The newly established Wood Education Center is now officially open, marking a significant milestone in the effort to promote sustainable forestry and wood culture in Southern Taiwan. The center was developed by the Pingtung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA), and is proudly operated by National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST).
The operations team is led by Professor Zhao-Jun Deng of NPUST’s Department of Wood Science and Design. Leveraging years of practical experience in promoting wood education and domestic timber utilization, the team is building upon the university’s professional expertise in woodworking, sustainable forestry, and lifestyle design. Professor Deng’s team is not only involved in the center’s operation but also in the spatial planning, exhibition design, and curriculum development.
Professor Deng stated, “the Wood Education Center is more than just an exhibition space; it is a place for people to reconnect with the warmth of wood. We aim to start here in Southern Taiwan and spread the spirit of wood education outward”.
The facility itself is a testament to its mission, with over 90% of the structure built using domestically sourced timber. The center successfully integrates wood culture, forest education, and living aesthetics, positioning itself as a central hub for promoting sustainable forestry and domestic wood applications in the region.
In order to demonstrate the ingenuity of local artisans, the grand opening featured a “Mini Wood Market”, which invited various woodworking brands to showcase and sell wood-based household goods, creative crafts, and natural wood fragrances. A limited “Pencil’s Home” DIY activity was also organized, allowing the public to enjoy hands-on woodworking by creating their own wooden pencil holders.
FANCA officials heralded the center’s opening as a major step forward. Section Chief Tsu-Ming Lee of the FANCA’s Forest Industry Division pointed out that the center is a crucial milestone in the journey to promote domestic wood use and education, and they are pleased to see this, as the Pingtung Branch has devoted a great deal of effort to ensure that the “wood cultivation” concept truly takes root. Pingtung Branch Director Jui-Fen Yang added that the center will continue to offer DIY courses and lectures on wood applications, deepening the public’s understanding of wood culture and forest sustainability.
The Wood Education Center is open every Friday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Mondays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Access is limited to 15 people per one-hour session; groups of six or more must book in advance. Reservations can be made through the “Forest to the Power of Four” (林的四次方) Facebook fan page or by signing up on-site.
Under the joint management of the Pingtung Branch of FANCA and the NPUST team, the Wood Education Center is set to become a vital platform for advancing domestic timber policy and wood culture education, fostering a broader appreciation for the value of wood and the necessity of sustainable forestry.
