Seoul City Recruiting Schools for July Ecological Exploration Program... Expanding Participation After Operation

Pureun Sumogwon, Ecological Exploration 'Walking into the Arboretum'... Plant Interpretation by Forest Guide, Flower and Fruit Observation, Ecological Play Using Natural Materials Conducted

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on-site learning has been suspended since last year, limiting children to indoor classes only. To address this, Pureun Arboretum has prepared a special ecological education program.

On the 17th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it is recruiting institutions and organizations to participate in the July program of Pureun Arboretum's ecological exploration "Walking into the Arboretum," where children can freely engage in outdoor activities in open nature. Initially, the program will be operated for groups, with plans to expand it to the general public in the future.

“Walking into the Arboretum,” which has been ongoing since last month, is a program designed to help children become familiar with nature by linking with the elementary school curriculum. Activities include seasonal plant explanations and observing flowers and fruits using portable magnifying glasses. Under the guidance of a forest interpreter, participants tour various themed gardens of Pureun Arboretum such as the Five-Color Garden, Wildflower Garden, Hydrangea Garden, Rose Garden, and Children's Garden, learning about natural ecology and flora and fauna that are rarely seen in the city.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure participant safety, Seoul City will conduct all programs through prior registration, limiting each session to about 20 people divided into two teams (10 or fewer per team), maintaining appropriate participation numbers and operating hours by time slot.

Meanwhile, based on a survey titled "Desired Programs at Pureun Arboretum" conducted among program participants, highly requested activities such as ▲ forest interpretation and ecological exploration & natural experience play activities ▲ mini garden making ▲ vegetable gardening will be considered and reflected in future educational program planning.

Information about Pureun Arboretum’s education and experience programs can be found on the Seoul Parks website or Pureun Arboretum’s Instagram. Applications and inquiries can be made by contacting the Pureun Arboretum Operations Division at Seoul Botanical Garden.

Seoul City plans to continue increasing public interest in Pureun Arboretum and revitalizing its operations by trying various online and offline programs. In particular, to build a green network linked with the local community, it aims to establish its own friends group through regular volunteer activities and forest interpretation.

Han Jeong-hoon, Director of Seoul Botanical Garden, said, “I hope this will be an opportunity for young people, who have faced restrictions on outdoor learning due to COVID-19, to appreciate the value of nature.” He added, “We will prepare diverse ecological programs so that Pureun Arboretum can become a place where citizens and nature harmoniously coexist.”