On May 19, the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) officially launched its 2026 Sustainability Week with the opening ceremony of the “Remembering the Coral Tree, Welcoming the Cinnamomum: Campus Tree Heritage and Environmental Education Series” at the Library and Information Center.

Through exhibitions, environmental education activities, net-zero lifestyle promotion, and food sustainability initiatives, the event uses the story of a beloved campus tree to encourage reflection on the relationship between people and the environment, transforming sustainability from an abstract concept into a lived experience.

The theme, “Remembering the Coral Tree, Welcoming the Cinnamomum” (憶桐茄進), continues the narrative of the university’s March 28 event, “A Farewell to the Coral Tree, Waiting for Happiness.” During that ceremony, NUK bid farewell to a long-standing coral tree that had accompanied generations of students on the west side of campus and welcomed a newly planted Chinese banyan sapling in its place, symbolizing renewal, continuity, and the cycle of life.

The Sustainability Week exhibition features selected entries from “Days with the Coral Tree,” a campus-wide photo and story collection project documenting memories associated with the historic tree. Combined with environmental education exhibits and hands-on activities, the program invites participants to rediscover the emotional and ecological connections between trees, people, and the land.

NUK President Chen Chi-Jen, who officiated the opening ceremony, noted that sustainability has been a core institutional goal since the university’s founding.

He emphasized that the event is more than an environmental education campaign; it is an opportunity for students and faculty to reflect on the interconnected relationship between trees, land, and human communities through a real story from campus life.

President Chen explained that mature trees on campus serve not only as landscape features but also as living witnesses to the experiences and memories shared by generations of students and faculty. Through the Sustainability Week activities, the university hopes to preserve those collective memories while raising awareness about the ecological, cultural, and public safety roles that urban trees play in contemporary environments.

Director-General of General Affairs Chen Yi-Kai introduced the broader Sustainability Week program, which extends beyond the exhibition itself.

Planned activities include:

• Six environmental education workshops for elementary and secondary school students
• Tree health assessment programs
• Pest and disease management workshops
• Community-oriented environmental education initiatives

Through age-appropriate learning experiences based on real campus environments, participants will explore tree life cycles, urban ecology, and the relationship between environmental conservation and public safety.

Chen noted that NUK has continued to invest in sustainable campus development and environmental education spaces, positioning the university not only as a place of learning but also as a platform for community engagement and sustainability practice.

The opening ceremony also featured participation from the Net-Zero Green Living initiative organized by Kaohsiung City Environmental Protection Bureau.

Tsai Chia-Lin, project manager at GreenTrust Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., introduced low-carbon lifestyle concepts across seven dimensions of daily life:

• Food
• Clothing
• Housing
• Transportation
• Education
• Recreation
• Consumption

Her presentation highlighted practical actions such as reducing single-use products, adopting green transportation, supporting environmentally responsible consumption, and choosing locally sourced foods.

Tsai emphasized that achieving net-zero living is not an unattainable goal but rather a process built through everyday choices and habits.

The event also welcomed Tai Ching Banana Creative Workshop, which conducted a banana vinegar DIY activity and shared insights into food sustainability and waste reduction.

Founder Wang Chi-Chiang explained that although bananas are a staple food crop in many countries, they are often viewed solely as fruit in Taiwan, resulting in frequent market oversupply and waste. Through years of involvement in local revitalization efforts in Qishan District, the organization has promoted full utilization of banana resources, including banana fiber, banana leaves, and value-added food processing.

Wang noted that these practices demonstrate how traditional agricultural knowledge can contribute to modern sustainability efforts and reinforce the interconnected relationship between people and the land.

Through Sustainability Week, NUK continues to integrate environmental education, cultural memory, and sustainable living into everyday campus life, fostering deeper awareness and action toward a more sustainable future.

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