Leading global soundscape conservation action, Yangmingshan National Park has become the world's first urban quiet park.
In 2020, under the panic of the New Coronary Pneumonia （COVID-19） epidemic, people need a sense of tranquility. In order to encourage them to connect with nature, recuperate their bodies and minds, and promote the concept of soundscape conservation, Yangmingshan National Park today held ‘the Certification and Press Conference of International Urban Quiet Park.’ Becoming the world's first urban quiet park makes the action of soundscape conservation a big step forward.
Under the witness of the public, Yangmingshan National Park has become the World’s First International Urban Quiet park.
Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters held ‘the Certification and Press Conference of International Urban Quiet Park.‘ The participants include Vikram Chauhan, President of Quiet Parks International, Gordon Hempton, Chief Secretary, UIf Bohman, Chief Executive Officer of Urban Quiet Park, Laila Fan, Certification member, and Chen Junlin, eco-psychologist at Yadong Hospital, Landscape conservation scholar Professor Wang Xin and others.
Mr. UIf said: "The value of Yangmingshan National Park is self-evident, not only because she has a rich and pure voice of nature, but also she has diverse environmental resources. I deeply realize that the existence of the Urban Quiet Park will help encourage people to walk out of their homes and listen to nature. So I hope that after Yangmingshan National Park joins the ranks of the Urban Quiet Parks, it will attract more tourists to come to experience nature, and then learn how to listen to Nature. Wang Xin, a professor from the Institute of Geosciences, China Cultural University, said: "Joseph Bharat Cornell came to Taiwan for environmental education activities, and he proposed the concept of ’All goodness comes from silence.’ This is very important for national parks. Managing the environment helps urbanites increase their concentration and helps them to solve problems as well.
“A lot of times we are discussing how to help patients stop the noise in their brains. Actually, experiencing a moment of tranquility will be helpful for them." Chen Junlin, a famous psychologist, said. "For example, when we calm down beside Menghuan Pond,the chirping of insects and songbirds heals our soul. The Urban park provides us with a place where we can get a moment of tranquility.
The audio book "Listening by the Lake" was played in the venue, leading everyone to experience the power of tranquility. The certification ceremony was witnessed by Ms. Fan Qinhui, the founder of Taiwan Soundscape Association and QPI certification member, and the leader of National Park Group Zhang Weiquan of the Construction Department of the Ministry of the Interior. The certificate of the Urban Quiet Park was awarded to Yangmingshan National Park. Liu peidong,director of the Park, said “This declares that Taiwan's national parks will officially enter the era of ‘conservation of soundscapes.’ Tranquility is a thinking of equally treating and respecting all beings. It is a life attitude as well. Yangmingshan National Park invites everyone to concern the environment we live in. This is not only the responsibility of national parks, but also the mission of all mankind.”
Ms. Fan Qinhui, founder of the Taiwan Soundscape Association and QPI certification member （the first one on the right） introduced the feature of Menghuan Pond.
After the press conference, Director Liu Peidong and Ms. Fan Qinhui accompanied the guests to experience the silent trail beside Menghuan Pond in person. Along the way, there are interpretive signs introducing the hosts in this land in a simple and concise way: Taipei tree frogs, Yangmingshan Cicadas（tanna sozanensis）, and Formosa blue magpies, etc. This is an invitation from nature. Later, the students of Hutian Elementary School led all guests to listen to the rustle of the breeze blowing through the forest, the croak of the crested serpent eagles, and the touching tone of the Taiwanese cicadas by the side of the pond. At this moment, everyone's body and mind seem to be healed.
June 5th is World Environment Day. Yangmingshan National Park announced to the world on this day, awakening the public's attention to nature quiet. By connecting with nature, we must concern about the need of listening for other creatures. Through quiet contemplation, one can construct the value and attitude towards listening. They are also the practice of the world’s soundscape conservation action.
Liu peidong （the fifth from the left） , director of Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters, and others listen to nature by the side of Menghuan Pond.
For more information about ‘Yangmingshan National Park becomes the world's first urban quiet park,’ please visit our official website: https://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/ or the Quiet Park International website : Https://www.quietparks.org