National Garden Golf Course Partners with National Tsing Hua University on Soil Health, Ecological Restoration and Sustainable Site Development

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[LOKAI News Center — Thomas LO, Staff Report | Photos provided by Po-Chen Chen]

Golf courses encompass extensive green spaces, forests, and soil resources. Combined with green building practices, renewable energy, and the potential of natural carbon sinks, they have an increasingly important role to play in Taiwan’s transition toward net-zero emissions and the development of a green economy.

National Garden Country Club, located in Yuanli Township, Miaoli County, and known as a “recreational landmark of central Taiwan,” signed a cooperation agreement with the College of Sustainability at National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) on September 2, 2026. The partnership aims to jointly promote the “sustainable transformation of the golf industry,” with a focus on “moving from environmental impact management toward sustainable land and site life-cycle management.” The two sides will collaborate on soil health, ecological restoration, and sustainable site development, marking a new milestone in the environmental sustainability of Taiwan’s golf industry.

For many years, golf courses in Taiwan have continued to focus on environmental protection and sustainable operations. On one hand, they have worked to reduce carbon emissions through energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy installations. On the other, they have strengthened natural carbon sequestration and carbon removal capabilities through tree planting as well as grassland and forest management, continuing their efforts toward net-zero emissions, ecological conservation, and environmentally friendly operations.

In recent years, National Garden Country Club has also actively introduced green operating practices, including solar energy facilities at the clubhouse and parking areas. By using renewable energy, the club aims to reduce carbon emissions generated during operations. At the same time, it is making use of the golf course’s grassland, soil, and water-recycling resources, while exploring how the leisure industry can establish a more sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship with the natural environment over the long term.

Fan Chien-Te, Dean of the College of Sustainability at National Tsing Hua University, said that the core objective of the collaboration is to assist golf courses in their long-term transition toward sustainability. The goal is not merely to address current environmental challenges, but also to anticipate the life cycle of the land and the site over the next 20 or even 30 years.

Fan said that the partnership will conduct a comprehensive assessment of land use, water resources, ecological conditions, and the management of pesticides and fertilizers. It will also gradually introduce the TNFD framework—the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures—to identify an organization’s dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities related to nature. Through a more scientific and systematic approach, the partnership seeks to establish a healthy and appropriate relationship between people and the natural environment, while safeguarding the health and safety of guests, employees, and surrounding communities.

National Garden Golf Course, operated by National Garden Country Club, covers approximately 115 hectares. The 18-hole, par-72 championship course measures 7,103 yards and is designed to meet tournament-level standards comparable to those of the Asian Tour.

Following the contours of the existing terrain, the course blends rolling hills with the natural undulations of the landscape. Its winding yet spacious fairways balance the challenges of competitive play with the needs of golfers of different skill levels, allowing every shot to strike a balance between scenic views and strategic decision-making.

In addition to providing a high-quality golfing environment, National Garden Golf Course introduced the global Audubon environmental conservation philosophy as early as 2015 and began working with Audubon International. Through environmental management practices at the golf course, the club hopes to encourage more people to understand, appreciate, and protect the natural environment.

The course has also continued to work toward achieving the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification for golf courses. Through habitat management, ecological conservation, environmental education, and natural resource management, the course strives to maintain the balance and quality of wildlife habitats within the property, demonstrating that a golf course can serve not only as a sporting venue, but also as a platform for environmental education and nature conservation.

To further advance National Garden Golf Course toward a future centered on “soil health, ecological restoration, and sustainable site development,” National Garden Country Club and the College of Sustainability at National Tsing Hua University signed a cooperation agreement. Through the integration of academic research and industry practices, the partnership will establish a more comprehensive foundation for environmental data collection and management.

Wu Hsien-Hung, General Manager of National Garden Country Club, said, “Climate change is bringing increasingly noticeable extreme weather events and environmental impacts. In the future, National Garden hopes to establish more precise environmental data and databases, combined with the College of Sustainability at National Tsing Hua University’s expertise in academic research, so that we can anticipate and respond to potential environmental challenges. This will allow limited resources to be directed toward environmental protection measures that are both appropriate and effective.”

Wu said the collaboration is not focused solely on the company itself. Instead, it will begin with the golf course’s land, water resources, ecological environment, and long-term operational management to establish a scientific foundation that can be continuously accumulated, analyzed, and improved. The ultimate goal is to gradually create a sustainable site that integrates sports, recreation, ecology, and local development.

Liu Yu-Yu, Mayor of Yuanli Township, Miaoli County, said, “The golf industry encompasses multiple values, including sports, recreation, tourism, and local economic development. The fact that a business is willing to proactively invest resources and think ahead about environmental trends and sustainable development 20 to 30 years into the future carries significant demonstrative value. National Garden Golf Course is located in Yuanli, which benefits from excellent natural conditions with mountains to the east and the sea to the west. Over the years, the course has contributed to the local economy, tourism, and employment. Its environmental sustainability partnership with National Tsing Hua University now provides an opportunity to generate a positive impact on Yuanli’s long-term development.

“From golfers and employees to Yuanli residents, all are important stakeholders. We also look forward to seeing the results of this collaboration shared with the township office and other businesses in Yuanli, creating opportunities for further cooperation. In this way, the impact of sustainability can gradually extend from a single golf course to the entire community.”

Professor Lo Yang-Ming of the College of Sustainability at National Tsing Hua University said that many regions are currently facing challenges including air pollution, environmental quality, and climate change. “We hope to promote sustainability from a perspective of respecting nature, using practical approaches that are appropriate for the local environment. This will allow golfers, their families, Yuanli residents, and people from across Taiwan to enjoy a healthy, beautiful space where people can coexist harmoniously with nature.”

There is only one Earth, and sustainable development has never been merely a slogan.

Through this partnership between National Garden Country Club and the College of Sustainability at National Tsing Hua University, industry expertise and academic research capabilities will be brought together to establish a more comprehensive foundation for sustainable development, covering soil, water resources, ecology, energy, and life-cycle management of the land.

Looking ahead, National Garden Country Club will continue to pursue environmental stewardship, harmony with nature, and shared prosperity with the local community. Through this collaboration, the club hopes to establish a more forward-looking model for the sustainable transformation of Taiwan’s golf industry, while creating a healthier and more resilient green asset for Taiwan’s environment over the next 20 to 30 years.