With regard to nationwide reforestation, in 2003 the COA performed tree-planting and forest care on 34,729 hectares, perform ecological reforestation on 598 hectares, and tended man-made forests on 26,800 hectares. In order to improve the ecological scenery in urban areas, bring nature closer to urban residents, and let forested areas serve as "cities' lungs," the COA planted trees on 4,071 hectares in lowland areas, performed landscaping on 270 hectares of forested parklands, and grew 1.7 million nursery stock seedlings for use in landscaping work.

As far as the development of forest ecosystem management was concerned, the COA increased the participation of neighboring communities in forest management work. With regard to the promotion of forest ecotourism, the COA strengthened facilities at 17 national forest recreation areas and built 260 kilometers of nature trails. It is estimated that forest ecotourism destinations will attract over three million visitors (person-times) each year.

Taiwan enjoys a unique geographical location and abundant wildlife resources, including many rare and endemic species. In 2003 the COA continued to implement the "Biodiversity Action Plan," developed ways of sustainably utilizing ecological resources, and designated protected areas subject to strengthened management. The COA's efforts are intended to enable species to survive and breed under natural conditions, which is the best approach to protecting the ecosystem. The government had designated 16 wildlife refuges and 35 forest reserves, and announced 19 nature reserves and 30 major wildlife habitats, by the end of 2003. The various types of protected areas together constitute 19.5% of Taiwan's area.

The COA established the "Taiwan Biological Resource Database Center" to promote biological resource inventory. With over 880,000 items of standard data, the Center is the largest biological resource database in Taiwan. It is now linked to the Internet and can provide reference information on programs and policies in real-time. The COA also established the Taiwan Vegetation Center, which has used remote sensing technique to produce vegetation map in Taiwan, and has completed 700 field surveys.

The COA held conservation awareness workshops and exhibitions attracting close to 4,500 persons in 2003 in an effort educate citizens and to promote wildlife conservation concepts. Approximately 5,000 persons attended 59 conservation workshops aimed at farmers, teachers, administrative personnel, and judicial personnel. The COA also held 150 ecological photo shows, bird-watching and butterfly-appreciation activities, and conservation lectures, etc., attracting approximately 30,000 members of the public. The COA published 2,000 copies of the English-language handbook Exploring Biodiversity in Taiwan. An intensified crackdown resulted in the prosecution of 114 cases of smuggling and illicit behavior in 2003, which had an effective deterrent effect.

To increase the effectiveness of agricultural water use and modernize irrigation, the COA has adopted a forward-looking approach to the design of major irrigation infrastructure and management facilities. The COA helped upgrade 222 kilometers of irrigation canals and 512 related structures, improving water supply and water utilization efficiency. The COA helped farmers to install water-saving pipe irrigation equipment and adopt appropriate irrigation methods, promoted the modernization of upland crop farming, and improved upland crop yield and quality on 2,481 hectares. The COA supervised the consolidation of 940 hectares farmland in four areas, and upgraded and repaired irrigation ditches on 2,825 hectares of land in old consolidation areas.

To strengthen monitoring of irrigation water quality, the COA established monitoring stations in the areas of jurisdiction of 15 irrigation associations, along with 280 local monitoring stations, and 3,000 monitoring points. Irrigation associations perform sampling and testing tasks; if any suspected pollution is discovered, an effort is made to locate the pollution source, and the local environmental authorities are requested to crack down on the polluters in accordance with law. To reduce economic losses and impact on society, existing irrigation water allocation and utilization mechanisms provide for the re-allocation of irrigation water to meet emergency public water and industrial water needs during times of drought.