Reopening of YDP Insect Experience Learning Center Featuring Hercules Beetle, Burkiana Butterfly, and More

[Seoul District News] Yeongdeungpo-gu Offers Viewing and Experience of Various Insects and Animals Including 33 Species and 130 Insect Specimens; Free Trial Operation from February 21 to 28, Normal Operation from March 1 with 'Sonbadak Gonchungnara' Special Exhibition... Eunpyeong-gu Recruits Participants for Hyangrim Urban Agriculture Experience Garden Myeon

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chae Hyun-il) has completed the renovation of the YDP Insect Experience Learning Center and is entering a pilot operation phase.

The YDP Insect Experience Learning Center is located on the first floor of the Yeongdeungpo-gu Office annex building (80 Seonyu-dong 1-ro) with an area of 346.8㎡, providing a natural learning space where visitors can encounter rare insects and animals all in one place.

Visitors can see 33 species and 130 specimens of insects such as Hercules beetles and Burykiana butterflies, 23 species of live insects including two-spotted crickets, antlions, and black diving beetles, as well as 13 species of animals like bearded dragons and leopard geckos.

Since its opening in 2015, the facility had become outdated, but after remodeling the exhibits and visitor flow, it will begin pilot operation from the 21st.

The exhibition, which was previously focused on insect specimens, now features live insects and animals, allowing visitors to see and touch them directly for a hands-on learning experience.

Additionally, to provide a deeper experience, free insect interpretation (docent) services will be offered, along with various monthly and quarterly exhibition programs.

Coinciding with the reopening, a special exhibition titled “Palm-sized Insect World” will be held. Children can enjoy special hands-on experiences touching popular insects such as Hercules beetles, stag beetles, two-spotted crickets, flower chafers, and aquatic insects like diving beetles.

From the 21st to February 28th, the center will operate in pilot mode with free admission. Official operations will begin on March 1st, with hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The center will be closed on Lunar New Year, Chuseok, and Labor Day.

Both individuals and groups (20 or more) must make reservations in advance. Admission is free for infants over 18 months, persons with disabilities, and national merit recipients. For Yeongdeungpo residents, individual admission is 3,000 KRW and group admission is 2,000 KRW. For others, individual admission is 5,000 KRW and group admission is 4,000 KRW.

Due to COVID-19, strict health protocols such as temperature checks and mandatory mask-wearing will be enforced.

Those interested in visiting can contact the YDP Insect Experience Learning Center for inquiries.

Chae Hyun-il, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “We are pleased to reopen the YDP Insect Experience Learning Center, where people can experience nature in the heart of the city,” and added, “We will continue to develop Yeongdeungpo-gu into a premium city where life and rest harmonize through the expansion of various leisure facilities.”

Eunpyeong-gu (District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) is recruiting participants for the “Hyangrim Urban Agriculture Experience Center Garden Plot Leasing,” where any resident can become an urban farmer and cultivate a garden, from March 2 to March 7.

The total number of garden plots available for lease is 210, each plot measuring 10㎡ including the ridges. Leasing is limited to one plot per household or community group.

The cultivation period runs from March 21 to November 30, and the usage fee remains the same as last year at 30,000 KRW per plot.

Applications can be submitted through the Eunpyeong-gu Office website under the menu ‘Citizen Participation - Application Reception Plaza - Garden Plot Leasing.’ For those who have difficulty applying online, assistance is available by visiting the Hyangrim Urban Agriculture Experience Center.

There are three types of garden plots: general garden plots, community garden plots, and consideration garden plots. General garden plots number 110 and are open to any citizen registered in Seoul. Community garden plots number 15 and are available only to groups of five or more registered in the district. Consideration garden plots number 85 and are designated for multicultural families, large families, persons with disabilities, and residents of Bulgwang 2-dong registered in the district.

Plot allocation will be conducted by computerized lottery on March 8, with results posted on the district office website on March 10.

Selected participants will receive training on March 19-20 at the Hyangrim Urban Agriculture Experience Center, covering usage methods and crop cultivation techniques.

To support novice urban farmers, urban agriculture experts will be assigned as mentors to community garden plots to provide guidance.

For further inquiries, please refer to the district website or contact the Urban Agriculture Team at the Parks and Greenery Division.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, stated, “The Hyangrim Urban Agriculture Experience Center gardens are popular among local residents, providing opportunities to experience farming in the city and enjoy happy times with family,” and added, “We hope many citizens will participate to make this a vibrant and enjoyable urban agriculture experience center.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.