To enhance public awareness of the correct use of herbicides and promote manual and mechanical weed removal methods, this project will conduct vacant land weed management through inspections from March 18, 2024, to October 18, 2024. The project focuses on advocating for environmentally friendly weed control through mechanical weeding to reduce the potential environmental and ecological hazards caused by herbicide use. During the project period, inspections were carried out in 35 districts, identifying 33 instances of land with withered weeds in Fengshan District, Lingya District, Gushan District, and Shanlin District. These findings have been reported to the relevant authorities for further notification. The project also assisted in the inspection of 9 complaint cases related to herbicide spraying, which involved on-site weed sampling and testing. Additionally, 8 on-site inspections were conducted for recipients of the 2023 subsidy, and the project continued to assist the city government in processing applications for electric lawn mower subsidies. The project also reinforced the promotion of Kaohsiung City’s Herbicide Management Regulations, reminding purchasers of the correct scope of herbicide use. For volunteers of the Environmental Protection Bureau and community development associations in Kaohsiung, the project promoted weed management concepts, publicized local regulations, and provided guidance on performing mechanical weed removal in vacant lots. The promotion emphasized environmentally friendly prevention methods to mitigate the potential harm caused by herbicide use on the environment and ecology. During the project period, five promotional sessions and on-site mechanical weeding demonstrations were held at Cishan District Sugar Factory Community Activity Center, Guopi Village Community in Fengshan District, Maolin District Multi-functional Activity Center, Aozidi Forest Park in Gushan District, and the Old Iron Bridge Wetland Ecological Education Park in Dashu District. A total of 405 people participated in these events, and the mechanical weeding demonstrations covered an area of 863 square meters. In addition, two training sessions were held to deepen participants' understanding of the importance of various plants in the living environment for the overall ecosystem and daily life. Public awareness of Kaohsiung City's Herbicide Management Regulations was further enhanced through a 15-second advertisement broadcast on digital billboards at Guanghua Night Market, Minzu/Jiuru Second Road intersection, and Fengshan Youth Road intersection. A total of 6,000 ads were broadcast. To strengthen the promotion of Kaohsiung City's electric lawn mower subsidy, the project partnered with Hit FM Gaoping Radio (FM90.1) from June 1 to July 31, 2024, using conversational broadcasts and verbal promotions by radio hosts. These broadcasts reached an estimated audience of 679,391 people across Kaohsiung and Pingtung regions. Additionally, online advertisements were placed on Facebook, reaching approximately 11,286 people. The subsidy was also promoted through New Kaohsiung Cable TV, covering Qianzhen District, Sanmin District, Zuoying District, and Lingya District. Through these diverse initiatives, the project aims to encourage the public to adopt environmentally friendly weed management practices for vacant land, thereby reducing the use of herbicides and fuel-powered lawn mowers, contributing to the collective protection of our environment.

herbicide management