Launching in June 2025, the Protected Area Technician (PAT) Training Programme has been developed by CCF to empower local communities to protect nature.

This tailored programme is designed to build practical, in-demand skills that create real opportunities—from entry-level technician roles to long-term careers in leadership and consulting within protected areas. Co-developed with industry experts and rooted in local needs, the curriculum blends hands-on field training with applied conservation technology knowledge.

Participants will graduate with job-ready skills to support and maintain vital conservation tech infrastructure. They’ll also have the opportunity to earn a PAT Certification, with a pathway to a globally recognised Cisco Certification—unlocking even broader career potential in the conservation and tech sectors.

By investing in local talent, the PAT programme helps communities take a leading role in protecting the natural landscapes they call home.

CCF has a long-term partnership with the AI2 Team, which developed this software. 

• When using LoRaWAN, data is transmitted wirelessly to a gateway. The gateway listens for the corresponding signals and transmits them to a LoRaWAN network server, which is connected to the Internet.
• Deploying a LoRaWAN network is quicker and much more accessible than setting up a conventional cellular system.
• Operation requires minimal infrastructure. Setting up cables and making connections to the power line is not required. Network design and optimisation are also simplified, as with one gateway, you can cover a larger area very effectively.

• Collects data from the LoRaWan Gateways and transports this data from field-based sensors onto Node Red, which sends data to Earth Ranger (a data visualisation software).
• It can be self-managed through training. 
• It is easy to replicable.
• It can be deployed on-premise or on the cloud

• The Formosan landlocked salmon serves as a vital environmental indicator; protecting this species contributes to overall environmental improvement.
• Environmental education initiatives include interpretive services and guided tours along Qijiawan River, collaborative community and tribal education efforts, conservation-focused courses and ecological camps designed with schools, and volunteer recruitment for hands-on conservation work.
• Plans are underway to introduce immersive experience classrooms, where participants can wear wetsuits and enter the stream to observe the Formosan landlocked salmon in its natural habitat. These experiences aim to deepen public understanding, foster care, and inspire action to protect stream ecosystems and water resources.

• High-altitude agriculture in the upper Dajia River and its tributaries polluted the ecosystem, with water quality degradation being a primary factor in the near extinction of the Formosan landlocked salmon.
• An intact forest environment supports the three critical conditions for the salmon's survival: temperature regulation, food availability, and clean water.
• In 1997, plans were initiated to install wastewater treatment systems to manage sewage from Wuling Farm and surrounding recreational areas, with the first plant becoming operational in 2002.
• Negotiations with Wuling Farm facilitated its transition toward eco-tourism, reducing agricultural activities and reclaiming farmland for reforestation.
• In collaboration with the Forestry Bureau, 500,000 native trees were planted along the Qijiawan River and on reclaimed farmland to restore the riparian ecosystem.
• In December 2006, the final 8.1 hectares of private land in the Wuling area were acquired, ensuring the Qijiawan River habitat remains free from pollution caused by high-altitude agriculture.

• The conservation initiatives launched in the 1980s ultimately faced setbacks, with efforts declared unsuccessful in the 1990s. Key challenges identified included the absence of deep pools and typhoon shelters in high-altitude streams, along with disrupted habitat connectivity caused by silt traps.
• Between 1999 and 2001, four silt traps on Gaoshan Creek, a tributary of Qijiawan River, were gradually removed or improved, leading to the observation of natural spawning by juvenile salmon.
• In 2010, an assessment revealed that the No. 1 silt trap at the lowest part of Qijiawan River was a critical bottleneck, and it was removed in 2011.

• The Formosan landlocked salmon, discovered in 1917, is a unique species that is considered a "glacial relict." It is found exclusively in the high-altitude streams of central Taiwan, marking the southernmost and highest-altitude wild distribution of any salmon species in the world. This species is regarded as a natural monument and an iconic national treasure.
• By 1984, the Formosan landlocked salmon was nearly extinct, with 90% of its historic range across five streams reduced, leaving only about 200 individuals.
• In 1989, the Wildlife Conservation Act was enacted, listing the Formosan landlocked salmon as an endangered species (EN), signaling the urgent need for conservation.

To establish a successful cross-sector partnership, it is essential to clearly define each partner's role and level of involvement from the outset. Ensuring local ownership of the solution is crucial for achieving long-term sustainability and impact.

Purpose: To align resources, expertise, and strategic goals across different sectors for effective implementation and operational success.

How it Works: Partnerships are built through workshops, shared missions, and transparent agreements outlining roles and responsibilities. Regular evaluations ensure partnerships remain productive.