Ahead of Arbor Day... Tree Planting at Chukryeongsan in Jangseong

The tree planting event held on the 28th at Jangseong Chukryeongsan Cypress Forest area. Provided by Jeonnam Province

On the 28th, Jeollanam-do held a tree-planting event under the theme "Trees Planted Together, Forests Created Together in Jeonnam" at the Chukryeongsan Hinoki Forest in Jangseong, to mark the 80th Arbor Day and the spring tree-planting season.

Approximately 600 people attended the event, including Myung Changhwan, Vice Governor of Jeollanam-do, Kim Hanjong, Mayor of Jangseong, Park Hyunsook and Jung Chul, members of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council, Shim Minseop, Chairman of the Jangseong County Council, Han Min, Head of the Korea National Forest Cooperative Federation Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Headquarters, and other public officials.

The event took place at Chukryeongsan in Jangseong, home to the largest Hinoki forest in Korea and selected as one of the "Top 100 Premium Forests" by the Korea Forest Service in 2023.

Thanks to the efforts of "Afforestation King" Lim Jongguk, who planted three million Hinoki and cedar trees on mountains devastated after the Korean War, the area has grown into a lush forest. Today, it is a beloved healing destination for locals, featuring the Healing Forest and Hinoki Forest trails.

The event included an explanation of the history and value of the Chukryeongsan Hinoki Forest, education on tree-planting techniques, and participation by all attendees in planting Torreya trees across 3 hectares of forest.

As part of the "Own Your Tree" campaign, the Korea National Forest Cooperative Federation Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Headquarters co-hosted a "Tree Sharing" event, distributing 1,800 trees?including plum, Taechu persimmon, and fig trees?to participants, which was met with great enthusiasm.

With the ongoing large-scale wildfires in the Yeongnam region since the 21st, the event also promoted wildfire prevention, and all attendees pledged to strengthen local wildfire patrols and eradicate illegal burning through the campaign.

Vice Governor Myung Changhwan stated, "Each tree planted for Arbor Day is the first step toward passing down a green forest to future generations," and urged everyone to make every effort to prevent wildfires and protect these precious forests.