JEJU ISLAND – A new digital sanctuary, 'Emile Taquet's Cyber Garden', has opened its virtual gates, honoring the remarkable contributions of botanist Emile Taquet to Jeju Island's ecological environment and plant diversity. This innovative online garden is a collaborative effort between the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Sustainable Development Council and the Emile Taquet Ecological Spirituality Research Institute, made possible through the 2024 JDC Community Support Project.
Emile Taquet, a French missionary and botanist, dedicated 13 years (1902-1915) to collecting and studying Jeju's flora while stationed at Hongro Catholic Church in Seogwipo. His groundbreaking discoveries, including the indigenous habitat of the King Cherry Tree and the introduction of Satsuma mandarin trees, have earned him the title of 'pioneer of Korean botany'.
The Cyber Garden offers a virtual exploration of Jeju's unique plant life, featuring video productions of endemic and endangered species from Taquet's collection of over 10,000 specimens. An e-book detailing his plant-collecting expeditions is also available.
The garden's five video series include:
"Emile Taquet and the King Cherry Tree of Hallasan"
"The 14 Satsuma Mandarin Trees Brought by Father Taquet"
"Emile Taquet's Korean Fir and Endangered Plants"
"Plants Encountered on the Emile Taquet Pilgrimage Trail"
"In Search of Taqutti Plants"
The e-book, "Exploring Emile Taquet's Garden," features 25 columns highlighting Taquet's legacy, including his role as a foreign botanist who illuminated Jeju's natural treasures, the discovery of the King Cherry Tree's native habitat, and his contribution as the father of Jeju's tangerines.
Oh Chung-yoon, director of the Emile Taquet Ecological Spirituality Research Institute, emphasized the garden's significance in promoting Jeju's ecological preservation and plant diversity amidst the climate crisis. He also highlighted its accessibility for elderly, disabled, and young audiences as a valuable virtual learning resource.
'Emile Taquet's Cyber Garden' can be accessed through its website (http://taquet.co.kr/m/), YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The materials will also be provided to senior and disabled centers in Jeju City and Seogwipo City.
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