Creation of a 'Donor's Forest' in the Demilitarized Zone Forest Damage Area

A ‘Donor’s Forest’ will be established in the deforested areas of the Demilitarized Zone (hereinafter DMZ).

The Korea National Arboretum (hereinafter KNA) announced on the 12th that it will collaborate with the Northern Regional Forest Service to create a ‘Donor’s Forest’ for ecological restoration of deforested areas around the DMZ.

Wildflower 'Gaeneusam' to be planted in the donor's forest around the DMZ. Provided by Korea National Arboretum

The two organizations also signed a joint forest project agreement to establish the Donor’s Forest. The agreement is based on cooperation between the two organizations to restore deforested areas around decommissioned military facilities within the DMZ (inside the Chuncheon National Forest).

Through this, KNA plans to work with the Northern Regional Forest Service to create a public participation-type Donor’s Forest in the deforested areas around the DMZ, and will continue to carry out post-management and monitoring.

The Donor’s Forest will be established using funds donated through the ‘Native Wildflower Planting Campaign for Forest Ecological Restoration’ raised by the Korean Red Cross.

Both organizations have agreed to further promote public participation-type forest restoration projects that allow citizens to participate directly or indirectly in forest ecological restoration.

Ryu Kwang-su, Director of KNA, said, “The DMZ ‘Donor’s Forest’ project is the second project following the forest ecological restoration of the Uljin wildfire damage site,” and added, “KNA will continue to closely collaborate with related organizations such as the Korea Forest Service and the Korean Red Cross to promote public participation-type restoration projects.”

Meanwhile, since being designated as the Forest Restoration Support Center in 2019, KNA has participated in establishing the ‘2022 Basic Plan for Forest Ecological Restoration of Wildfire Damage Areas in the East Coast Protected Zone’ by the Korea Forest Service. In addition, it is currently promoting ESG management through projects such as operating the ‘Donor’s Forest’ project for forest ecological restoration of the Uljin wildfire damage site and the forest ecological restoration project for the wildfire damage site in Bonghwa County.