New Taipei City begins accepting applications for free saplings; distribution starts January 1

New Taipei City is launching a green initiative, inviting residents to participate in planting trees through its "Plant a Tree for the Earth, One Million People Plant One Million Trees" program. The city's Agriculture Bureau is providing a variety of native saplings for free, encouraging both afforestation and urban beautification efforts.

Applications for this year's free saplings are open from now until October 31. Landowners within New Taipei City can submit their applications through their respective district offices. The distribution of these saplings is slated to occur between January 1 and April 30 of the following year, aligning with the schedule for afforestation incentive applications.

The bureau emphasizes the principle of "suitable trees for suitable sites." For general plains or hillsides, species like Chinese blueberry ash, sweet gum, Chinese red maple, Taiwan cherry, Celtis sinensis, and camphor trees will be provided, chosen for their soil stabilization and aesthetic qualities. Coastal areas will receive salt-tolerant and wind-resistant species such as Podocarpus macrophyllus, Diospyros oldhamii, and Pongamia pinnata to enhance forest diversity.

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This year's free afforestation saplings are open for application from now until October 31. Citizens with land in New Taipei City can apply at their district offices. Sapling distribution will be coordinated with the application schedule for afforestation incentives, expected to take place from January 1 to April 30 next year.

Beyond individual applications, the Agriculture Bureau also caters to institutions like government agencies, schools, and community management committees. Their "Shiding Xiaogetou Nursery" and "Sanying Dapu Nursery" cultivate over 30 types of flowers and trees for landscaping. These include ornamental shrubs like sweet olive and azaleas, as well as trees such as Chinese red maple and Chinese maple, suitable for enhancing the urban environment. Institutions can apply for up to 1,000 saplings by October 15.

With New Taipei City boasting a forest coverage rate of 76%, the Agriculture Bureau hopes this initiative will foster a culture of tree planting and integrate green actions into daily life. The program aims to create a healthy, low-carbon city that is resilient to climate change and committed to sustainable development, contributing to the planet's long-term well-being.

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The Agriculture Bureau hopes through the distribution of free saplings and the "Plant a Tree for the Earth─One Million People Plant One Million Trees" policy, to invite the public to plant trees together, integrate green actions into daily life, and create a healthy low-carbon city for the next generation that is both climate-adaptive and sustainable, and also contribute to the sustainable development of the Earth.