare sustainable guiding energy in the country. You Zhaomin, a native of Puli, shared, "As a guide, the most exciting part is the outdoor butterfly surveys. Watching butterflies flutter and land on my fingers, contentedly sipping sweat droplets, I realized that happiness can be so simple and nature so approachable." Current ecological survey data from Taomi shows 164 butterfly species (39% of Taiwan's total), 23 frog species (74% of Taiwan's total), and 71 dragonfly/damselfly species (56% of Taiwan's total). The Paper Dome Learning Park, with its 15 large and small ecological ponds, is a happy haven for species. In the summer breeze, lotus flowers sway gracefully, creating a beautiful summer-exclusive scenery. Liao Jiazhan, Chairman of the Puli Area Tourism Development Association and Chairman of the New Hometown Foundation, stated, "Butterflies are an indicator species representing Puli, closely related to this land of Taiwan. In terms of butterfly species per unit area, Taiwan is among the top in the world. We should help Taiwanese people better understand butterflies, and through butterflies, let the world know Taiwan better." During the summer vacation in July and August, the New Hometown Foundation and the Sun Moon Lake Management Office co-hosted the "Earth, Embrace Summer" Sun Moon Lake Taomi Butterfly Watching Season series events. Every Saturday and Sunday, ecological guides who completed the advanced training will provide ecological tours and interactive activities in the Paper Dome Learning Park and surrounding Taomi areas. The event includes 10 sessions of Taomi Butterfly Fun and 5 sessions of Building Homes for Butterflies, with a limit of 25 participants per session. Additionally, the Paper Dome Learning Park has planned in-depth tours such as "Lotus Blooming Prosperity" and "The Incredible Natural Agriculture," hoping that visitors, besides enjoying the abundant ecology and warm hospitality, can also learn about environmentally friendly natural agriculture.
►Inquiry Phone: 049-2914922#21-33 ext. Learning Group or register online at the website
►Reservation Registration URL: https://paperdome.simplybook.me/v2/

Although overall butterfly conditions declined slightly due to climate this year, butterfly species remain abundant. A camp for butterfly watching was held at Liyu Lake Scenic Area. Reporter Lai Hsiang-shan / Minsheng News