Winbond and Nuvoton Join Forces to Promote Biodiversity Education: Reviving the Purple Emperor Butterfly
In today's context where sustainable development and ESG principles are gaining increasing attention, enterprises have evolved from being mere drivers of economic growth to active practitioners of environmental education and ecological conservation. On August 25, Winbond and its subsidiary Nuvoton jointly hosted an ecological seminar titled “Reviving Butterfly Shadows—Protecting the Habitat of the Purple Emperor Butterfly.” The event invited Chang Rong-Hua, Honorary Chairman of the Taiwan Butterfly Conservation Society, to introduce the habitat and conservation challenges of protected butterfly species in Taiwan in an accessible manner. Centered around the Purple Emperor Butterfly, the seminar fostered an educational and interactive ecological dialogue. The event attracted over a thousand participants both onsite and online, including Hsia Rong-Sheng, Director of the Hsinchu Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, representatives from the Bailan Tribe, corporate financial executives, and volunteer partners, demonstrating a strong consensus among government, enterprises, and communities in promoting biodiversity conservation.
Technology-Driven Conservation: Winbond Group as an Ecological Guardian
The Purple Emperor Butterfly (Sasakia charonda formosana) is a native and endangered species in Taiwan, highly sensitive to habitat conditions. Its larvae feed exclusively on leaves of the Machilus tree and overwinter in leaf litter. In recent years, habitat fragmentation, climate change, and land use alterations have posed severe threats to its population.
Nuvoton collaborated with the Hsinchu Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency to launch the ESG conservation project “Reviving Butterfly Shadows—Protecting the Habitat of the Purple Emperor Butterfly.” The initiative integrated aerial photography to document Machilus distribution and phenology, supported by regular maintenance from community patrol teams. A long-term monitoring database was established for ecological tours and educational outreach. Centered around the Bailan Tribe in Wufeng Township, the project empowered local residents to participate in tree patrols and trait surveys, positioning indigenous communities as key contributors to ecological conservation. Additionally, the project included aerial operation planning, image recognition, and land use pressure assessments, while integrating local tribal eco-tourism to enhance community engagement and ecological education, achieving dual goals of conservation and regional development.
Event Highlights: Emphasis on Interactive Dialogue and Educational Practice
The seminar was not only rich in knowledge but also featured vibrant interaction and hands-on educational activities. Chairman Chang humorously described the Purple Emperor Butterfly as “a monk in the forest,” appearing only once a year, and joked that without sufficient spiritual cultivation, one might never encounter it—eliciting waves of laughter from the audience.
What left a lasting impression was his anticipation for “technological collaboration.” He noted that volunteers previously had to manually sift through leaf litter in steep mountainous areas, but now, with Nuvoton’s aerial photography technology, they could more efficiently locate Machilus trees and identify butterfly habitats. He emotionally stated, “We hope that with a little help from technology, this butterfly that has accompanied us for years can be better cared for.” He also showcased butterfly specimens, insect nets, and survey tools, demonstrating how to capture, record, and identify butterflies, allowing participants to experience the precision and professionalism of conservation work firsthand.
During the interactive session, participants actively raised questions such as “How can we help butterflies in daily life?”, “What role does the Purple Emperor Butterfly play in the ecosystem?”, and “Can technology be used for artificial breeding?” Chairman Chang responded to each inquiry and emphasized, “Conservation is not just the responsibility of experts; everyone can start by planting a native species to give butterflies a home.” At the end of the event, all participants took a group photo, and the host humorously said, “On the count of three, everyone becomes a butterfly!” The atmosphere was warm and lively, reflecting a shared vision between enterprises and communities to protect the ecosystem.
The participation of Winbond and Nuvoton not only exemplified corporate commitment to ESG principles but also served as an innovative model for promoting ecological education. Through technological integration, community involvement, and environmental education, enterprises have transformed from resource providers into ecological guardians and cultural advocates. Moving forward, Winbond and Nuvoton will continue to deepen collaboration with government agencies, academia, and local communities to promote evidence-based conservation practices, fostering biodiversity at the local level and contributing long-term value to Taiwan’s ecological environment and social well-being.
