From a Seabird's Habitat: Discovering Vulnerability and Hope at the Source of Water Systems

The Black-faced Spoonbill is one of Taiwan’s most precious winter migratory birds and serves as the real-life inspiration for Hsin Tung Yang’s beloved corporate mascot, "Pipi." Many assume seabirds spend their lives drifting on the open ocean; in reality, Black-faced Spoonbills rely heavily on shallow wetlands, brackish fishponds, estuaries, and intertidal zones for foraging and survival. When rivers suffer from waste pollution and wetlands degrade, the foraging grounds vital to these birds take the first direct hit. Confronting environmental sustainability requires far more than surface-level cleanups: we must trace back to the water's source, bend down to reduce waste at the origin, and plant seeds of ecological stewardship in the hearts of the next generation. Only then can we safeguard biodiversity and protect the shared planet we call home.

On August 19, 2022, the Mai’s Hsin Tung Yang Foundation mobilized colleagues, family members, and supply chain partners alongside children from Yilan's local "Hsin-Fu Children’s Home." Led by Hsin Tung Yang's General Manager, a group of 80 participants gathered in Su'ao, Yilan, to launch the "Pact with Seabirds" Sustainable Journey. Starting with "getting to know a single bird," the initiative unfolded into a multidimensional hands-on journey encompassing ecological restoration, water culture exploration, and local food education.

A Cross-Sector Hands-on Sustainable Classroom

Riverbank Cleanup: Environmental Education in "Waste Reduction at the Source" along the Baimi River

As the first leg of the initiative, the 80 participants divided into groups along the banks of the Baimi River. Children and adults bent down together, picking up debris washed along by the current.

• Experiencing the Ripple Effect Firsthand: Through hands-on action, the children directly understood how trash casually discarded on land travels downstream into estuaries and oceans, threatening the survival of waterbirds.

• Everyday Education Starting with Oneself: Every piece of trash kept out of the river preserves a cleaner, safer feeding space for wildlife—turning abstract "environmental protection" into an indelible memory forged with one's own hands.

Eco-Cultural Walk along the Alangshi Stream: Connecting Nature Observation with Roots in the Land

In the afternoon, the group set off along the Alangshi Stream to trace the symbiotic ties between water and daily life, walking through the Alishi Cold Spring, the "Fermented Bean Curd Cold Spring Basin," and the traditional laundry canal tucked behind the Su'ao Cold Spring Park.

• Art from Foraged Nature: Children gathered fallen branches and leaves along the riverbank, guided by team mentors to create expressive nature collages.

• A Heartwarming Reflection from a Mentor: Hsin Tung Yang colleague Xiao Yu shared: "Walking alongside the children picking up leaves and twigs, seeing the expressive artwork Xiao Wen created was deeply touching. Nature truly became the most genuine bridge between the children and the land."

Century-Old Cold Springs and Local Industry: The Deep Link Between Water Quality and Food Education

The Su'ao Cold Spring is naturally rich in carbon dioxide. In earlier eras, locals mistook the bubbling water for poison because fish could not easily thrive in the oxygen-depleted spring; it was not until the Japanese colonial era that the water was embraced to manufacture Taiwan's renowned "Ramune" marble soda. Furthermore, the pristine spring water serves as the very soul of the region's traditional fermented bean curd.

• Tasting Culture and History: Holding a bottle of marble soda, A-Yuan from the children’s home smiled brightly: "This is so delicious! I want to bring this bottle back to share with Auntie at the home!" A simple bottle offered a taste of Su'ao’s century-old hydrological history.

• Extending Food Education from Origin to Table: Xiao Li, a participating supply chain partner, shared in delight: "I never realized the subtle sweetness of fermented bean curd depended entirely on such clean local water!" This revelation aligned seamlessly with the foundation’s food education philosophy: "Understanding food through its origin, and connecting with the land through food."

Pure Companionship: Genuine Warmth by the Water Pump

True sustainability education needs no elaborate lectures; it often springs from small, profound moments.

Operating a vintage hand-pump, A-Zhe from the children’s home exclaimed excitedly: "The water pump on the road is so fun, and the water is icy cold!" Toward the end of the day, as gifts were being handed out, Xiao Xing ran up and asked: "Uncle Mai, can I help you hand out the gifts?" From initial shyness to taking the initiative to care for others, this emotional growth sparked by nature embodies the most moving value of corporate mentorship for underprivileged youths.

Long-Term Harmony: Water, Land, and Life

"Pact with Seabirds" is far more than a single river cleanup or walking tour; it is an integrated ESG endeavor linking wildlife habitat conservation (SDG 14 & 15), water resource stewardship (SDG 6), and underprivileged youth empowerment (SDG 4 & 17).

Hsin Tung Yang and the Mai’s Hsin Tung Yang Foundation remain committed to our foundational brand mission of "Culture, Education, and Care." We firmly believe:

• Water is the lifeline weaving through ecosystems;

• The land is the wellspring nurturing food and human culture;

• The environment is the shared sanctuary of all living beings.

Sustainability is a marathon of guardianship. Hsin Tung Yang will continue aligning core enterprise operations with philanthropic resources, championing land and water stewardship, and partnering with diverse stakeholders to preserve flourishing green landscapes and pristine blue waters for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the connection between Hsin Tung Yang’s "Pact with Seabirds" initiative and its corporate brand values?

A: Hsin Tung Yang’s mascot, "Pipi," is modeled after the Black-faced Spoonbill, a migratory winter bird that relies entirely on healthy estuaries and wetland habitats. By tracing the water source through river cleanups and educational walks along Su'ao's Baimi River and Alangshi Stream, Hsin Tung Yang transforms its brand identity into concrete environmental stewardship to safeguard habitats and water resources.

Q2: What positive social impact did this project deliver in terms of social inclusion?

A: Led by executive leadership, the initiative engaged company employees, their families, and supply chain partners alongside disadvantaged youths from "Hsin-Fu Children’s Home." Through cross-generational companionship, natural arts and crafts, and local cultural exploration, the children built self-confidence and environmental literacy within an authentic real-world setting, demonstrating meaningful stakeholder engagement and social inclusion.