Conservation and Breeding Program of Tree Species

In 2021, Winbond launched the Baoshan Park Species Conservation and Breeding Program, leveraging group resources to cultivate native tree species in Taiwan. The initial focus is on Theaceae plants, with the collection and cultivation of native plant species in Taiwan. In collaboration with National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) , the program aims to achieve species conservation and breeding, ecological education, and sustainable forestry. The goal is to preserve a forest garden with conservation, education, and cultural value amidst rapid social development and expansion.

The broad definition of the Theaceae family includes the Theaceae and Pentaphylacaceae families. The Theaceae plants in Taiwan have diverse habitats, ranging from the coast to high mountains, where they can be found. Many species are of high economic value due to their landscape value and practical uses. However, they are also subject to various human threats. For example, the Japanese camellia was often poached in the past for use as rootstock or ornamental plants; the Taiwan camellia, due to the high value of its leaves, is often poached or pruned to stunt its growth; and the tea seed oil, because of its high economic value, has led to the introduction of various foreign tea species for crossbreeding, causing confusion in the wild gene pool of native camellias. All these factors have harmed the native camellia populations in Taiwan. The growth of Theaceae plants is very slow, and once damaged, they are difficult to recover. In light of this, Winbond adheres to the spirit of “protecting Taiwan’s native plants and preserving the camellia gene pool.” There are a total of 42 species of Theaceae plants in Taiwan, and as of June 2024, 32 species have been collected and cultivated, including one species assessed as critically endangered, one as endangered, five as vulnerable, and three as near-threatened in the Red list.