Gochang County Recruiting Participants for "Mudflat Marine Debris Cleanup Competition"

Applications Open Until September 5
Participation Is Free of Charge

Gochang County in North Jeolla Province will begin recruiting participants for the "2025 Gochang Mudflat Marine Debris Cleanup Competition" starting from August 30.

According to the county on August 25, the event has been organized to raise awareness of the value of the Gochang mudflats as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, highlight the importance of mudflat conservation, and promote environmental protection efforts.

Recruitment Poster for Gochang Mudflat Marine Debris Cleanup Competition. Provided by Gochang County

The event will take place on September 27 at Oejukdo in Simwon-myeon, Gochang County, and around the Ramsar Gochang Mudflat Center. The main programs include: the Gochang Mudflat Marine Debris Cleanup Competition and awards ceremony; a lecture on marine debris issues and the power of citizen science; and a hands-on experience making cupcakes on Oejukdo.

Anyone interested in mudflat conservation who is in third grade or above in elementary school is eligible to apply. A total of 50 participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis, with teams consisting of three to five people. Applications can be submitted online from August 30 to September 5, and participation is free of charge.

The team that collects the heaviest amount of marine debris will receive the "Grand Prize," while the "Excellence Award" will be given to the team that collects the most foreign-origin debris or debris that has affected living organisms.

Choi Soonpil, Director of the World Heritage Division at the county, stated, "We expect to see further activation of scientific environmental management based on citizen participation and the protection of the mudflat ecosystem."