在頭前溪流域的末端，舊港島周遭保存的濕地環境，是潮間帶物種的生存環境，也是渡冬候鳥的棲息地。冬季時，珍貴的黑面琵鷺、白琵鷺會來到這片溼地覓食。城市的水資源分配、汙染事件，都將影響這片濕地環境的生態永續。 At the end area of the Touqian Creek, the preserved wetland environment surrounding the Jiu-Gang island serves as a habitat for intertidal species and a wintering ground for migratory birds. During winter, precious black-faced spoonbills and white spoonbills come to this wetland to forage. Urban water resource allocation and pollution incidents will impact the ecological sustainability of this wetland environment.

被限制開發的小島，是城市周圍的生態淨土，保留濱海地帶豐富的物種，依照四季節氣循環消長。早春時期，溪畔開滿月見草，像是為頭前溪披上一條黃色絲巾。 The restricted-development islands are ecological havens surrounding the city, preserving the rich biodiversity of the coastal area and following the cycle of the four seasons. In early spring, evening primroses bloom along the stream banks, like a yellow silk scarf draped over the Touqian Creek.

位於行水區的小島，與水共生，既幸福也是挑戰，雖然具有得天獨厚的親水環境，但同時也需面對天然洪患的威脅。為因應汛期洪水，島上設置諸多防洪設施，社區居民也成立防汛志工隊。與水共生，不僅依賴水利工程建設，也需累積與自然和諧共處的智慧。 Located in the river reservation zone, the small island coexists with water, a relationship that is both a blessing and a challenge. While it enjoys a uniquely advantageous waterfront environment, it also faces the threat of natural floods. To cope with floods during the rainy season, the island has installed numerous flood control facilities, and community residents have also formed a flood prevention volunteer team. Coexisting with water not only relies on water conservancy projects but also requires accumulating wisdom for harmonious coexistence with nature.

舊港過往聯外的交通方式為渡船和臨時搭建的木橋，由於木橋時常因風災毀損的緣故，只能仰賴渡船通行，1960年渡船翻覆事件後才興建第一代舊港大橋，隔年完工，1963年因葛羅里颱風毀損，1977年興建第二代舊港大橋後將其拆除，2007年興建第三代舊港大橋，2009年完工通車，亦即今日的百年防洪斜張大橋。 In the past, the only means of transportation connecting the Jiu-Gang to the outside world were ferries and temporary wooden bridges. Because the wooden bridges were often damaged by typhoons, people could only rely on ferries for passage. After a ferry capsized in 1960, the first generation of the Jiu-Gang Bridge was built and completed the following year. It was damaged by Typhoon Grori in 1963. The second generation of the Jiu-Gang Bridge was built in 1977 and then demolished. The third generation of the Jiu-Gang Bridge was built in 2007 and completed and opened to traffic in 2009. This is the century-old flood control cable-stayed bridge we see today.

新竹最容易親近一條溪的社區-舊港島。在歷經河道淤積、港口廢止、行水區禁建的歷史變革後，近年的公民參與行動，正翻轉這個社區成為一座人文生態島。 Jiu-Gang Island (means the old harbour) is the community in Hsinchu most easily accessible by a stream. After undergoing historical changes such as river siltation, port abandonment, and construction bans in the river reservation zone, recent civic engagement is transforming this community into a cultural and ecological island.

1978年，臺灣省政府擇定南投縣鹿谷鄉鳳凰谷風景特定區興建鳥園，定名「鳳凰谷鳥園」，提供休閒與學術研究場所。1982年12月18日開放營運，2013年併入國立自然科學博物館，更名「鳳凰谷鳥園生態園區」。