A Canadian conservationist has decided to spend a month kayaking around the island of Taiwan in order to raise funds for a campaign meant to provide education about oceans and environmental protection.
Mark Western, who is married to a Taiwanese national, will embark on his round-the-island kayaking trip from Fishermen's Wharf in Tamshui on May 1 -- Earth Day.
The fund-raising campaign is being organized by the Society of Wilderness and the Kuroshio Ocean Educational Foundation, according to a society spokesman.
Western, a University of Toronto graduate who majored in physical education, has lived in Taiwan for 12 years.
He raised NT$4.2 million (US$127,000) for 10 orphanages and other institutions in a round-the-island walk that he completed four years ago.
Speaking Sunday at a press conference co-hosted by the society and the Taipei City Government, Western said that the round-the-island kayaking trip will be a challenge for him.
However, he said that he is glad to take on the challenge for the sake of the nation that he now calls home.
According to society officials, Western will go ashore every night during the one-month kayaking trip, with some 50 Taiwan kayakers taking turns accompanying him along his journey.
The funds raised through the kayaking trip will be used to finance 190 sessions on ocean education that the society is planning to hold around the nation beginning June 1.
The funds will also be used to finance a beach garbage monitoring project being planned by the foundation, society officials said.
Western, an avid fan of outdoors activities, has in the past conducted a 500km walk along the Great Wall of China and kayaked along the turbulent northern section of the Yellow River.
Also speaking at Sunday's press conference, Taipei City Deputy Mayor Ou Chin-der (
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