202503/12
To advocate tree planting to create an ecological green network, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and the National United University held the 2025 “Weaving an Ecological Green Network” Central Joint Tree Planting Event at the Bajia Campus of the university on March 12. Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-Jih said that the Bajia Campus of National United University in Miaoli was specially selected for this year’s tree planting not only because it's an important site along the ecological corridor but also because it's a key activity area for the leopard cat. He added that every tree planted that day will grow into a dense forest in the future, which will contribute to the sustainable development of Taiwan’s ecosystems and create a better environment for the next generation.
The FANCA stated that Miaoli County is an important habitat of the leopard cat (
Prionailurus bengalensis). The National United University’s Bajia Campus in Miaoli is located in the conservation corridor found in the foothills of the mountains in southern Miaoli. The area is interwoven with tea plantations, mountains, farmlands, tea houses, and settlements. Multiple ethnic groups are also found here. It is a typical Satoyama environment where people and nature coexist, and it is also an important node along the Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN). In addition, the area is also close to the native distribution area of the Miaoli oriental white oak (
Quercus aliena). In 2017, the oriental white oak was listed as critically endangered on the 2017 Red List of Vascular Plants of Taiwan. The tree has an elegant form and its fruits are an important food source for wild animals. Oriental white oak, ring-cupped oak (
Quercus glauca), Callery pear (
Pyrus calleryana), fried egg plant (
Polyspora axillaris), and Sexton's bride (
Rhaphiolepis umbellata) were planted at this year’s tree planting event. In addition to declaring the restoration of the oriental white oak’s native habitat, the planted tress trees will also provide food sources for insects and birds and create a multi-level environment with different tree species, strengthening its function as an ecological corridor and enhancing the ecological resilience of the region.
Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-Jih said that forests are not only our environmental assets, but are also closely related to food security. The theme of this year’s International Day of Forests is “Forests and Food” to remind us that forests are not only key to maintaining ecological balance, but are closely related to human activities by providing a variety of edible plants, supporting agricultural ecosystems, and promoting local industries. Therefore, the government is actively promoting forest management so that the value of forests can become the key to supporting local development.
According to the FANCA, the tree planting site is located in the conservation corridor found in the foothills of the mountains in southern Miaoli, which is of great significance. The Taiwan Ecological Network Mapping platform established by the FANCA has made public 45 regional conservation corridors, 44 biodiversity priority areas, and a number of ecological landscape maps across Taiwan. It is an important blueprint for the spatial management of Taiwan’s biodiversity conservation, and provides a solid foundation of information to support the government and civil organizations in incorporating conservation measures into land use and management planning. It is hoped that through the campus tree planting event, it will allow more people to care about the environment and attract different generations to join in the conservation efforts, enabling us to build a sustainable life in which people and nature can coexist harmoniously across different environments, from forests to coasts.
Every year during the Tree-Planting Month, the FANCA also works with its branches to launch a seedling donation drive to encourage the public to participate in the tree planting actions, in the hopes that more people will plant the seeds of hope with their own hands and add new life to the environment. Every tree planted, whether in gardens, parks, communities or even in schools, can help complete the Taiwan Ecological Network.
Director General Lin Hwa-Ching of the FANCA, Deputy Secretary-General Chang Yu-Jung of the Legislative Yuan, and Miaoli County Deputy Magistrate Chiu Li-Li all attended the event. Together with President Hou Ti-Kuang of National United University, as well as staff and students, they planted native Taiwanese tree species such as ring-cupped oaks, oriental white oaks, Chinese cork oaks (
Quercus variabilis), cloud-mountain evergreen oaks (
Quercus sessilifolia Blume), Callery pears, fried egg plants, and Sexton's brides. This event also aimed to declare the creation of an ecological corridor for leopard cats, linking the Taiwan Ecological Network.