On Feb. 26th the Council of Agriculture officially launched the Arbor Month by holding a press conference entitled "Protect Taiwan by Afforestation". The Just Apple Children's Theater Troupe, which often gives environmental protection themed performances, was invited to perform the "Protect Taiwan by Afforestation" dance number. Renowned eco-literature writer Liu Ke-xiang was also invited to become the "Forest Ambassador" for the event.

In order to promote tree-planting and greening, COA's Forestry Bureau organized the "Arbor Month" drive running from March 1st to 31st. During this period, the COA's 8 forest district offices will invite local governments, schools, communities, and local residents to join forces in hosting more than 200 tree-planting events annually. The Forestry Bureau had also invited President Ma, Ying-jeou, Vice President Wu, Den-yih, and heads of the 5 Yuans to plant trees at the Central Government Tree-Planting Memorial Ceremony on March 12th Arbor Day in New Taipei City. Awards and commendations were conferred to distinguished individuals and institutions for their efforts in environmental and forest protection in the same afternoon. Through such events, the authorities hope to plant the ideas and benefits of forestation into people's minds.

The COA continues to promote forestation in order to enrich Taiwan's forest resources

COA's vice minister Hu, Sing-hwa pointed out in his speech that with the recent extreme climate changes, it is immensely important to plant trees and carry out forestation for our future generation. The COA's Forestry Bureau carries this responsibility with it and will work relentlessly to achieve this goal.

As part of the government's "New Economic Development Blueprint for Taiwan", the "i-Taiwan 12 Projects" policy which was implemented in 2008, includes Green Forestation. From 2008 to 2013, the total forestation area in this country reached 26,280 hectares which is equivalent to 1,051 Taipei City's Da-an Parks. This also increased 11.42 m2 of green space per capita, and is capable of absorbing 390,000 tons of CO2 per year for Taiwan.

Daily efforts for creating a greener and low-carbon environment

In 2013 there were a total number of 4,695 communities that participated in green and forestation works nationwide. This year, more than 300 communities are expected to join in. The Forestry Bureau began encouraging citizens to collect used batteries, invoices, CDs and other recyclable objects using their own containers. The Bureau would then give out saplings in exchange for those items. In 2013 the result was even better than the previous year with a total of 815 kg used batteries, 165 kg used CDs, and 60,000 invoices later given to social service organizations. Furthermore, the event also received 923 secondhand books and 71,000cc blood donation. This year's Arbor Month will continue with this drive.

In the press conference, Forestry Bureau Director-General Lee, Tao-sheng made a special announcement about several upcoming big tree-planting events which include: Tree-planting, beach cleanup, hiking, and carnival on March 2nd at Jhuangwei Township's Gongguan Beach in Yilan County (organized by its Luotung Office), tree-planting on March 7th at Shihgang District's Tuniou Sports Park in Taichung (organized jointly by its Tungshih Office and Taichung City Government), tree-planting and sapling giveaway on March 8th at Shuili Township Water Park in Nantou County (organized jointly by its Nantou Office and Nantou County Government), tree-planting and sapling giveaway on March 9th at Fuxing Township in Taoyuan County (organized jointly by its Hsinchu Office, Taoyuan County Government, and WINTEK Corporation), tree-planting, sapling giveaway, ecological conservation education guidance, and quizzes on March 11th at National Dong Hwa University in Hualian County (organized jointly by its Hualian Office and Hualian County Government), tree-planting, sapling giveaway, ecological conservation education guidance, and quizzes on March 15th at Cigu Coastal Wetlands and Educational Park in Tainan City, where the 26 administrative districts of the city will also join the tree-planting event (organized jointly by its Chiayi Office, Tainan City Government, and CPC Corporation, Taiwan), tree-planting on March 22nd at Magong City's Xingren Reservoir in Penghu County (organized jointly by its Pingtung Office and Penghu County Government). Last but not least, there will be tree-planting, carnivals, toy DIY sessions, public welfare group charity sales, and forest music recitals on March 22nd at Taitung Forest Park. Everyone is welcome and invited to these colorful events organized jointly by its Taitung Office and Taitung County Government.

"Forest Ambassador" Liu Ke-xiang turns his passion for the forest into words

This year's Arbor Month is graced by the presence of renowned eco-literature writer Liu Ke-xiang who gladly became a forest ambassador. Mr. Liu pioneered the nature-writing style in Taiwan, which is to constantly experiment with various natural literary styles and materials in the process of creation. His love for the nature and the forest is evident in his writings. For this event, besides lending his voice for a radio advertisement, Mr. Liu even wrote a poem specifically for this year's Arbor Month drive from his recently published work "Song of the Old Tree". The poem is featured on an exclusive advertisement postcard and is inspired by Mr. Liu's father, who had planted a row of royal palms in Taichung's Da-tung Elementary School. Mr. Liu wrote the poem to commemorate his father who suffered from a stroke. Unable to speak, his father scribbled down the name of the said school and words such as "tree" which later inspired Mr. Liu to create the aforementioned poem. The author's deep passion towards Taiwan's mountains and forests propelled him to transform that emotion into words, which in turn touch all our souls.

2014 Arbor Month will kick off soon! Share your short films of the event and win an iPad Mini!

Arbor Month officially kicked off from February 26th. All 8 Forestry Bureau's district offices would work with city and county governments in organizing more than 200 tree-planting or free sapling giveaway events. All details and information can be obtained from Arbor Month's official website. In order to get closer to its users, the website invites everyone to take action and show his/her love for Taiwan through 3 of its on-line activities. Visit the page "Hug-A-Tree", upload creative pictures of your hugging a tree and become eligible for a free autographed advertisement postcard. You can also go to the "Forest Dreamworks" page and post a message, then receive "Seeds of Hope" and autographed advertisement postcards for free. Your messages can even be delivered to persons that you wish to share with by the website. Lastly, if you shared and uploaded Forestry Bureau's Arbor Month short video clip on your Facebook page, an iPad Mini or other wonderful prizes could be yours! Please visit the official Forestry Bureau Arbor Month website for more details and information: http://www.103treemonth.com.tw/