Biodiversity
Ecology Education Promotion
(1) "We Love Living Here" Documentary
Global Chairman Eric Y.T. Chuo, the founder of HIWIN, not only prioritizes the production and operation of our factories, but also places great emphasis on the landscape and green design of our facilities to create a welcoming environment.
During the construction of Yunlin Factory 1, HIWIN took the initiative to adopt 12 native species of camphor trees from Laoshu Mama in 2010. This not only provided a new home for these old trees, but also created green spaces for our employees to relax and rejuvenate. With the dedicated care of our employees, these camphor trees have flourished, attracting birds to make HIWIN their home and reproduce. Every morning, as our employees enter the factory for work, the birds fly out to forage for food. And at dusk, when our employees finish their work, the birds return to the factory and perch on the trees day after day.
Driven by curiosity and a love for nature, Enid H.C. Tsai, the President of HIWIN, invited Director Yu Shu Liu to lead the Hytree Studio team in exploring and documenting the diverse bird species in this small forest. In January 2021, the HIWIN Education Foundation commissioned the expert bird photography team from Swarovski Optik Taiwan to begin an ecological record of the birds in the old tree area of Yunlin Factory. After nearly two years of investigation, the team has discovered 36 bird species in the old tree area, and a total of 72 species within a one-kilometer radius of the factory. Common species include sparrows, crested mynas, Chinese bulbuls, Japanese white-eyes, red turtle doves, and black drongos. The welcoming environment of our factory is the reason why these birds choose to stay at HIWIN. Therefore, it is crucial for the Company to continue maintaining such an environment and encourage employees to embrace and care for the birds, fostering a conservation mindset.
The documentary "We Love Living Here" not only aims to promote harmony between HIWIN employees and the natural ecology of our factory, but also serves as an educational resource for ecological conservation. It has been authorized for broadcast by television media to inspire the concept of protecting the natural environment and preserving biodiversity.
(2) Traces of Northern Lapwings
Yunlin County, one of Taiwan's largest agricultural counties, boasts fertile soil that yields high-quality agricultural products. In the neighboring farmland of HIWIN's Yunlin Factory, a group of northern lapwings migrates here to spend the winter. These birds, often referred to as "peanut birds", have a tendency to rest in peanut fields. However, due to the expansion of modern intensive agriculture, many of the areas where the northern lapwings used to land are now facing pollution and fragmentation. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge about the species' habits among farmers has led to their eviction, further impacting their survival. A survey conducted by BirdLife International reveals a declining trend in the population of northern lapwings. In 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) upgraded the status of the northern lapwings from a least-concern species (LC) to a near threatened species (NT).
Starting from December 2022, the HIWIN Education Foundation has partnered with the Wild Bird Society of Changhua, the Wild Bird Society of Yun-Lin, and Swarovski Optik Taiwan to develop the "Traces of Northern Lapwings" program. This initiative aims to promote ecological tourism in Yunlin, establish environmental indicator organisms, foster environmentally friendly agriculture, and integrate environmental education. By understanding the ecological habits and habitat distribution of northern lapwings, the program seeks to convey the importance of conservation and promote the value of the natural environment and biodiversity.