Creating Northern Taiwan's First International-Class Wetland, DBS Invests 30 Million to Protect Tamsui River

In response to the global sustainability wave moving towards Nature Positive, DBS Bank (Taiwan) today announced an investment of NT$30 million over three years, in partnership with the Wild Bird Society, to launch the "Ecological Tamsui River Guardian Star Plan." The initiative aims to enhance the ecological quality of the Tamsui River basin, with a particular focus on transforming Wugu Wetland into Northern Taiwan's first international-class wetland. This will be advanced through three key areas: habitat restoration, scientific insights, and environmental education. The Wild Bird Society and other non-governmental organizations have been advocating for the conservation of Wugu Wetland since 2002 and began managing the Wugu Wetland Ecological Park in collaboration with the New Taipei City Riverbank Engineering Management Office in 2004. To reshape the habitat for precious and rare endangered species such as Black-faced Spoonbills, Black Kites, Kingfishers, Pied Avocets, and Common Coots, civil groups have used light machinery and manual labor to clear channels, remove reeds, and control invasive species like Spartina alterniflora, allowing tidal flows to move smoothly across the land. This morning, DBS Bank held a press conference at the Wugu Wetland Education Center within New Taipei Metropolitan Park. DBS Bank (Taiwan) Managing Director Huang Shih-han and Wild Bird Society Chairman Li Chi-ting donned "frog suits" and wielded shovels under the hot sun to remove reeds. Huang Shih-han stated that the Tamsui River basin is not only one of Northern Taiwan's important wetland ecosystems but also carries the memories of Taipei's development. DBS Bank has been deeply rooted in Taiwan for over 43 years, consistently committed to coexisting with the land and feels a responsibility to actively participate in the restoration and regeneration of this river. He added that corporate responsibility towards natural ecology should not stop at "mitigating impact" but should actively "restore" it. Only when financial performance, social inclusion, and environmental responsibility move in the same direction can sustainable long-term value truly be created. Huang Shih-han revealed that DBS Bank has long been concerned about local ecological and environmental issues in Taiwan. Each employee receives two days of volunteer leave annually and is encouraged to perform seven hours of volunteer service, fostering team spirit and promoting sustainability. Wild Bird Society Chairman Li Chi-ting remarked that Northern Taiwan currently lacks an international-class wetland, and they hope to gradually improve the ecological quality of the Tamsui River basin through combined efforts, elevating it from a national-level to an "international-class wetland." DBS Bank (Taiwan) Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking and Chairman of the Sustainability Committee, Luo Lun-yu, pointed out that the "Ecological Tamsui River Guardian Star Plan" will involve systematic and long-term investment, advancing through habitat restoration, scientific insights, and environmental education. This will strengthen the ecosystem of the Tamsui River basin and continuously build resilience against future environmental challenges. Luo Lun-yu added that as global attention to nature-related risks increases, DBS Bank proactively incorporates nature into its risk management and long-term development strategies. In addition to providing diverse and innovative green and sustainable financial solutions, they also leverage their investment and financing influence to direct capital towards industries and actions that have a positive environmental impact, working together to create a better sustainable future for Taiwan.