:::
202403/12
On March 12, 2024, President Tsai Ing-Wen, accompanied by Deputy Secretary-General Chang Yu-Jung of the Legislative Yuan, Deputy Secretary-General Huang Lin-Lun of the Judicial Yuan, Deputy Secretary-General Liu Wen-Shih of the Control Yuan, Secretary-General Liu Chien-Sin of the Examination Yuan, Deputy Minister Chen Tian-Shou of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Director-General Lin Hwa-Ching of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA), attended the 2024 Presidential Tree Planting Even at the Mountain Campus of National Chengchi University this morning. They planted native Taiwanese tree species suitable for the area such as Japanese blue oak (Cyclobalanopsis glauca), woodland elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpus sylvestris), Japanese bay tree (Machilus thunbergii), Mori Cleyera (Cleyera japonica var. morii (Yamam.) Masamune), Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana), Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa), and Taiwan trident maple (Acer buerferianum Miq.), alongside local school teachers and students, to create a sustainable Taiwan through tree planting activities.
President Tsai mentioned in her speech that this year’s International Day of Forests theme is “Forests and Innovations: New solutions for a better world.” Last year, the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture was reorganized into the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) under the Ministry of Agriculture. Over the past nearly eight years, this agency has introduced many innovative forest management policies, such as promoting native forest plants and creating honey source forests and an under-forest economy. The goal has been to enhance the quality and sustainability of forests, allowing people from different backgrounds to share the benefits of forests, using forests to improve livelihoods, and reestablishing the close relationship between mountain tribal residents and forests to become a true community of shared life. At the same time, through this tree planting event, Taiwan is declaring its commitment to strengthening its contribution as a forest carbon sink, achieving the “2050 Net-Zero Emissions Goal,” and creating a more abundant and biodiverse environment.
The species planted at the tree planting event were all locally-based, each with its unique characteristics. Woodland elaeocarpus is particularly suitable for mushroom cultivation, Japanese blue oak provides food sources for wildlife in the forests, and Japanese blue oak and Mori Cleyera produce abundant honey sources, attracting bees and butterflies for pollination. Chinese dogwood and Taiwan trident maple, which have an excellent landscape value. There is also the Callery pear that blooms like snow in March, and when the flowers fade and bear fruit, they attract many birds looking for food. These tree species possess both abundant ecological significance and stunning visual appeal. It is hoped that these tree saplings will grow into a beautiful forest with economic, ecological, and landscape value in 20 years, becoming a delightful place for people and various creatures to enjoy.
The FANCA stated that each year’s tree planting event has a specific promotional theme. This year’s theme is “Let’s Plant Trees Together.” With the increasing demand for urban greening and quality of life improvements, the relationship between humans and forests should aim to form a community of shared life. Tree planting not only improves environmental quality, but also helps maintain the stability of urban ecosystems, enhances physical and mental health, and beautifies urban landscapes. Everyone is encouraged to actively participate in tree planting activities, taking practical actions to green our living environment and collectively build a sustainable Taiwan.