Participatory actions for investigating eco-craft trail activities: a case of Pinglin in Taiwan

Abstract

The "eco-craft trail" is firmly grounded in the principles of nature-based solutions (NBS), which advocate for the preservation of ecology. It adopts a site-specific intervention approach that considers natural and cultural contexts to restore trail facilities while prioritizing the protection of the natural environment and the preservation of cultural and historical characteristics. Moreover, it aimed to engage local communities in local affairs or by convening volunteers on a working holiday. However, there has been less focus on the divergence in context-specific knowledge between local residents and outsider participants in NBS events, as well as the identified implications for rural governance. This paper aims to address these theoretical gaps by examining a case study of eco-craft trail maintenance through a participatory action process. Our study involved conducting participatory action research, including in-depth interviews with 17 participants, to explore the rural governance in Pinglin before and after eco-craft trail maintenance events. The research revealed that local residents in Pinglin demonstrate a significant level of commitment to environmental conservation and exhibit a strong sense of attachment to their local community. Within the framework of multi-stakeholder collaboration, our study found that local individuals, as opposed to outsider volunteers, display a reluctance to deviate from their established work habits. This phenomenon, referred to as tshiú-lōo in Taiwanese, embodies a collective body memory rooted in customary knowledge and physical skills unique to the local community. This paper suggests that the maintenance of eco-craft trails cannot solely rely on government resources. Instead, it necessitates comprehensive training and preparation to effectively integrate local residents with outsider volunteers in collaborative efforts. Recommendations for enhancing multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential for advancing environmental conservation, rural governance, and facilitating sustainable transformation.