[Dec 4 (Wed)] Lecture in Mandarin: The Lost River: Stories Remembered by the Jhihben Wetlands ｜Huang Han-Yau｜SDG15-3 Plants and Ecosystems Series｜LACSPEC
“That vast alluvial fan, steeped in history / A marsh where water and words settle into sediment.
That river that bears Taitung / The memories of this island’s coastal plains.
Sometimes it swells with rage, sometimes it lingers / A domain of myth and poetry /
That Lost river.” – Huang Han-Yao
If you were to write a book about a river, how would you organize its chapters? Would you focus on hydrological features or include its ecosystems? Would you investigate native species alone, or consider the influence of invasive ones? Would it be a book solely about the “wild,” or one that also delves into human interactions? When we think of “nature,” do we instinctively picture a pristine wilderness untouched by humans? But is there such a thing as pure “nature”?
In The Lost River, the table of contents may feature plant names such as casuarina or cogon grass, but make no mistake—this is not merely a botanical guide. Author Huang Han-Yau takes the reader through various ecological zones of the Jhihben Wetlands, weaving a rich tapestry of multi-species history. It’s a narrative where native and invasive species, wetlands, flora, fauna, and humans—including Indigenous peoples, colonial settlers, government officials, and activists—are all intricately intertwined. What may seem like an unspoiled natural landscape is etched with layers of intertwined memories and scars. When wetlands are razed, we often lose more than we realize.
This groundbreaking work of non-fiction combines ethnography, regional studies, biographical sketches, and the lyrical traditions of nature writing. It recounts the environmental transformations of the Jhihben Wetlands, the history of human-land interactions, and reflections on the interplay between modern democratic systems and tribal ethics. In recognition of its innovative approach, The Lost River was awarded the 2023 Taiwan Literature Award for Books. SPEC is honored to invite the author himself to guide us through the vivid memories held by the Jhihben Wetlands.
Join us for an evening of recollection and insight.
Time: December 4, 2024 (Wednesday), 7:00–9:30 PM (Dinner served at 6:30 PM)
Locations:
- Yangming Campus: Zhixing Building, Room 406 (In-person Lecture)
- Guangfu Campus: Comprehensive Building I, Room 633 (Simulcast)
Registration Link: Click here or visit @nycuspec’s Linktree
Additional Information:
This event qualifies for 1 hour of LAC community activity credits, to be recorded in participants’ E-portfolios.
Details on LAC credits: Click here
Upcoming Series: Wild Action: Rediscovering the Stories of Forgotten Weeds ｜ SDG15 Plants and Ecosystems Series
- November 26 (Tuesday) Lecture: Weeds and Resilience: Healing Through Contemporary Foraging
- December 1 (Sunday) Workshop: Habitat Conservation: A One-Day Wetland Work Camp ｜ Hosted by the Wilderness Conservation Association
- December 4 (Wednesday) Lecture: The Lost River: Stories Remembered by the Jhihben Wetlands ｜ Huang Han-Yao
- December 21 (Saturday) Workshop: From Weeds to Crafts: Contemporary Foraging and Handicrafts
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