24/09/2026
We asked local stewards around the world to write a letter from the perspective of their heritage place or practice. Here's what Shenkeng District, Taiwan, said to Jessica.
âI have witnessed your rise and fall because of tea.â
For generations, Shenkeng has been shaped by tea, rivers, trade, and a vibrant living community. Once an important trading hub, its harbor connected the district to people and places beyond its mountains. Today, climate change and social changes are putting pressure on the systems that have sustained Shenkeng for generations.
âThe earth and air are burning intensely. I saw animals and plants crying out in anguish.â
As temperatures rise and rain patterns change, Shenkengâs tea landscapes and rivers are changing. At the same time, population loss and an aging farming population are affecting the continuity of local knowledge, livelihoods, and traditions.
But there are stewards like Jessica who cherish and care for Shenkeng, working with the community to understand these changes and lay the foundation for locally led adaptation.
âProtect me. Protect all beautiful things. Preserve the beauty of the past, even into the future.â
Jessica is helping Shenkeng take action for the future, bringing together local experiences, knowledge, and climate risk information to help strengthen the districtâs capacity to adapt while caring for the heritage that makes it unique.
She took the Heritage Adapts! pledge to adapt by 2030 and joined the global community of action for support, connection, and guidance.
Will you join her @ act.heritageadapts.org
