【Epoch Times May 10, 2025】The Northern California College Association held a delightful and fun spring outing last weekend at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, attracting over 200 alumni and their families and friends from 23 Taiwanese-American universities. The atmosphere at the event was lively and joyful.
The day’s hiking activities included three routes of varying difficulty and features. Route A was a leisurely 2-mile trail inside the refuge, suitable for all ages, with beautiful scenery that could be completed in about half an hour. Route B was a challenging 6-mile trail leading to Coyote Hills Regional Park, ideal for hiking enthusiasts and taking approximately 2 hours. There was also the “Kids Meet Ranger” designed for families, led by ranger Miguel, allowing over 30 children and their parents to explore wetland ecology, learn about flora and fauna, and engage in conservation education.
Additionally, a designated rest area was set up with freshly brewed high-mountain tea, black tea, coffee, and delicate snacks for friends or families not participating in the hikes to relax and socialize, catering to different needs.
The “Kids Meet Ranger” activity, negotiated between the Association and the wildlife refuge, had ranger Miguel guide children to watch ecological introduction videos and explore wetland flora and fauna. The kids were delighted to spot owls and the endangered Ridgway’s Rail through binoculars, gaining a hands-on experience of animal habitats and learning a lot.
At the visitor center, parents encouraged their children to contribute pocket money into donation boxes, fostering values of gratitude and giving back. The event concluded with the children taking the Junior Ranger oath to protect wildlife habitats and creating thank-you cards to present to the rangers.
On that day, the Association provided freshly brewed beverages, breakfast snacks, and small tote bags containing oranges and nuts to replenish the energy of the hikers.
After the activities, over 100 participants gathered for lunch at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant in Union City, creating a lively and warm atmosphere, marking a perfect end to the event.
President Xie Zaoxun told Epoch Times that the spring outing is one of the Association’s seasonal events aimed at fostering alumni friendships and attracting new members. The event successfully recruited at least 20 new friends who were not previously part of the alumni association, with many expressing their willingness to engage with the Association or their alma mater’s alumni association to expand the Bay Area alumni network.
Vice President Huo Qinglai, who began preparations in January, personally conducted multiple site visits to the wildlife refuge and actively coordinated with the park offices, successfully securing a small cabin as a reception and resting area and carefully planning children’s nature exploration and ecological education programs.
Huo told Epoch Times that the event’s greatest success lay in meeting the participants’ needs, allowing individuals of different age groups to find ways to engage that were suitable for them. The overall satisfaction rate reached as high as 95%, making the outcomes very gratifying.
Secretary Wei Ling added that the refuge operates on federal funding and is free to the public, urging participants to sign petitions to urge Congress to continue funding its operation.
Philip Tsai, attending the spring outing for the second time, commended the Association for well-planned activities that catered to various needs with the three hiking routes. Children learned about environmental protection and gratitude through ecological explorations, combining education with fun. He especially praised the high-mountain tea, black tea, and delicate snacks provided on-site, making the hiking process even more enjoyable.
Annie Liao, an alumna of National Taiwan University, attended with her family, expressing that the event allowed her to reunite with many friends in the Bay Area. After her daughter participated in the ranger tour, she excitedly shared experiences of seeing snakes and unique bird species, fully enjoying the outing. Mr. Xie from National Taiwan University also thanked the Association for thoughtful planning, mentioning that his daughter was reluctant to leave and said, “I don’t want to go.”
Several parents also praised the thoughtful event arrangements, noting that it not only provided learning and fun for their children but also allowed parents to interact freely. One parent humorously remarked, “This wasn’t just a bird-watching activity, it was also a test of children’s observational skills and endurance!” The event was warm and enriching, leaving a deep impression on all participants. ◇