An Island and Forest-Themed 'Natural Recreation Forest' to Be Established on Buan Wido... The Nation's 'First' Designation

Creating a 'Mind and Body Healing & Nature Conservation Zone' Using Existing Hiking Trails

Optimal Location Following Islands and Forests... Equivalent to 41 International Soccer Fields

A natural recreation forest equivalent to 41 international soccer fields, connecting an island and forest for the first time nationwide, will be established on Wido Island in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk.

According to Buan-gun on the 8th, the Korea Forest Service will newly designate and announce the 'Buan-gun Public Wido Natural Recreation Forest' on the 8th. The Wido Natural Recreation Forest will be developed in the area of San 31-1, Daeri, Wido-myeon, Buan-gun. The designated area this time is 29 hectares (289,846㎡). It is expected to provide various forest welfare services by utilizing the existing resources of Wido.

On the 8th, the Korea Forest Service plans to newly designate and announce the 'Buan-gun Public Wido Natural Recreation Forest' as a new site.
[Photo by Buan-gun]

The county is promoting the creation of the Wido Natural Recreation Forest as a campaign pledge project of the 8th local government. In October 2022, with the designation and announcement of the Wido Natural Recreation Forest, a feasibility evaluation service began. After reviewing and selecting the target site, the service was completed last year.

In March this year, the National Forest Management Office and Jeonbuk Province conducted an on-site survey of the natural recreation forest designation target site. They reviewed and consulted on the designation of 11 plots within the designated area, including 1 national forest, 3 private forests, and 7 communal forests, and applied for the designation of the Wido Natural Recreation Forest in April. From April to June, after several on-site inspections and document reviews by Jeonbuk Province, the Ministry of Environment, and the Korea Forest Service, it was newly designated.

The Wido Natural Recreation Forest project will invest a total of 8.08 billion KRW, including 4 billion KRW from the provincial government and 4 billion KRW from the county government. Basic and detailed design services will be conducted in 2025. After obtaining approval for the natural recreation forest development plan in 2026, construction will begin in 2027 with the goal of completion in 2028.

The Wido Natural Recreation Forest will utilize existing hiking trails and be composed of preservation zones that heal the mind and body in a natural state. Facilities will be divided into lodging (forest houses, treehouses), convenience (visitor center, auto camping site, campground, parking lot), hygiene (kitchen, drinking fountains, restrooms), experience and education (walking trails, exploration paths, nature observation center), and sports (exercise equipment, children's playground, lawn plaza).

The natural recreation forest will be developed as a differentiated island forest recreation complex that simultaneously offers lodging and relaxation, highlighting the unique characteristics of the island area. It will address the lack of lodging facilities in the already established Wido Healing Forest. The county’s ultimate goal is to build tourism infrastructure that connects Wido’s natural scenery with healing and relaxation experiences.

Based on the excellence of Wido’s natural scenery, recreational facilities will be installed. Based on connectivity, it will be linked on foot to Wido Port, 8.2 km away (12 minutes by car), Healing Forest, 5.3 km away (7 minutes by car), and existing hiking trails (2.5 km). It is expected to provide a space for relaxation and emotional enrichment for local residents and tourists.

A county official said, "The Wido Natural Recreation Forest, the first in the nation to be themed around an island and forest, will provide a healthy resting space and be an optimal place for forest recreation activities," adding, "As a nature-friendly space, it will maximize usability, health promotion, and convenience through recreation and education." He further added, "The development of the recreation forest is expected to have various effects, including increasing local residents’ income, promoting production and distribution activities in the Wido area, and expanding employment opportunities for local residents."