Gochang County to Host "Mudflat Birdwatching Camp" on October 11-12

Gochang Mudflat and Ungok Wetland Youth Hostel Area

Gochang County in North Jeolla Province will host the "Gochang Mudflat Birdwatching Camp" on October 11-12 at the Gochang Mudflat, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and the Ungok Wetland Youth Hostel area.

According to the county on August 29, this year's camp will be held under the theme "Mudflat Island Exploration," featuring migratory birdwatching activities and ecological education programs centered around the Gochang Mudflat, a World Natural Heritage site.

Gochang Mudflat Birdwatching Camp Mudflat Island Exploration Poster. Provided by Gochang County

The Gochang Mudflat Birdwatching Camp has been selected for the National Heritage Administration's World Heritage Utilization Program for two consecutive years. This year, it will be held twice, in May and October.

The May camp, held under the theme "Following the Breath of the Mudflat," saw the participation of 10 teams and 32 individuals. In the upcoming October camp, participants will receive orientation and theoretical training in birdwatching before heading out to the Gochang Mudflat to experience its ecosystem firsthand.

In particular, on Jukdo Island, a mudflat island in Gochang, participants will observe rocky shore organisms and take part in a soundscape experience, listening to the sounds of the mudflat and discovering its small forms of life.

Through these activities, participants are expected to gain a deep understanding of the ecological value of mudflats and the importance of their conservation, fostering their growth as future stewards of mudflat preservation.

Registration for the "Mudflat Island Exploration" program at the Gochang Mudflat Birdwatching Camp will open at 10 a.m. on September 8. Interested participants can apply via the QR code provided on the promotional poster. If there are many applicants, registration may close early.

Choi Soonpil, head of the county's World Heritage Division, stated, "The Gochang Mudflat is a precious ecological space home to a wide variety of organisms and serves as an important stopover for migratory birds. Through this birdwatching camp, I hope participants will experience the ecological value of the mudflat firsthand and gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of mudflat conservation."