Exploring the Forest’s Many Industries: Huisun Wood Culture Festival Opens

The Huisun Wood Culture Festival, organized by the Office of Experimental Forest Management of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), kicked off with much fanfare on September 21st at Huisun Forest. This year’s theme, “Mastering the Art of Forestry,” features a wide range of activities including a forest market, interactive games, a meadow concert, hands-on workshops, and tree-climbing experiences. Nearly 20 exhibitors from government, academia, and industry are participating, offering the public a unique opportunity to engage directly with producers and learn about the many trades connected to forestry. The festival provides a family-friendly environment where both children and adults can enjoy and learn together.

The wood, trees, and forests are essential to daily life, requiring expertise from various sectors. In academia, there are tree pathologists, while on the front lines, forestry cooperatives play a key role. The industry includes professionals like papermakers, arborists, and master carpenters. Additionally, forest-based economies feature beekeepers, tribal chicken farmers, and emerging careers such as forest therapy guides, essential oil specialists, and tree-climbing instructors.

NCHU President Fuh-Jyh Jan emphasized that forest resources hold immense value and should be discovered, protected, and sustainably utilized through proper planning. The annual Wood Culture Festival at Huisun serves as a platform for interaction between industry, government, and academia, offering the public an educational yet entertaining experience while showcasing the diverse benefits forests provide.

The festival runs over two consecutive weekends, from September 21-22 and September 28-29, inviting families to experience the forest's fresh air and phytoncides, wander through the soft grass of the forest market, or take part in handcraft workshops for a day immersed in nature.

During the event, the forest is offering discounted tickets, along with special promotions, including deals on NCHU coffee. Visitors who complete certain tasks in the wood-themed challenges can also win exclusive souvenirs prepared by exhibitors and the forest, ensuring a rewarding experience.

For more information about the Huisun Wood Culture Festival, please visit the Facebook page of NCHU’s Office of Experimental Forest Management.