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SDG 15 : Life On Land

Life on Land (SDG 15)
15.2 Supporting land ecosystems through education
15.2.1 - Does your university support and/or organize activities aimed at promoting the conservation and sustainable use of land (including forests and wildlife)? National Formosa University actively supports and organizes educational and practical activities aimed at promoting the conservation and sustainable use of land (including forests and wildlife). This is demonstrated through the university's commitment to SDG 15 (Life on Land) and the management of "Natural Ecological Resources" as a material topic.
Academic and Research Output: NFU offered 74 courses related to SDG 15 in 2024, executed 4 relevant research projects, published 2 journal papers and 2 conference papers, and organized 10 activities or club events.
Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity: Through the University Social Responsibility (USR) project "Collaborative Learning in Agriculture, Local Creation, and Shared Prosperity for Generations," NFU transformed the Maguang Farm sugarcane field into an organic grain planting area. Ecological monitoring showed that the number of biological species in the park increased from 152 species during the sugarcane period to 499 species after four years of organic transition. Plant species accounted for 46.88%, insects for 31.79%, and birds for 12.27% of the observed increase. The university also installed raptor perches to observe bird ecology, successfully spotting species like the Black-winged Kite and Northern Lapwing.
Campus and Construction Management: In the development of the new High-Speed Rail (HSR) Campus, NFU conducts quarterly periodic surveys of terrestrial and aquatic animal resources. Initial species identification documented 61 families and 687 individuals. NFU designated a 12 m² scenic nectar plant area for butterfly conservation and habitat restoration activities. Furthermore, the university preserved or transplanted 26 trees with landscape value to maintain campus tree health.
Campus Inventory and Outreach: NFU completed a tree and insect survey in the First Campus, documenting 57 species of trees (683 trees) and 16 families of insects. Student clubs organized environmental service activities (e.g., mountain and beach cleanups), with participation reaching 163 person-times in the 2024 academic year. NFU's efforts in ecological conservation were recognized with the First Prize in the Ecology & Sustainability Category at the 2024 Global Views USR Award (winning three consecutive years).
15.2.2 - Does your university have a policy to ensure food consumed on campus is sustainably farmed? Policy Creation Year: 2009 Policy Review Year: 2024 National Formosa University does not currently have a single policy directly mandating that all campus food be sustainably farmed. However, the university actively supports sustainable supply chains and local eco-friendly agriculture through policy frameworks and quantified actions, demonstrating its commitment to the educational and practical aspects of SDG 15.2.
  • Policy Framework: The "NFU Environmental Protection Policy," created in 2009, aims to promote environmentally friendly practices, resource conservation, and waste reduction in campus life.
  • Sustainable Procurement: NFU's green procurement ratio reached a high level of 96.09% in 2024, indicating a strong commitment to purchasing products with environmental labels.
  • Promotion of Organic Farming: NFU actively promotes organic and eco-friendly agriculture through the Agricultural Research and Extension Center, such as the Maguang Farm project, where the number of biological species increased from 152 to 499 species within four years after transitioning to an organic zone.
  • Curriculum Integration: NFU offered 74 courses related to SDG 15 in 2024, including general education courses that incorporate practical activities like planting and cooking organic vegetables.
  • Industry Support: NFU assists local industries, such as flower greenhouses, in establishing smart carbon inventory systems and completing GHG inventory verification through its USR projects.
15.2.3 - Does your university directly engage in maintaining and expanding existing ecosystems and their plant and animal diversity, particularly threatened ecosystems? National Formosa University directly and actively commits to maintaining and expanding ecosystems and their biodiversity, designating "Natural Ecological Resources" as a material topic for institutional governance. This commitment includes supporting threatened ecosystems.
  • Maguang Farm Organic Zone: NFU transformed the Maguang Farm sugarcane field into an organic grain park. Through ecological surveying, setting up raptor perches, and planting nectar sources, the total number of biological species in the area increased from 152 species to 499 species by 2024. The observed species included 46.88% plants, 31.79% insects, and 12.27% birds. This achievement received the First Prize in the Ecology & Sustainability Category at the 2024 Global Views USR Award.
  • HSR New Campus Development: The campus development adheres to environmental impact assessment (EIA) commitments, dedicating a total permeable area of 10.34 hectares (or 60.2% of the total area). 26 large trees (over 10 meters high) with landscape value were surveyed and planned for on-site preservation or transplantation.
  • Butterfly Conservation: A 12 m² scenic nectar plant area and host plant preparation zone was designated in the HSR Campus for butterfly conservation and habitat restoration activities. Species monitoring in the ecological conservation area recorded 61 families and 687 individuals.
  • Monitoring: NFU conducts quarterly periodic surveys of terrestrial and aquatic animal resources in the HSR Campus during construction and operation phases. The university also collaborates with the Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) using UAV technology to track the critically endangered Taiwan white dolphin.
  • Academic Support: 74 courses related to SDG 15 were offered in the 2024 academic year, providing academic support for ecosystem maintenance.
15.2.4 - Does your university provide educational courses/outreach services to local or national communities concerning ecosystems (including wildlife)? NFU actively provides educational courses and outreach services to local and national communities regarding land ecosystems and wildlife protection, demonstrating substantial quantified outcomes.
  • Academic Integration: 74 courses related to SDG 15 were offered in 2024, with general education courses (e.g., Introduction to Environmental Science) integrating SDGs and serving 20,098 enrollments.
  • Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation: NFU established a conservation area in the HSR Campus, conducting ecological monitoring and delineating a 12 m² nectar plant area for butterfly habitat restoration. Ecological statistics workshops recorded 61 families and 687 species.
  • Community Education: The Agricultural Research and Extension Center operates the Yunlin County Huwei Creek Community University, offering courses like landscape planning and ecological farm planning. The Community University served over 1,400 enrollments per semester, accumulating 2,059 agricultural managers since 2010.
  • Climate/Ecology Outreach: The USR project "Blossoming Huwei, Sustainable Coexistence" developed the "Sustainable Choice Expert" climate education board game, successfully promoted to local elementary schools and senior groups.
  • Total Outreach Reach: Total participation in USR activities in 2024 reached 14,249 person-times, including 5,472 person-times from community partners, ensuring the wide dissemination of land ecosystem knowledge.
15.2.5 - Does your university provide educational courses/outreach services to local or national communities concerning the sustainable management of agriculture? NFU, through its Agricultural Research and Extension Center, actively provides educational courses and outreach services to local and national communities concerning the sustainable management of agriculture, with extensive quantified results.
  • Farmer’s University: NFU has run the "Farmer’s University" since 2010, cultivating 2,059 agricultural managers to date. Enrollment reached 307 individuals in 2024, focusing on introducing smart, technological, and precise agricultural knowledge with a spirit of environmental sustainability.
  • Community University: Through the commissioned Yunlin County Huwei Creek Community University, NFU offered 324 hours of agriculture-related courses in 2024, including organic and natural farming field practice and landscape planning certification training.
  • USR Hub Projects: The "Sustainable Soil Environment" USR Hub project conducts monthly soil sampling and analysis to achieve sustainable soil management through rational fertilization. The "Collaborative Learning in Agriculture" USR project focuses on "Organic Agriculture" and "Environmental Sustainability," successfully transforming 19.7 hectares of sugarcane fields at Maguang Farm into an organic grain zone.
  • Biodiversity Outcome: The Maguang Farm organic zone's ecological species diversity increased from 152 species to 499 species.
  • Academic Courses: NFU offered 74 courses directly related to SDG 15 in 2024.
15.2.6 - Does your university provide educational courses/outreach services to local or national communities concerning the sustainable management of tourism? NFU provides educational courses and outreach services concerning the sustainable management of tourism, integrating cultural heritage, ecological sustainability, and local creation through various programs.
  • Academic Structure: NFU has a Department of Leisure and Recreation (including Master's programs).
  • Community Education (Quantified): The Continuing Education Center offered 214 classes in 2024, with 3,774 person-times participating. The Huwei Creek Community University offered 75 classes per semester, with over 1,400 enrollments per semester, fostering rural community empowerment and local culture, which indirectly supports sustainable tourism talent.
  • Curriculum Practice: NFU transformed its "Service Learning" course into "Social Responsibility Practice Education," with 32 courses offered in 2023, serving 1,438 students. Course themes include cultural heritage exhibition practices, reinterpreting local history (like the sugar industry culture), and deeply engaging in 18 local cultural and historical sites, applying professional expertise to the sustainability of local cultural tourism resources.
  • USR Outcomes: Student teams in the "University Lights Up the Countryside" USR Hub project designed tourism promotional guides for local warehouse clusters. Total participation in USR activities in 2024 reached 14,249 person-times, including 5,472 community partners, who participate in activities like ecological education tours and marine debris craft workshops.

15.3 Supporting land ecosystems through action
15.3.1 - Does your university have a policy to ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of land (especially forests, mountains, and drylands)? Policy Creation Year: 2009 Policy Review Year: 2024 NFU has a policy to ensure land conservation, restoration, and sustainable use, centered on the "NFU Environmental Protection Policy," established in 2009. This policy aims to promote environmental protection, energy conservation, resource appreciation, and waste reduction. "Natural Ecological Resources" is identified as one of the university's 9 material topics.
  • Sustainable Development Commitments: The HSR Campus development adheres to EIA commitments, including reserving spaces for biodiversity. NFU voluntarily reduced the statutory building coverage ratio from 60% to 50% and the floor area ratio from 180% to 150%.
  • Permeable Area: NFU planned a total permeable area of 10.34 hectares, accounting for 60.2% of the total HSR Campus area, promoting water infiltration.
  • Tree Preservation: Before construction, 26 large trees with landscape value were surveyed and planned for preservation or transplantation.
  • Restoration Success: The Maguang Farm organic zone restoration led to an increase in biological species from 152 species to 499 species over four years.
  • Inventory: The First Campus tree survey identified 57 tree species (683 trees).
15.3.2 - Does your university have a policy to identify, monitor, and protect areas affected by university operations, especially concerning soil degradation and indicators of threatened species? NFU has policies to identify, monitor, and protect areas affected by university operations, specifically addressing soil degradation and indicators of threatened species. This is supported by the "NFU Environmental Protection Policy" (created in 2009) and the inclusion of "Natural Ecological Resources" as a material topic.
  • Soil Degradation Mitigation: Through the "Sustainable Soil Environment" USR Hub project, NFU promotes eco-friendly farming systems, conducting monthly soil sampling and analysis at the Maguang Farm organic zone (former sugarcane field) to achieve sustainable soil management through rational fertilization. This organic transition significantly increased species diversity to 499 species.
  • Monitoring of Threatened Species: NFU conducts quarterly periodic surveys of local terrestrial and aquatic animal resources during the construction and operation of the HSR Campus.
  • Biodiversity Protection: The HSR Campus dedicates a total permeable area of 10.34 hectares (60.2% of the total area) and has preserved or transplanted 26 large trees. The campus includes a 12 m² scenic nectar plant area for butterfly habitat restoration.
  • First Campus Inventory: The First Campus tree survey recorded 57 tree species (683 trees) and 16 families of insects. UAV technology is used for campus normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) analysis to enhance green coverage.
15.3.3 - Does your university incorporate local biodiversity in any planning and development processes? NFU actively incorporates local biodiversity into its major planning and development processes, demonstrating quantified commitments to SDG 15.
  • Academic Integration: 74 courses and 4 projects are related to SDG 15, with total project funding of NT$2.42 million.
  • HSR Campus Planning: During the HSR Campus development (total area 17.181 hectares), NFU adhered to EIA commitments. Measures include setting aside a total permeable area of 10.34 hectares (60.2% of the total area), and planning to transplant 26 large trees. A 12 m² nectar plant area was established for butterfly habitat restoration.
  • Ecological Monitoring: NFU conducts quarterly periodic ecological monitoring of local terrestrial and aquatic animal resources. Current monitoring in the HSR Campus ecological conservation area has identified 61 families and 687 individuals.
  • Social Practice: The successful transformation of the Maguang Farm sugarcane field into an organic zone resulted in an increase in species from 152 species to 499 species.
  • First Campus Data: The First Campus tree survey recorded 57 tree species (683 trees) and 16 insect families, with carbon sequestration data established using UAV technology.
15.3.4 - Does your university have a policy to mitigate the impact of invasive alien species on campus? National Formosa University does not have a single policy specifically named "Invasive Alien Species Impact Mitigation Policy," but it integrates relevant management and ecological conservation actions into the Environmental Protection Policy and the management guidelines for the material topic "Natural Ecological Resources". The objective is to support land ecosystems and mitigate environmental impacts, with quantified results.
  • Source Reduction: Management measures include reducing the use of herbicides and chemical fertilizers.
  • Biodiversity Enhancement (Eco-friendly Control): The Maguang Farm organic transition resulted in an increase in species diversity to 499 species (up from 152). Raptor perches were installed as an ecological control method, successfully observing raptors like the Black-winged Kite.
  • Habitat Restoration: The HSR Campus established a 12 m² scenic nectar plant area for butterfly conservation.
  • Monitoring: Ecological monitoring of terrestrial and aquatic animal resources is conducted quarterly in the HSR Campus, with initial results identifying 61 families and 687 individuals.
  • Waste Management: Policies governing hazardous industrial waste (7,030.5 kg in 2024) ensure proper disposal by qualified institutions.
15.3.5 - Does your university cooperate with local communities, e.g., through partnerships, to maintain shared land ecosystems? NFU cooperates extensively with local communities through partnerships to maintain shared land ecosystems, identifying "Natural Ecological Resources" as a material topic.
  • USR Engagement (Quantified): Total participation in USR activities in 2024 reached 14,249 person-times, with 5,472 person-times from community partners.
  • Agricultural Ecosystems: Partnerships with farmers facilitated the transformation of Maguang Farm into an organic grain zone, leading to a species count increase from 152 to 499 species.
  • Habitat Restoration and Education: USR projects established a butterfly habitat restoration zone in the HSR Campus as a sustainability education site. The "Blossoming Huwei" project received the Global Views USR Award.
  • River and Coast: NFU partnered with the Water Resources Agency on the "Huwei Tide: Resilient Town Waterbank Integration Project". Student clubs organized environmental service activities (beach cleanups), with 163 person-times participating in 2024.
  • Marine Ecosystem (Related): NFU collaborates with the Ocean Conservation Administration using UAVs to monitor the critically endangered Taiwan white dolphin.