News--Welcome to National Chiayi University

　　The team of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, collaborated with the Chiayi County Environmental Protection Bureau, Machouhou Environmental Education Center and Onyx Ta-Ho Environmental Services Co., Ltd. to organize the event, “Machouhou Biodiversity Journey: Alishan Chrysanthemums in Chiayi.” The team of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, National Chiayi University, collaborated with the Chiayi County Environmental Protection Bureau, Machouhou Environmental Education Center and Onyx Ta-Ho Environmental Services Co., Ltd. to organize the event, “Machouhou Biodiversity Journey: Alishan Chrysanthemums in Chiayi.” They hoped that the Alishan chrysanthemums could be successfully restore so that the Machouhou Environmental Education Center will serve as a base for restoration. In the future, it is also expected to become a greenery spot for people to relax and enjoy flowers on holidays, thus contributing to the sustainable development in Chiayi.

　　The Alishan chrysanthemum is a native and endemic plant in the Alishan area of Taiwan. In recent years, it has been successfully replanted and reproduced on the flat land by the team of the NCYU Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. According to Zhang Kun-Cheng, Assistant Professor of the NCYU Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, the Dendranthema arisanense was first discovered in 1914 by French botanist Father Urbain Jean Faurie in Alishan, Chiayi County. In 1916, it was published as a new species by Japanese plant taxonomist Dr. Bunz? Hayata. Preliminary study showed that the Alishan chrysanthemum contains borneol, or Borneo camphor. Borneo has the effects of invigorating the body, refreshing the mind, clearing away heat, relieving pain, and improving eyesight, with an aroma and sweetness surpassing those of Daisy’s Florist, or Chrysanthemum morifolium.It is considered one of Taiwan’s native species worthy of restoration. He hoped that the industry, government and the university would continue to work together to beautify the environment and promote environmental education, so that NCYU could fulfill the social responsibility as an educational institution.

　　According to the Chiayi County Environmental Protection Bureau, the Lutsao Refuse Incineration Plant occupies an area of around 10 hectares. The unused land, about 0. 5 hectares, has been turned into an environmentally friendly farm. To protect biodiversity via sharing economy, the Plant offered the unused land to the NCYU College of Agriculture as a restoration base for economically valuable crops through academic-industrial cooperation. They hoped that a sea of golden Alishan chrysanthemums will unfold at the site when November comes. It is expected to become a new scenic spot for the public to relax and enjoy flowers, as part of diversified environmental education.