Educational Initiatives

Programs like eco-classrooms, guided tours, and school collaborations raised awareness, while immersive experiences, such as observing salmon in their natural habitats, fostered public engagement.

  • 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.
  • The general public lacks sufficient awareness of the Formosan landlocked salmon. Environmental education through diverse channels is essential to garner greater support for conservation efforts.
Reforestation and Water Quality Improvements (In-Situ Conservation)

More than 500,000 native trees were planted, converting polluted farmlands into forested areas. Additionally, wastewater treatment systems were implemented to minimize runoff from recreational zones.

  • 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 presence of high-altitude agriculture stems from the economic needs of indigenous and local communities, highlighting the importance of fostering dialogue aimed at co-existence and mutual prosperity.
Habitat Restoration (In-Situ Conservation)
  • 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.
  • After the improvement work on the weirs, the movement of silt and sand has altered the riverbed morphology both upstream and downstream, impacting the habitat environment and water quality—critical conditions for the survival of the salmon. Continuous monitoring is essential to track the trends and characteristics of riverbed evolution. 
The Establishment of Shei-Pa National Park in 1992

Shei-Pa National Park has included the Qijiawan River catchment in its protected area, with conservation plans focusing on habitat preservation and breeding programs.

  • 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.
  • During Taiwan's economic miracle in the 1960s to 1980s, human development spread to the mountains, leading to overfishing, water pollution, and habitat destruction. To conserve the Formosan landlocked salmon, the Wildlife Conservation Act was enacted, and Shei-Pa National Park was established to strengthen protection efforts.
Formosan Landlocked Salmon
The Establishment of Shei-Pa National Park in 1992
Comprehensive life-cycle breeding program (Ex-Situ Conservation)
Reintroducing the Salmon to Its Historical Habitats (Ex-Situ Conservation)
Collaborating with Local and Indigenous Communities (Ex-Situ Conservation)
Habitat Restoration (In-Situ Conservation)
Reforestation and Water Quality Improvements (In-Situ Conservation)
Educational Initiatives
Building Cross sectoral Partnerships

Hack The Planet acknowledge that our partnerships allow us to combine strengths, resources, and expertise, amplifying the impact and fostering innovative solutions. Collaborating creates shared value and builds networks, enabling mutual growth and sustainability.

Local involment:
The scanners send real-time alerts to the anti-poaching control room. These alerts can also be shared with local communities or neighboring farms, enabling them to act as third-party partners in anti-poaching efforts. By involving locals directly in the response process, the system fosters collaboration, increases situational awareness, and empowers communities to take an active role in protecting wildlife.

Scanneredge is a collaboration with Tech for Conservation organisation Smartparks, Management of national parks like Gonarezhou - Zimbabwe, park technicians, rangers(QRU) and the local community. Through this cross-sector partnership, we have demonstrated that ScannerEdge is ready for broader deployment, increasing the number of active national parks and total scanners in use.

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.

Scanneredge offers a plug&play innovation offering a quick installation that can be monitor the area for signs of potential poachers immediately after installation. 

The true success depends on the internal Rangers Quick Response Unit's ability to act swiftly and effectively on the real-time data provided. The unit must remain on constant standby, equipped with reliable transportation, and prepared to respond on poaching activity.

Building trust among stakeholders takes time but is essential for long-term collaboration.

Cross-sectoral partnerships increase funding opportunities and knowledge sharing, enhancing the overall impact.

Quick Response Unit acting on suspicious threats based on real-time data

Leveraging real-time alerts from ScannerEdge, a response unit can quickly assess and mitigate potential threats, such as poaching or other illegal activities.

Purpose: To translate RF signal detection into actionable insights that trigger swift response actions in the field.

How it Works: Alerts are routed to dedicated response teams equipped to investigate and intervene. ScannerEdge’s GPS functionality and integration into EarthRanger aids in pinpointing signal sources for precise action.

Response protocols must be clearly defined to avoid delays in decision-making.

Collaboration with local enforcement agencies enhances the effectiveness of rapid response teams.

Real-time response is more effective when combined with predictive analytics based on historical ScannerEdge data.

Mobile/Satellite Phone Monitoring

ScannerEdge specializes in monitoring RF signals from mobile and satellite phones, as well as other communication devices, to detect human activity in remote areas.

Purpose: To provide real-time intelligence on human presence or illegal activities by detecting and analyzing RF signals within a 3 km radius.

How it Works: ScannerEdge scans for RF signals (UMTS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite phones, and VHF radios) and transmits alerts via LoRaWAN or satellite connectivity. Data is centralized for further analysis and decision-making.

ScannerEdge’s ability to integrate with multiple communication networks LoRa/Satellite ensures reliable data transmission even very remote regions.

Satellite data transmission, while robust, can be cost-prohibitive and requires funding models that accommodate operational expenses.

Proper calibration to filter false positives is critical for actionable intelligence.

Technical Installation and Training

Ensuring that ScannerEdge devices are properly installed and configured in the field, with thorough training for operators to maximize their effectiveness in detecting illegal human activities.

Purpose: To equip field teams with the skills and knowledge to install, operate, and maintain ScannerEdge devices, ensuring continuous functionality in diverse environments.

How it Works: ScannerEdge is installed in strategic locations, configured via Bluetooth through a smartphone app, and calibrated to local RF conditions. Training includes understanding signal detection, troubleshooting, and device maintenance.

On-site, hands-on training yields better outcomes than theoretical sessions alone.

Operators need to understand both the technical and practical implications of the data collected.

Regular follow-ups improve long-term device functionality and user confidence.

Committee establishment, formalization and operationalization

Inclusive and participatory mapping of all stakeholders in the mangrove space in the five counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu. A series of meetings for sensitization on the National Mangrove Management Plan, and later facilitated formation of the national and five county committees. The committees were then facilitated in developing their workplans and executing some of the activities. This has since been picked up. 

Partnership and collaboration.

Inclusive processes

Willingness and trust amongst partners