The only algae reef ecological environment classroom in Taiwan is located in Xinwu District, Taoyuan City. It was formerly a closed landfill, the Yongxing Landfill, which was sealed for over a decade. The Taoyuan City government prioritized algae reef conservation and invested NT$15 million in 2018 to revitalize and transform the landfill into an algae reef ecological environment classroom, which was inaugurated on July 4, 2019. The classroom uses real-life observations, sensory experiences, and multimedia interactions to educate visitors about algae reef ecosystems. The facility offers free admission and guided tours can be booked online. Visitors can observe the algae reef and intertidal zone ecosystems in person, aligned with the tides, allowing more people to experience the algae reef environment firsthand. This initiative aims to make the algae reef ecological environment classroom not just a display but a meaningful coastal environmental education site.
The algae reefs along Taoyuan's coast stretch approximately 27 kilometers, from Shalun in Daxi to Guanxin in Xinwu. These reefs are formed by plant-based organisms and represent the largest and most intact algae reef terrain in Taiwan, with an existence of over 4,000 years. The coastal area surrounding the algae reef ecological environment classroom is part of the Guanyin Algae Reef Ecosystem Wildlife Protected Area, located at the southernmost tip of Taoyuan's algae reef belt, extending about 4.3 kilometers. The porous ecosystem here fosters rich biodiversity.
To protect this precious algae reef ecosystem, the algae reef ecological environment classroom aims to promote environmental education, serving functions of rehabilitation, conservation, education, and recreation. The city government collaborates with the Xinwu District Yongxing Community Development Association to manage the site and cultivate local ecological guides. On November 3, 2021, the classroom obtained the "Environmental Education Facility" certification from the Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan. This effort seeks to unite the public in cherishing Taoyuan's precious algae reef resources along the coastline.
The algae reef ecological environment classroom features multiple themes, including algae reef experiences, crises, characteristics, and community involvement in protecting algae reef habitats. It offers a 2-hour environmental education course titled "A Millennium of Love." In the future, additional courses such as exploring the mysterious Houhu Creek, observing windbreak forest ecosystems, experiencing life in ancient Yongxing houses, and hand-painting koi fish will be planned to make environmental education more engaging and enjoyable.